Cybersecurity educationNSA launches cyber operations academic program
The NSA has launched National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Operations Program; the program is intended to be a deeply technical, inter-disciplinary, higher education program grounded in the computer science (CS), computer engineering (CE), or electrical engineering (EE) disciplines, with extensive opportunities for hands-on applications via labs and exercises
The National Security Agency (NSA) announced the establishment of a new National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Operations Program. The program is in support of the president’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Edcucation (NICE). The goal of NICE is to advance the goal of broadening the pool of skilled workers capable of supporting a cyber-secure nation.
The CAE-Cyber Operations program is intended to be a deeply technical, inter-disciplinary, higher education program grounded in the computer science (CS), computer engineering (CE), or electrical engineering (EE) disciplines, with extensive opportunities for hands-on applications via labs and exercises.
The first four schools to receive the Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations designation for the 2012-13 school year are Dakota State University in South Dakota, the Naval Postgraduate School in California, Northeastern University in Massachusetts, and the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.
The NSA says that the CAE-Cyber Operations program complements the existing Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance Education (CAE-IAE) and Research (CAE-R) programs, providing an emphasis on technologies and techniques related to specialized cyber operations (for example, collection, exploitation, and response), to enhance the national security posture of the United States. “These technologies and techniques are critical to intelligence, military and law enforcement organizations authorized to perform these specialized operations,” the NSA says.
“The nation increasingly needs professionals with highly technical cyber skills to help keep America safe today - and to help the country meet future challenges and adapt with greater agility,” said Steven LaFountain, an NSA technical leader involved with the program. “When it comes to national security, there is no substitute for a dedicated, immensely talented workforce,” he added. “This effort will sow even more seeds.”
For information on the Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and Research, visit the Information Assurance section of the NSA’s Web site.
