Cochise College’s cybersecurity program has achieved validation by the National Security Agency (NSA) and a team of academic peers through 2027. Validation is a requirement for the National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity-designated programs. The CAE program aims to create a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with community colleges and universities that establishes standards for curriculum and academic excellence. This includes competency development among students and faculty, values community outreach and leadership in professional development, integration of cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines, and actively engaging in solutions to cybersecurity education challenges.
“Your ability to meet the increasing demands of the program validation will serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure,” the validation letter states. “A highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage. The United States government will continue to invest in and enhance programs that build the domestic talent pipeline, from primary through postsecondary education.”
Any student who pursues the cybersecurity associate degree at the college will have an NSA validated degree which makes them in high demand for employment. “The NSA validation of our program is an important distinction as it is a national recognition of a level of excellence we achieved,” added Michelle Higgs, cybersecurity program director at Cochise College. “This is very exciting for us. Our next step is to work on getting designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the NSA.” The NSA validation is the first phase for Cochise College to become a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up