USD Recognized by the US Government for Cyber Security Programs

This prestigious recognition program is managed and awarded by the US federal government – National Security Agency’s (NSA) National Cryptologic School. The program’s federal partners also include some of the biggest government agencies in the US, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), amongst others. Colleges and universities awarded this status meet rigorous criteria aligned to the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. Programs that are recognized as CAE prepare students to enter the cybersecurity workforce with the required set of skills, knowledge, and tools.

This honor has been awarded to USD’s MS in Cybersecurity Operations & Leadership and the MS in Cybersecurity Engineering programs. Both programs are 100% online and offered in the US and India.

“Being recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity is a testament to the strength and impact of our MS in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership program," said Academic Director Michelle Moore. "This designation highlights our dedication to delivering an education that not only meets national standards but also empowers our students to lead and innovate in the fast-paced world of cybersecurity." 

The MS in Cybersecurity Operations and Leadership program is designed for professionals looking to be leaders in the cybersecurity field. It equips learners with the skills to lead organizations in cyber law, policy, digital forensics, cryptography, risk management, and cyber intelligence.

The MS in Cybersecurity Engineering program focuses on the engineering aspects of software and hardware security. It prepares graduates to tackle security challenges faced by businesses and communities.

“The Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation indicates that your institution is helping to reduce threats to our national infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense, as well as providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals,” according to CAE. 

The National Security Agency (NSA) created the Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education program in 1999, later expanding it to cybersecurity. The Department of Homeland Security became a co-sponsor in 2004. Today, three different CAE-C designations are available: cyber defense, cyber research, and cyber operations. 

The NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework is an initiative by the US federal government’s Department of Homeland Security in collaboration with academia, industry leaders, and other government departments. The framework provides a standard definition of cybersecurity, a comprehensive list of cybersecurity tasks, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform those tasks. Educators can use the framework to create programs that are aligned with real-world job requirements in the cybersecurity space.