UNLV: First Nevada Institution to become
the NSA National Center of Academic Excellence
in Information Assurance
The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated UNLV as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance Education for the academic years of 2008–2013. This shows that UNLV is one of the national leaders in cyber security education and research.
Recognizing the importance and emerging demands of Information Assurance education and research, a large number of US institutions have been developing the curriculum on information security. However, only 93 institutions from 37 states have received the designation so far. UNLV has now become the first and only university in Nevada to receive the designation.
This recognition resulted from faculty efforts within the UNLV School of Informatics in the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering. Professor Ju-Yeon Jo played the leadership role in leading the curriculum development effort in information security courses. According to Hal Berghel, Director of the School of Informatics, "CAE status has always been one of the key objectives that I've had for the School since its inception a few years ago. However, without Ju-Yeon's bravura performance we wouldn't have achieved this recognition for years to come. The NSA requirements are exacting and compliance is extremely time-consuming. Just the CNSS course articulation alone took Ju-Yeon the better part of 3 months."
Founded in 2006, the UNLV School of Informatics provides an academic path for students who are interested in a career in digital security (aka, cybersecurity). This designation makes students eligible to apply for scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program and the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program. Approximately 1/3 of the inaugural class of undergraduate majors have indicated an interest in a career in some area of cybersecurity. The School of Informatics opened its doors to the first class of undergraduate majors in Fall, 2007.
"This is an incredible achievement for the University, the community and the State," Berghel said, "and one that elevates all of us in the eyes of the professional security and intelligence community. It is literally the case that NSA recognitions like the CAE designation are the hallmark of educational institutions that are to be taken seriously by these communities. And Professor Ju-Yeon Jo is the critical element in this success."
In June, 2007, UNLV was also formally recognized by the NSA and DHS for having its security courseware articulated by both agencies. These certificates were prior requirements to achieve CAE designation. The cybersecurity concentration is just one of many multidisciplinary programs offered by the UNLV School of Informatics.
The NSA press release stating UNLV becomes one of the centers can be found at: http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/press_room/2008/cae.shtml
Prof. Jo attended the CAE designation ceremony on behalf of UNLV in Dallas, Texas. Shown with her are Mr. David Wennergren, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Information Management & Technology and DoD Deputy Chief Information Officer, and Ms. Brenda Oldfield, Directory of Education, Training & Workforce Development for the Department of Homeland Security.
in Information Assurance Education
