Drexel University has received a successful renewal of its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency (NSA). This renewal extends Drexel's esteemed, 20-year designation through 2029.
The goal of the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is to promote and support quality academic programs of higher learning that produce the nation’s cyber workforce which helps protect the National Information Infrastructure. As a longstanding Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), Drexel has proven to meet NSA’s high academic standards while fostering significant and continued community involvement, academic activities and institutional practices in cybersecurity.
In addition to its quality academic programs, the designation recognizes the University's Center for Cybersecurity Education, led by Steven Weber, PhD, vice provost for undergraduate curriculum & education and professor in the College of Engineering, in its commitment to advancing cybersecurity education and research.
“Our longevity with this program reflects the deep investment of our institution and the world-class expertise of our faculty in cybersecurity,” said Weber.
As Drexel’s official Point of Contact (PoC) for the NCAE-C program, he led the University’s participation in the multi-year reaccreditation process in collaboration with Co-PoC Chris Carroll, teaching professor and program director in the College of Computing & Informatics (CCI), and Chad Morris, senior director of research development in the College of Engineering.
As the CAE-CD validated program of record, the CCI Bachelor of Science in Computing & Security Technology (BSCST) program, under the direction of Carroll, is now recognized among the nation's premier interdisciplinary academic programs in cybersecurity. Offered as a full-time, on-campus bachelor's degree program or as an online, part-time degree completion program, the BSCST program arms students with hands-on, practical expertise in cybersecurity with options to select concentrations in computing technology or computing security.
“This designation reaffirms Drexel’s commitment to educating the next generation of our nation’s cybersecurity workforce,” said Isaac L. Auerbach Professor and CCI Dean Yi Deng, PhD. “I am deeply proud of our faculty for their hard work in achieving this prestigious recognition.”
Drexel University offers a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs in cybersecurity at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Additional CCI programs in cybersecurity include: the BS in Computer Science - Computer & Network Security Concentration (on campus); MS in Computer Security and Privacy (online and on campus); MS in Cybersecurity (online and on campus); Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Security and Privacy (online and on campus); and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Organizational Security (online and on campus). Related College of Engineering programs include the MS in Cybersecurity and the MS in Machine Learning.
Through the continued support of the NSA and commitment to academic excellence, Drexel will further its impact in cybersecurity education and strengthening the nation's cybersecurity defenses. For more information about Drexel's cybersecurity programs and initiatives, visit the Center for Cybersecurity Education.