Event will connect students with industry leaders to tackle real-world cyber threats
Miami, Fla. (April 7, 2026) — As cybersecurity threats continue to rise and demand for skilled professionals reaches record levels, Miami Dade College (MDC) has partnered with Fortinet, Inc to host a Cybersecurity Hackathon on Friday, April 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., bringing together students, industry partners and South Florida’s tech community to engage in real-world cybersecurity challenges and develop innovative solutions to today’s most pressing digital security issues.
The event will be held at MDC’s North Campus and is free and open to all students, but pre-registration is required. Working media is welcome.
“Activities such as this one are a great way to expose individuals to the reality that cybersecurity is not a product but a process. At present, cybercrime is the greatest threat to any organization in the world,” said Mauricio Ardila, Major Account Manager at Fortinet.
According to industry reports, the global cybersecurity workforce gap exceeds 3.5 million unfilled positions, underscoring the urgent need for hands-on training and talent development. MDC’s hackathon aims to help bridge that gap by providing students with immersive, experiential learning opportunities that mirror the fast-paced environments of today’s cybersecurity field.
During the event, students will collaborate in teams, guided by industry mentors, to address simulated cybersecurity scenarios — from threat detection to risk mitigation — while competing for prizes and recognition. The hackathon will also feature a panel discussion with Clifford Payne, vice president of engineering at Tesys Networks, and Mario Diez, chief information officer for the city of Sweetwater.
“This event is about more than competition — it’s about preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals,” said Manuel Perez, dean of MDC’s School of Engineering Technology and Design (EnTec). “By working alongside industry experts and tackling real-world challenges, our students gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in one of today’s most critical and fastest-growing fields.”
Event highlights include:
- A student-focused cybersecurity hackathon featuring hands-on, real-world challenges
- Collaboration with industry partners and experienced mentors
- Opportunities for students to showcase their skills and compete for prizes
- Direct engagement with Miami’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem
- Panel discussion with industry experts
The Cybersecurity Hackathon is part of MDC’s broader commitment to expanding experiential learning and strengthening the pipeline of tech talent in South Florida. As Miami continues to position itself as an emerging technology hub, initiatives like this play a key role in aligning education with workforce needs. Visit https://www.mdc.edu/entec/ for more information about all programs from the School of Engineering Technology and Design.
Participants must bring their own laptops; no special software or tools are required. To learn more and to register, visit: https://luma.com/piiv5rhi
For more information, please contact Jorge Ortega, jortega2@mdc.edu.
WHAT: Miami Dade College Cybersecurity Hackathon
WHEN: Friday, April 10, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. / Register at: https://luma.com/piiv5rhi
WHERE: MDC North Campus, 11380 NW 27th Ave., Room 3249