The new campus facility will expand Full Sail’s existing emerging technologies footprint to elevate the university’s Cybersecurity and IT degree programs
WINTER PARK, Fla., April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Full Sail University announced the upcoming opening of the “Full Sail University IBM Cyber Defense Range powered by AWS and Cloud Range.” Set to open in April 2026, the new on-campus learning environment will allow students in the Cybersecurity Bachelor of Science Completion and Information Technology Bachelor of Science programs the opportunity to participate in live cybersecurity attack-and-defense exercises, conduct incident response practices, and apply classroom concepts within realistic simulations that mirror evolving real-world cybersecurity scenarios. This hands-on immersive facility will provide experiential learning opportunities aligned with current industry workforce demands.
“The IBM Cyber Campus is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world cybersecurity operations,” said Rene Plasencia, Florida lead account partner at IBM. We’re helping to strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline and give students some hands-on experience in realistic, enterprise-scale cyber environments.”
This exciting new space will showcase how IBM Cyber Campus leverages AWS’s secure, elastic cloud infrastructure, enabling Full Sail to deploy fully operational Security Operations Center (SOC) training environments. This multi-layered collaboration delivers an immersive, cloud-enabled learning experience that combines real-world cyber incident response simulations, and collaborative visualization environments aligned with National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) frameworks.
This education-to-workforce model establishes a training ground for advanced cybersecurity education, equipping students with hands-on experience similar to defending against realistic cybersecurity attack scenarios and accelerating the development of a skilled, job-ready cybersecurity talent pipeline.
“Our facility has been carefully curated in collaboration with our partners at IBM to enhance the depth of knowledge our students acquire while at Full Sail,” said Haifa Maamar, PhD., Executive Director of Emerging Technologies at Full Sail University. “The Full Sail University IBM Cyber Defense Range powered by AWS and Cloud Range strategically connects academic instruction with real-world, industry-specific application, developing the technical expertise, critical thinking, and collaborative capabilities required in today’s complex security environment. It represents a significant milestone for our Emerging Technologies programs and directly supports workforce readiness by creating clear pathways for our graduates to enter the cybersecurity industry.”
Housed within the university’s existing Emerging Tech Wing, the new Cyber Defense Range will feature:
- A 1,463+ square-foot learning environment
- 107.8 square feet of Absen 136″ screens
- 28 stations outfitted with 27-inch HP monitors, HP Elite desktops, and Thunderbolt Hubs to promote effortless connection to student laptops
- Simulated enterprise and cloud-based network environments
- Team based exercises and attack-defense scenarios
- Malware analysis and threat hunting
- Incident response and digital forensics simulations
Utilizing IBM’s advanced range of technologies, and powered by AWS and Cloud Range, Full Sail students will gain hands-on experience with the tools and techniques employed by industry professionals to monitor, detect, and mitigate cyber threats. The Full Sail University IBM Cyber Defense Range powered by AWS and Cloud Range will serve as a simulated, real-world cyber environment where students can practice defending networks, responding to cyber incidents, and testing security tools without risk to live systems. In addition to academic use, the range will host cybersecurity competitions, workshops, and training events for local businesses, government agencies, and partners.
“AWS proudly powers the Full Sail University IBM Cyber Defense Range, expanding access to world-class training that develops job-ready cybersecurity and IT professionals. As emerging technologies reshape our digital landscape and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, this collaboration demonstrates how strategic partnerships build the talent pipeline our industry demands,” said Faisal Hanafi, Director of Education and U.S. State and Local Government at AWS.
“Preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals requires more than classroom instruction,” said Debbie Gordon, CEO of Cloud Range. “Through this collaboration with IBM, AWS, and Full Sail University, students will have the opportunity to defend against actual cyber attacks in the simulated environment to develop the practical skills that future employers require. Hands-on experience in realistic cyber range environments ensures graduates enter the workforce with more than just certifications; they are equipped with real-world skills that align with what employers need today.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and official opening of the Full Sail University IBM Cyber Defense Range powered by AWS and Cloud Range is currently scheduled to take place on April 16, 2026.
About Full Sail University:
Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in entertainment media and emerging technologies. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has received numerous accolades throughout its 45-year history including most recently being named a 2026 “Top Game Design School” by The Princeton Review and featured in MovieMaker magazine’s “30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada” list for 2025. Full Sail University is a graduate and undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Technology. With over 100,000 graduates worldwide, Full Sail alumni have worked on countless award-winning projects with individual recognition including Oscar®, Emmy®, Grammy®, Addy®, and The Game Award honors.
Media Contact:
Casey Tanous, Public Relations Director, ctanous@fullsail.edu, 407-310-2497
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SOURCE Full Sail University
