Angelo State University has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and will retain the honor at least through the 2029 academic year.
According to an ASU press release, only regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees and/or certificates are eligible for the CAE-CD designation. The first step is to have at least one degree or certificate designated a NSA Program of Study, and ASU's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in computer science degree earned that designation in June.
The goal of the National Centers of Academic Excellence program is to promote and support quality academic programs of higher learning that help produce the nation's cyber workforce. To earn the CAE-CD designation, an institution must also demonstrate that it engages in significant community involvement, academic activities and institutional practices in cybersecurity, including:
- Encouraging and supporting ethical behavior by students, faculty, administrators and professional staff.
- Enabling an environment in which students, faculty, administrators, professional staff and practitioners can share, interact and collaborate with others in the cybersecurity field.
- Demonstrating a commitment to address, engage and respond to current and emerging cybersecurity issues in the classroom, in the institution itself and outside the institution.
"This is a momentous achievement for Angelo State and our flourishing cybersecurity programs, and I congratulate all the faculty and staff who helped make it happen," said ASU President Ronnie Hawkins Jr. "Earning the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation puts us squarely in the national spotlight for cybersecurity higher education, which will enable us to recruit, educate and graduate an even larger number of future cybersecurity leaders. ASU alumni will be at the forefront of defending the security of our nation's vital infrastructure and institutions at the local, regional and national levels - and particularly in our critical region that provides a significant share of the food, fiber and fuel for the country."
In addition to the B.S. in computer science, the ASU Department of Computer Science offers a newer B.S. in cybersecurity, as well as a Master of Science in computer science with a cybersecurity concentration and a Certificate in Cybersecurity Technologies. Certificates in Cybersecurity and Cyber Crime Investigation are offered through the ASU Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice.
"We are proud of the accomplishment that Angelo State has been officially designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, recognizing our commitment to producing top-tier graduates in the field of computer science and cybersecurity," said Dr. Erdogan Dogdu, chair of the Computer Science Department. "This distinction affirms the quality and rigor of our programs as we continue to equip students with the skills needed to excel in cybersecurity and emerging technologies."
Additionally, ASU houses the state's first fully operational Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC) in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center for Cyber Intelligence, Innovation, and Security Studies. The RSOC is providing cybersecurity protection for 50-plus entities in the West Texas region, including cities, counties, critical infrastructure, medical facilities and school districts, as well as offering internship and employment opportunities for ASU students.
ASU also hosts annual summer Cyber Camps, Youth Cyber Roundup and Expo events for K-12 students, and Community Cybersecurity Symposia for local and regional businesses and mature populations, as well as providing assistance for local school districts with cybersecurity curriculum, CyberPatriot teams and faculty professional development.
More details on ASU's academic and and community cybersecurity programs are available at here.
