安博体育

安博体育 Cybersecurity Center Earns National Designation

安博体育 has been named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the U.S. government for the role its cybersecurity programs are playing to help protect the nation鈥檚 critical information infrastructure.

The prestigious recognition came from the National Security Agency (NSA) as part of an initiative to validate programs of study and applies to the college鈥檚 Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics on the Palm Bay Campus.

NSA officials said the 安博体育 programs are playing an essential part in protecting the digital systems that make the country run.

The college 鈥渋s helping reduce the threats to our national security infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense as well as providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals,鈥� the NSA said in announcing the designation.

安博体育's Cybersecurity Center on the Palm Bay Campus supports Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree and College Certificate programs, with college officials calling the designation a sign of 安博体育鈥檚 growing prominence in the field.

鈥淭he honor is the result of years of hard work by the college to build a first-class cybersecurity program and the dedication of our superb faculty and staff who have made it happen. It really puts us on the educational map in this critical field, 鈥� said 安博体育 President Dr. Jim Richey.

Nicole Dyess, Program Manager for 安博体育鈥檚 Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, led the effort to gain the designation.

鈥淲hat makes this so valuable is that students now know they are studying the practices deemed most important by two of the largest cybersecurity employers in the world, the National Security Agency and Defense Department,鈥�  said Dyess.

鈥淭hat will make them highly employable to companies along the Space Coast, throughout Central Florida and beyond. It鈥檚 a huge step forward for our college.鈥�

Watch: Cybersecurity Designation's Impact

The new designation makes 安博体育 students eligible for a Defense Department cybersecurity scholarship program, which covers the cost of tuition, books and provides a stipend.

Enrollment in 安博体育鈥檚 Cybersecurity program is strong. Associate in Science Degree students in corresponding areas of study can also seamlessly transition to the Bachelor track upon graduation.

An 安博体育 Cybersecurity Industry Advisory Board that includes companies such as Northrup Grumman and L3 Harris provides input to the college on the program.

Experts from 安博体育 also go to high schools and middle schools to talk with students about cybersecurity careers.

For more information on the Cybersecurity Center, including related Bachelor, Associate and Certificate programs, visit easternflorida.edu/ccdf.

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