Lockheed Martin gives UCF $1.5M contribution for new cyber innovation lab

Lockheed Martin announced a $1.5-million contribution to the University of Central Florida (UCF) for the development of a new cyber innovation lab that will foster the next generation of cyber talent.

The Lockheed Martin Cyber Innovation Lab ensures that UCF remains on the forefront of educating and empowering the nation's future cyber experts. UCF provides graduates to aerospace and defense companies and its Cyber Defense Club is a three-time national champion in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.

"Our contribution is an investment in the future of students at UCF, the city of Orlando and the broader aerospace community," said Tom Warner, director of Lockheed Martin's Cyber Defense, Range and Resilience organization. "The nation is facing a challenge filling the pipeline of cyber talent, and we see it as our duty to partner with communities, our customers and academia to create resources that inspire and prepare young people for a career in this critical field."

"This state-of-the-art space will help better prepare our students to safeguard and strengthen our country's systems and networks," said UCF President, Dale Whittaker. "We are grateful for Lockheed Martin's vision and partnership as we work together to meet the cyber security workforce demands of the future."

The innovation lab will open its doors in early 2019 to more than 350 students participating in cyber programs at UCF, expanding the pipeline for the nation's future cyber talent. The 970-foot lab, which will be located in the atrium of UCF's Engineering I building, will serve as a learning hub, classroom and practice center for UCF's Cyber Defense Club. A public ribbon cutting ceremony and associated Cyber Security Summit is planned for February 2019.

To learn more about cyber at Lockheed Martin, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/cyber