The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Wichita State University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). The designation, which applies through academic year 2024, is in recognition of the WSU College of Engineering’s graduate certificate in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity.

Such designations are awarded in support of the National Cyber Strategy, adopted in September 2018, which address the role of higher education in addressing a critical shortage of professionals with cybersecurity skills.

“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,” said Karen Leuschner, NSA National CAE program manager.

Wichita State will be formally recognized at a Nov. 20 ceremony during the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Conference in Phoenix.

“WSU College of Engineering is committed to being a leader in meeting private and public sector needs in cyber defense,” said Jan Twomey, associate dean of graduate studies, research and faculty success.

WSU’s graduate certificate in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity is taught by faculty from the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, who are experienced in cyber-physical systems, communications security, network security and cloud security.

“Besides recognizing the skills and knowledge of students in this certificate program, this designation also serves as a stamp of excellence on their transcripts and resume,” said Assistant Professor Sergio A. Salinas Monroy, coordinator of the certificate program.

The College of Engineering also offers a bachelor’s degree in applied computing with a cybersecurity emphasis. And there is a growing focus on community outreach designed to develop the next generation of cybersecurity specialists, led by the Wichita State Hub for Cyber Security Education and Awareness (HCEA). The HCEA hosts a monthly speaker series on issues in cybersecurity and supports a Cybersecurity Boot Camp for high school students each summer.

Future cybersecurity outreach efforts will feature an advanced cybersecurity range, to host coding and network penetration competitions, and support hands-on demonstrations to the public, civic groups, K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations.

“The future of cybersecurity education and workforce development in this area has never looked better,” said Joe Jabara, HCEA director.

Learn more about all cybersecurity programs at Wichita State.