The Florida Senate, led by Senator Burgess, has passed a resolution recognizing CyberBay as a designated cybersecurity and artificial intelligence innovation region within the Tampa Bay area. This resolution highlights Florida's national leadership in cybersecurity preparedness and digital defense, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in safeguarding the state's economic and digital security. The Tampa Bay region is noted for its significant concentration of military, defense, intelligence, and security operations, particularly anchored by MacDill Air Force Base, which contributes to its status as a center of excellence for cybersecurity and technology innovation.

CyberBay is described as a collaborative ecosystem that integrates military, government, academia, and private sector efforts to enhance cybersecurity readiness and workforce development. The University of South Florida plays a pivotal role in this initiative through the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, which focuses on preparing the next generation of professionals in these fields. The resolution also acknowledges the contributions of private individuals and organizations in establishing CyberBay, which aims to create high-paying technology jobs and strengthen Florida's economic competitiveness while addressing emerging cyber threats. The Senate affirms the necessity of ongoing collaboration among various stakeholders to bolster Florida's cybersecurity and artificial intelligence capabilities.