Destin High Applied Cybersecurity · CTE Pathway

Built across four tech domains.
Run by Sharks.

Cybersecurity, AI, infrastructure, and quantum — taught the way they actually intersect in industry, not as four separate electives. Real labs, funded industry certifications, and a direct line to the jobs employers are hiring for now.

Explore the Pathway → Spot the Phish → See the Careers

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Aligned with

FLDOE // CompTIA // (ISC)² // AWS // NIST // MITRE ATT&CK

Year One // 2025–26 Founding Class

Students enrolled

97%

Sat for industry exams

Certifications earned

More industry certifications earned than students enrolled — in a program that opened its doors this school year.

Florida // CTE Pathway

DHS Cyber students unlock 4 Florida scholarships and an 18-credit diploma pathway not available to non-CTE students.

See Destin's Advantage

§01 Why This Pathway Matters

The stack employers are hiring for now.

Cybersecurity, AI, infrastructure, and quantum aren't separate tracks anymore — they're the same stack. Every modern attack, defense, and system touches all four. Students who can work across the stack will own the next decade.

Cybersecurity

$124K

US median pay for information security analysts. Top 10% earn $188K+ in finance, defense, and specialized sectors.

Source: U.S. BLS, May 2024

Artificial Intelligence

+34%

Data scientist projected growth, 2024–2034 — the fastest-growing computing role in the BLS outlook, driven by AI demand.

Source: U.S. BLS

Infrastructure

340K

Unfilled US data center positions right now, driven by the AI buildout. Data center engineers earn $84K–$240K.

Source: Uptime Institute / AFCOM, 2025

Quantum

$181K

Average US quantum computing salary. Job postings up 180% in four years, backed by $1.2B+ in federal workforce investment.

Source: National Quantum Initiative / Glassdoor, 2025

// Cybersecurity and AI figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 wage data, 2024–2034 employment projections). Infrastructure figures from Uptime Institute and AFCOM 2025 State of the Data Center Report. Quantum figures from the National Quantum Initiative Act and 2025 US salary data. Growth rates represent projected demand, not guaranteed future earnings — but the trend line is unambiguous.

§02 The Curriculum Stack

Four domains. One integrated stack.

Most high school tech programs teach cybersecurity as a single silo. We teach the four domains that actually interact in the real world — and we teach them as one stack, not four unrelated electives.

01 · Cybersecurity

Defense & Detection

The foundational domain. How attackers think, how systems get breached, and how modern organizations defend at scale.

Core skills — Network security, SIEM analysis, threat hunting, incident response
Hands-on tools — Wireshark, Kali Linux, Burp Suite, TryHackMe, HackTheBox
Real work — Packet analysis, blue-team exercises, CTF challenges

Certs aligned Security+ · CySA+

02 · Artificial Intelligence

AI Systems & ML Security

How modern AI works, where it breaks, and how to defend systems that depend on it — now the majority of them.

Core skills — ML fundamentals, prompt injection defense, adversarial ML thinking
Hands-on tools — Python, scikit-learn, LLM APIs, adversarial toolkits
Real work — Build a phishing-detector model; red-team an LLM application

Certs aligned Azure AI Fundamentals · ITS AI

03 · Infrastructure

Networks & Cloud

Every defense starts with understanding the systems being defended. Networks, cloud architecture, and the operational layer.

Core skills — Networking fundamentals, cloud architecture, Linux administration, Docker
Hands-on tools — AWS, Cisco Packet Tracer, Linux command line, Docker
Real work — Build and defend a zero-trust lab environment

Certs aligned Network+ · AWS Cloud Practitioner

04 · Quantum Fundamentals

Post-Quantum Thinking

Emerging, but unavoidable. The quantum threat to current encryption is real, and the students who understand it first are the ones who'll design the next layer.

Core skills — Quantum basics, the quantum threat to RSA, post-quantum algorithms
Hands-on tools — IBM Qiskit, quantum simulators, NIST post-quantum standards
Real work — Demonstrate Shor's algorithm; test a post-quantum signature scheme

Certs aligned Emerging — pilot track

Interactive Drill // 10 emails · ~3 minutes

Spot the phish before it spots you.

Ten emails. Some are real. Some are bait. The same drill DHS Cyber students run on day one — built in-house from real attack patterns, including the principal-impersonation scam that has cost Florida districts millions.

Play the drill → No sign-in · Plays on phone

Netflix Support

support@netflix-billing-secure.com

2:14 AM

URGENT: Your account has been suspended

We were unable to validate your billing information. To restore access, verify your account immediately within 24 hours or your subscription will be permanently terminated.

3 phishing tells in this email

§03 Where This Takes You

Real careers. Real demand.

Six roles current Destin students can realistically aim for after the pathway, a degree, and a few years of experience. Wages and growth are national medians — Florida tech hubs track closely.

Security · Core

Information Security Analyst

$124,910 median annual

Projected growth+29%

EntryBachelor's

AI · Fastest Growth

Data Scientist

$112,590 median annual

Projected growth+34%

EntryBachelor's

Infrastructure

Computer Network Architect

$130,390 median annual

Projected growth+12%

EntryBachelor's

AI · Research

Computer & Information Research Scientist

$140,910 median annual

Projected growth+26%

EntryMaster's

Leadership

IT Systems Manager

$171,200 median annual

Projected growth+15%

EntryBachelor's + experience

Engineering

Software Developer

$132,270 median annual

Projected growth+17%

EntryBachelor's

// Salary and growth data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 wage data, 2024–2034 employment projections). Growth percentages shown as proportional to the fastest-growing role in the set. Figures are medians — real compensation varies by region, specialization, and experience.

§04 What Students Build

Work that goes in the portfolio.

Capstone projects are where the pathway becomes real. Industry certifications are where it becomes hireable. Students graduate with both.

Example Capstone Directions

5 Projects

01

CTF Platform

Build a capture-the-flag challenge system with categories across web, crypto, and forensics — the kind of platform the program uses internally.
02

Phishing-Detector LLM

Train and deploy a language model that identifies phishing emails by content, context, and sender behavior.
03

Zero-Trust Lab

Design and operate a small network that enforces zero-trust principles — no implicit trust, verify every transaction.
04

Post-Quantum Crypto Demo

Implement a working demonstration of a NIST post-quantum algorithm and compare it to today's standard encryption.
05

Adversarial ML Toolkit

Build a small toolkit that demonstrates common ML attacks — data poisoning, evasion, and model extraction.

Note — These are example capstone directions, not a fixed list. Students propose their own projects each year with instructor guidance, so this set evolves as the industry does.

Industry Certifications

Program-aligned

T+

CompTIA Tech+ Foundation

A+

CompTIA A+ Foundation

N+

CompTIA Network+ Core

S+

CompTIA Security+ Core

AWS Cloud Practitioner Cloud Foundation

Azure AI Fundamentals AI Foundation

Why this stack — Every certification listed is on the 2025–26 Florida CAPE Industry Certification Funding List (Information Technology cluster). Security+ specifically is on the Department of Defense's 8570.01-M approved certifications list. Each cert generates state FEFP funding for the school when earned.

§05 After Graduation

Three paths. One program.

The pathway is designed to leave every option open — direct entry to work, a two-year associate's, or a four-year bachelor's. Certifications carry weight on all three routes.

Path 01

Direct to Work

Walk out of DHS with industry-recognized certifications and enter the workforce immediately. Lowest-cost, fastest-earning option.

Entry Roles

SOC Analyst (Tier 1) IT Support Specialist Jr. Network Technician Help Desk Lead

Next Steps

Continue stacking certifications while working. Security+ → CySA+ → CISSP is a well-traveled career ladder. Many employers will pay for further certs and degrees.

Starting range $45K – $65K

Path 02

Two-Year College

Pursue an associate's in cybersecurity, IT, or computer science — with the certifications already in hand, students finish fast and transfer if they want.

Nearby Options

Northwest Florida State College Pensacola State Gulf Coast State

Next Steps

Transfer into a four-year program with two years of credit — significant tuition savings — or move directly into higher-tier roles with the AS in hand.

Mid-range roles $60K – $90K

Path 03

Four-Year University

Pursue a bachelor's in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field. Certifications make applications competitive and scholarships more accessible.

Strong Programs

UWF UCF FSU USF Embry-Riddle

Next Steps

Apply for NSF CyberCorps, DoD SMART Scholarship, and other federal programs that pay full tuition in exchange for government service — many open to students with certifications.

Post-grad median $90K – $125K

What's Next

The future of tech starts here.

Four domains. One program. Every path open. This is how you prepare Destin students for the careers employers are actually hiring for.

Try the work → See Destin's Advantage

Destin's Advantage

Why our students get more options.

Florida rewards students who choose Career and Technical Education with scholarships, diploma pathways, and credentialing benefits that non-CTE students don't qualify for. The DHS Cyber pathway is the highest-leverage way to access them. Here's the math.

§01 The Numbers

What CTE students unlock.

Four state-funded scholarship awards, an alternative diploma pathway, and direct credit transfer to Florida's college system. None of these are available to non-CTE students by the same path.

Bright Futures awards

FAS, FMS, GSC, and GSV — CTE students qualify for awards through pathways non-CTE students can't access.

CTE diploma credits

Florida's CTE Pathway diploma requires 18 credits instead of 24 — a faster route that recognizes industry certification work.

Cost to student for certs

Industry certification exams are funded for K-12 students through Florida's CAPE program — including up to 3 funded attempts per exam each school year, so a missed pass doesn't cost a year.

AS / BS

Direct college pathway

CTE certs articulate directly into Associate in Science and Bachelor's of Applied Science programs at Florida colleges, often with credit transferred.

§02 Side by Side

CTE student vs non-CTE student.

Same student, same GPA, same Florida residency. The only difference: one chose a CTE pathway. The eligibility doors that open are not equivalent.

Eligibility	Non-CTE Student	DHS Cyber Student
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) 100% tuition + fees at FL public university	✓	✓
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) 75% tuition + fees at FL public university	✓	✓
Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC) Per-credit award for AS / BS / BAS programs · industry-cert-based	—	✓
Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) Per-credit award for AS / Certificate / ATD programs · CTE-coursework-based	—	✓
18-credit CTE Pathway diploma Standard diploma with 2 CTE credits + 2 work-based learning credits, 2.0 GPA	—	✓
State-funded industry certification testing Free exam vouchers for CAPE-listed certs (CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, etc.) · up to 3 funded attempts per exam per school year	—	✓
Industry-certification credit articulation CTE certs convert to college credit in Florida AS / BAS / certificate programs (a different path than AP/IB/AICE academic credit)	—	✓
Industry credentials on transcript at graduation Portable, employer-recognized certifications visible to college admissions and employers	—	✓

// Two scholarships (FAS, FMS) are available to all academically qualified Florida students. Two more (GSC, GSV) are only available through CTE pathways. Most colleges allow students to receive both an academic award (FAS or FMS) AND a CAPE/Vocational award if eligible — meaning CTE students can stack benefits non-CTE students cannot access at all.

// AP, IB, and AICE students: these pathways have their own articulation routes for academic college credit and are valuable in their own right. CTE is complementary, not competing — many DHS Cyber students take AP courses alongside their CTE coursework and graduate with both academic credit AND industry certifications. The two paths add up; they don't cancel out.

§03 The Four Bright Futures Awards

Florida's scholarship stack.

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program offers four distinct awards, each with its own eligibility path and payout structure. CTE students access all four; non-CTE students access only the first two.

FAS · Academic Scholars

100% tuition + fees

The most competitive Bright Futures award. Pays full tuition and applicable fees at Florida public universities for up to 120 credit hours.

Requirements

GPA3.5 weighted
Test scores1330 SAT, 29 ACT, or 95 CLT
Service100 hours (or 100 paid)
Coursework16 specific high school credits

Available to All Florida students who meet academic criteria

FMS · Medallion Scholars

75% tuition + fees

The second-tier Bright Futures award. Pays 75% of tuition and applicable fees at Florida public universities.

Requirements

GPA3.0 weighted
Test scores1190 SAT, 24 ACT, or 82 CLT
Service75 hours (or 100 paid)
Coursework16 specific high school credits

Available to All Florida students who meet academic criteria

GSC · Gold Seal CAPE Scholars

~$48 / credit hour

CTE-specific award recognizing industry certifications. Pays per-credit awards toward Associate in Science, Bachelor's of Science, and Bachelor's of Applied Science programs — exactly what the DHS Cyber pathway delivers.

Requirements

GPA3.0 unweighted
Industry cert≥1 CAPE-listed certification
Service30 hours (or 100 paid)
Test scoresNone required

Available to CTE students with industry certifications

GSV · Gold Seal Vocational Scholars

~$48 / credit hour

The original CTE scholarship. Pays per-credit awards toward AS, certificate, and Applied Technology Diploma programs.

Requirements

GPA (CTE)3.5 unweighted in CTE courses
GPA (overall)3.0 weighted in non-electives
CTE credits3 full credits in one program
Test scoresSAT 490R/480M, ACT 19R/17E/19M, or PERT
Service30 hours (or 100 paid)

Available to CTE students completing 3 credits in one program

// Award amounts shown reflect 2025-26 rates published by Florida postsecondary institutions and are subject to annual legislative adjustment. Eligibility requirements are determined by the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) and are subject to change with each legislative session.

§04 Verify Yourself

Don't take our word for it. Read the statute.

Every claim on this page is sourced from official Florida Department of Education documents, Florida statutes, or Bright Futures program publications. Verify any of it directly.

Official Source

Florida Bright Futures

The official Bright Futures Scholarship Program website. Eligibility requirements, application instructions, award amounts, and program updates.

floridabrightfutures.gov →

FLDOE / OSFA

Bright Futures Eligibility (FAS/FMS)

Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance — official eligibility chart for Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholars awards.

PDF →

Florida Statute

F.S. 1003.4282 — Diploma Requirements

Florida Statute defining the standard high school diploma, the 24-credit option, and the 18-credit CTE Pathway option. Authoritative source for diploma requirements.

flsenate.gov →

FLDOE

FLDOE Graduation Requirements

Florida Department of Education's official page on the five graduation pathway options, including the CTE Pathway and ACCEL options.

fldoe.org →

FLDOE / CAPE

CAPE Industry Certification Program

Florida's Career and Professional Education program — the basis for funded industry certification testing in K-12 schools. Source for the 2025-26 CAPE Industry Certification Funding List.

fldoe.org →

Florida Statute

F.S. 1002.3105 — ACCEL Options

Florida Statute governing the 18-credit Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) graduation option, distinct from the CTE Pathway diploma.

flsenate.gov →

Destin High // Try It

Stop reading. Start doing.

Cybersecurity is a hands-on field. The best way to understand what students do here is to do it yourself. Each drill is a real concept SOC analysts and security pros use every day — built for browser, no install, no signup.

§01 Phishing Triage Drill

Spot the phish.

Phishing is the #1 entry point for real-world cyber attacks. SOC analysts triage emails like these every shift. Ten emails — your job is to flag the malicious ones. See how a Destin Cyber student trains.

Emails to triage

Minutes to play

// All emails are educational examples. No real links, no real data collection.

§02 Password Audit Drill

How long would your password last?

Type a password (don't use a real one) and watch it get scored live — entropy, character set, weakness tells, and how long an actual attacker would take to crack it. The same scoring model real password breach tools use.

Test a password

Type to begin

Length

Charset

—

Entropy

0 bits

Online attack (throttled, 100/sec) —

Offline attack, slow hash (10K/sec) —

Offline attack, fast hash (10B/sec) —

Weakness tells

Type a password to see analysis

§03 Cipher Decoder Drill

Crack the Caesar shift.

Each message is shifted by a number of letters in the alphabet. Find the right shift and the message decodes itself. Used by Roman generals 2,000 years ago — easy to crack today, but the foundation of every modern cipher you'll learn next, including the post-quantum ones.

Messages to crack

// Use the shift wheel to decode each message. Lock in your answer when it reads correctly.

The stack employers are hiring for now.

Four domains. One integrated stack.

Defense & Detection

AI Systems & ML Security

Networks & Cloud

Post-Quantum Thinking

Spot the phish before it spots you.

Real careers. Real demand.

Information Security Analyst

Data Scientist

Computer Network Architect

Computer & Information Research Scientist

IT Systems Manager

Software Developer

Work that goes in the portfolio.

Example Capstone Directions

CTF Platform

Phishing-Detector LLM

Zero-Trust Lab

Post-Quantum Crypto Demo

Adversarial ML Toolkit

Industry Certifications

Three paths. One program.

Direct to Work

Two-Year College

Four-Year University

The future of tech starts here.

Where the hands-on happens.

CAPE-funded certs in the Information Technology cluster.

Foundation // First-year entry credentials

Core // Mid-pathway industry credentials

Specialization // Domain-aligned options across the four pillars

Advanced // Stretch credentials for fast-moving students

Where to actually study for the certs.

Where the jobs actually are.

Market Data // Wages, demand, growth projections

Job Boards // Where to actually look for the work

Build a tech resume that actually gets read.

The working stack we use in class.

What to read this week.

What CTE students unlock.

CTE student vs non-CTE student.

Florida's scholarship stack.

Don't take our word for it. Read the statute.

Spot the phish.

How long would your password last?

Crack the Caesar shift.

Meet the Instructor.

Jimaco “JC” Hollis