National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense - CAE-CD

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The National Security Agency and the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity have designated STLCC as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD). The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise. 

Here is what the National CAE-CD Program Manager of the NSA said about our designation and the importance of cybersecurity:

“Your ability to meet the increasing demands of the program criteria will serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure. The Presidents’ National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, February 2003, and the International Strategy for Cyberspace, May 2011, addresses the critical shortage of professionals with these skills and highlights the importance of higher education as a solution to defending America’s cyberspace. Like all nations, the United States has a compelling interest in defending its vital national assets, as well as our core principles and values, and we are committed to defending against those who would attempt to impede our ability to do so. Education is the key to promoting these ideals.”

Goal

The goal of the Center of Academic Excellence Information Assurance (IA)/Cyber Defense (CD) for Two-year Education program is to proactively increase our understanding of robust IA/CD technology, policy and practices that will enable our Nation to effectively prevent and respond to a catastrophic cyber event. This program will contribute significantly to the advancement of state-of-the-art IA/CD knowledge and practice.

Vision

The vision for this program is to:

• Provide programs that commit to excellence in the field of Information Assurance and Cyber Defense education at community and technical college and government training institutions.
• Provide innovative, comprehensive and multidisciplinary education and training in the IA/CD field.
• Strengthen the cybersecurity workforce by providing IA/CD education and training through degree and certification programs at community and technical colleges and government training centers.
• Build an effective education pipeline model with K-12 schools to encourage students at an early age to enter IA/CD fields of study.
• Provide the Nation with a pipeline of qualified students poised to become the future skilled technical workforce.
• Continuously improve the quality of IA/CD programs, curriculum faculty, students and other institutions.

Cybersecurity Resources

Contact Information

For more information or questions, please contact:

Craig Chott, CISSP
Associate Professor
cchott@stlcc.edu