Center of Academic Excellence

In April 2016, Augusta University received a Center of Academic Excellence designation, specifically in the area of Cyber Defense (CAE-CD). This designation is sponsored jointly by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security.

All regionally accredited two-year, four-year and graduate level institutions in the United States are eligible to apply for a Center of Academic Excellence designation.  The goal of the CAE-CD designation is to offer programs designed to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise. Augusta University’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences is in an elite class of higher education institutions, as less than 250 universities nationwide have the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation!

What does it take to be designated as a Center of Academic Excellence?

1. Establish a “Center” or Institute that focuses on cyber  defense/ information assurance; have a website for the “Center”
2. Establish a Cyber Defense Academic Program - mapped to NICE framework/knowledge units (diagram) courses for certificates; enrollment
3. Conduct Student-based Cyber Defense Research
4. Presence of Cyber Defense Faculty and Course Load
5. Cyber Defense Faculty participate in Research/Publications (professional societies, presentations, grants, student competitions/activities)
6. Cyber Defense is a Multi-Disciplinary Practice
7. Institution Information Security Plan
8. Establish Cyber Defense Outreach Programs 

Visit the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense to learn more about the Centers of Academic Excellence designation.