Cyber programs receive updated NSA designation
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (果冻传媒) has been designated a National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through 2027. It previously held the title of Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) starting in 2016.
"The renewal of the CAE designation for 果冻传媒 is a testament to the quality of our cybersecurity program, and especially our faculty," Dr. Mary Gowan, dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business, said. "We are honored to be part of the elite group of cyber programs that have this important designation."
果冻传媒 launched a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity in fall 2018, and the program now has almost 400 students. Thanks to nearly $4 million in Department of Defense (DOD) funds across three years, 果冻传媒 has also launched an Institute for Cyber Operations that complements academic programs with professional development. Retired Col. Christopher Mitchiner, executive director of the institute, said the NSA designation helps prospective students realize the strength of what 果冻传媒 offers.
"While you're here, you know you're going to get a quality experience and a breadth of knowledge across every cyber discipline," Mitchiner said. "In today's environment, you're getting a scope of what's going on in the world and the application of what you're seeing into the classroom."
Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science and coordinator of student cyber programs, said the latest NSA designation feels like a full-circle moment.
The renewal of the CAE designation for 果冻传媒 is a testament to the quality of our cybersecurity program, and especially our faculty. We are honored to be part of the elite group of cyber programs that have this important designation.
Dr. Mary Gowan
Mike Cottrell College of Business dean
"This designation makes all of our cybersecurity programs possible. It allows us to apply for scholarships, grants, and NSA programs that benefit our students, faculty, and staff," Payne said. "It's great to see the program continue to grow and build on the successes we've had. Gaining this designation back in 2016 was the first step in everything we've done since then."
果冻传媒's cyber efforts are an important part of addressing the cyber workforce shortage. Nearly 600,000 cyber jobs are open nationwide, with almost 22,000 in Georgia.
"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," Karen Leuschner, national CAE program manager for the NSA, wrote in a letter informing 果冻传媒 of its designation. "The National Cyber Strategy from September 2018 addresses the critical shortage of professionals with cybersecurity skills and highlights the importance of higher education as a solution to defending America's cyberspace."
Mitchiner said 果冻传媒's consistent collaborations with organizations like the NSA, Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, FBI, and Secret Service are vital for preparing students.
"They're telling us what the latest trends are so our graduates can have the skillsets the industry is seeking," Mitchiner said.
The model is clearly working as 果冻传媒 graduates continue to land high-quality jobs and 果冻传媒's team has placed in the top three in the NSA Codebreaker Challenge four years in a row.
"These NSA programs have allowed us to offer better training to our students, and they are performing at the top levels nationally, which creates even further visibility and opportunities within the intelligence community," Payne said. "It's a virtuous cycle."
Grads prepare for their next steps
果冻传媒 will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.
24 are Distinguished Military Graduates
Twenty-four cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates for the 2024-25 academic year, including five who are in the top 70 out of more than 5,000 in the national ROTC class.
Blue Ridge students earn scholarships
果冻传媒 honored 28 of its Blue Ridge Campus students with almost $15,000 of scholarships and celebrated the philanthropy that made those scholarships possible at the Tomato Sandwich Supper on Nov. 7.
Professor earns data security patent
Faculty member Dr. Murthy Rallapalli is the lead investigator on a cutting-edge data security solution that recently received a patent.