BSU Designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Program Helps Contribute to Protecting the National Information Infrastructure

 

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – It has been documented and widely believed that the United States is becoming increasingly vulnerable to information warfare attacks. Bowie State University’s recent designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) positions its students as prime recruits to serve on the front lines to protect the nation.

The National Security Agency has validated Bowie State’s undergraduate computer science degree with specialization in cybersecurity as a program of excellence through academic year 2027. This new designation certifies that the BSU program meets enhanced academic and research standards to help expand the cybersecurity workforce. BSU was first recognized by NSA as a center of academic excellence in 2015 under an earlier certification program.

“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,” said Karen Leuschner, National CAE Program Manager at the National Security Agency (NSA). “The United States government will continue to invest in and enhance programs that build the domestic talent pipeline, from primary through post-secondary education.”

In the next five years, Bowie State University will maintain and expand its rigorous cybersecurity curriculum reflecting the knowledge skills areas prescribed NSA. The university will also partner with NSA on faculty and student research projects in cyber security to provide students with real-world experiences.

“We are also expected to mentor other HBCUs about the CAE-CD designation and assist them in becoming centers,” said Professor Rosemary Shumba, chair of the Department of Computer Science. “In addition, we will develop outreach activities to build awareness of cybersecurity in the community around us.”

The critical shortage of professionals in the United States with cybersecurity skills punctuates the importance of higher education as a solution to defending the nation’s cyber space.  A highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage.

“The CAE-CD designation will help attract and recruit students with the aptitude and interest in cyber security related fields to BSU,” said Professor Shumba. “Federal agencies and contractors directing employees to colleges and universities to meet cyber defense requirements will invariably direct them to CAE-CD designated institutions.”

Currently, there are 30 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity related fields at BSU.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.

About the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity
The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by NSA’s National Cryptologic School.  Federal partners include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer (DoD-CIO), and the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM).