ReliaQuest Labs Program connects USF students to high-demand cybersecurity careers - University of South Florida

Of the 110 students who showed up in suits and ties at the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing offices over three days this week, 58 were selected to join the 2026 ReliaQuest Labs program. The competitive, hands-on program, open to junior-, senior- or graduate-level students provides real-world experience with industry-leading cybersecurity technologies and the fundamentals of network infrastructure. Applications for the program were up more than 35% from 2025, reflecting both rising student interest in this exciting field and just a third of them were selected for the in-person interview. Those landing a spot in the program will learn how to perform in-depth analysis on potential cyber threats and use industry tools, including ReliaQuest's proprietary security operations platform GreyMatter. “Programs like ReliaQuest Labs give our students a critical bridge between theory and practice,” said Sudeep Sarkar, launch dean of the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. “By working directly with industry professionals and real-world tools, students gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed in an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape.” More than 300 USF students have graduated from the ReliaQuest Labs program since it began in 2018, originally led by the Muma College of Business but open to students of any major. Participants receive a Certificate of Completion in Cyber Analytic Fundamentals and can interview for either a paid internship or full-time position with ReliaQuest. Widespread cybercrime and cyber insecurity are among the most severe risks organizations face globally over the next decade and beyond, according to the Cybersecurity Forecast 2026 from Google. Cybersecurity will continue to evolve as both organizations and malicious actors adopt more advanced technologies, according to the report. System defenders are increasingly using artificial intelligence, including agentic AI, to respond to more complex cybercrime, long-running nation-state activity, and attackers will leverage AI to increase the speed and scale of their operations. These are the growing conditions that face graduates when they enter the job market, and the annual ReliaQuest Labs program is designed to meet those needs. Selected interns complete online, module-based assignments and gather weekly at ReliaQuest's Tampa headquarters. While there, they are evaluated on each week's topics and engage in lectures and simulated exercises designed to reinforce and apply key concepts. Following graduation, about 90% of students who complete the program are offered jobs with ReliaQuest and other cybersecurity teams with major employers. “This partnership is part of the Bellini College's commitment to preparing students for high-impact careers in cybersecurity,” Sarkar said. “When education and industry work together, students gain the necessary experience that sets them apart in a competitive high-tech workforce.”