Cumberlands Named National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

University of the Cumberlands (UC) was recently named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“We are excited and proud that after the NSA and DHS vetted our curriculum, faculty, and University, it was determined that University of the Cumberlands is a national leader in cybersecurity education,” said Dr. Donnie Grimes, chair of UC’s School of Computer and Information Sciences and vice president for information services.

The overall objective of CAE-CD designations is to reduce national vulnerability by “promoting higher education and research in cyber defense” and by producing professionals with cyber expertise, according to the NSA’s website. Students graduating from CAE-CD institutions are often more sought after by government and military organizations for employment.

“The designation of a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense education is the result of a year of hard work by the faculty and staff in the School of Computer and Information Sciences, but is bestowed on all faculty, staff, and students at the University,” Grimes said. “We are especially excited about the employment opportunities that will be available to our students because of this recognition.”

There are just over 200 universities nationwide with CAE-CD designations and only two other universities in Kentucky are included in that elite group.

The School of Computer and Information Sciences at UC works to provide students with technical skills and general knowledge in the field of information technology, while prioritizing intellectual research and resources for students to utilize in real-world settings. At UC, both undergraduate and graduate students study to enter a field that the U.S. Department of Labor predicts will have between 3.9 and 4.4 million available jobs by 2024.

Faculty and staff from the School of Computer and Information Sciences will be awarded the official CAE-CD designation at the Ninth Annual Cyber Summit in Huntsville, Alabama, this summer.

Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, University of the Cumberlands is an institute of regional distinction that currently offers four undergraduate degrees in more than 40 major areas of study; 10 pre-professional programs; 10 graduate degrees distributed over eight areas, including two doctorates and seven master’s degrees; certificates in education; and online programs.