Palm Beach State College announces $1 million in federal funding for AI and Cybersecurity Center

Palm Beach State College's Lake Worth campus. [Photo by Palm Beach State College]

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel joined Palm Beach State College leaders and students to announce more than $1 million in federal funding for a new Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Training Center at PBSC's Lake Worth campus.

The funding will also support the launch of Palm Beach County's first cyber range, a virtual training environment where students and professionals can practice responding to cyberattacks without risking real systems or sensitive data.

"This investment will help ensure Palm Beach County has the skilled workforce it needs right here at home," Frankel said.

The cyber range will serve PBSC students and is expected to provide training for school district employees, teachers, municipal workers and local law enforcement agencies across the county.

PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D., said the center will prepare students for careers in two of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.

"This center is more than a building or a lab — it's a promise to our students, our community and our future workforce," Parker said. "It will serve as a hub for innovation, hands-on learning and collaboration with industry leaders."

The new center will provide hands-on learning in applied artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, with a focus on protecting data, strengthening digital systems and responding to rising cyber threats. PBSC students will be trained for careers including cybersecurity analyst, information security specialist, security operations center analyst and AI technician.

Federal funds will be used to purchase cybersecurity lab equipment, virtual cyber range platforms, network security hardware, monitoring tools, high-performance workstations and AI development software.

The announcement marks a significant step in addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity fields, while providing Palm Beach County residents with access to cutting-edge training resources.