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Innovation at Central has received national attention once again, with its recent designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) by the National Security Agency (NSA).
Central is one of only 22 institutions nationwide that hold the CAE-CO designation, and it is the only institution in New England to be designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education CAE-CD and a CAE-CO. The designation is valid through the 2029 academic year.
Central’s Bachelor of Science program in Cybersecurity provides a strong foundation in networking and computer science that prepares students to become highly qualified computing professionals. Students can choose the general option, which requires a minor, or pursue one of the in-depth concentrations aligned with the content focus areas recommended by the NSA.
“Central has been on the forefront of academic innovation in higher education. This national designation validates the forward thinking of our faculty and their efforts to integrate real-world challenges into the curriculum,” said Central President Zulma R. Toro. “I am excited for our students and look forward to seeing how they benefit from this designation.”
Cybersecurity Center co-coordinator Dr. Chad Williams noted, “This distinction is a testament to the expertise of the faculty of Central. It gives students the unique opportunity to start their degree in Cybersecurity and choose which specialty best aligns with their developing interest rather than being limited to just one option.”
The mission of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program is to create a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with selected partners in higher education. The program aims to establish cybersecurity curriculum standards; integrate cybersecurity practices across academic disciplines; and find solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education, among other goals.
The Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) designation is awarded to institutions that offer deeply technical, interdisciplinary higher education programs, grounded in the computer science, computer engineering, and/or electrical engineering disciplines, with opportunities for hands-on applications via labs and exercises.