USNA CYBER OPERATIONS PROGRAM GRANTED NSA DESIGNATION IN CYBER DEFENSE

  POSTED ON: Friday, July 21, 2023 10:49 AM by USNA Cyber Science Department

The Naval Academy cyber operations program was recently granted the National Security Agency (NSA) designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) on June 9, 2023.

The Naval Academy’s cyber operations program is one of only 20 colleges and universities nationwide to hold the NSA CAE-CO and 366 that hold the cyber defense (CD) designation. The Cyber Operations major is also accredited by ABET, placing the Naval Academy as one of the few schools in the U.S. with all three program designations.

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by the National Cryptologic School at the NSA. CAE-designated institutions must complete validation of a Program of Study (PoS) which is a series of courses and experiences that a student can reasonably accomplish in the course of attaining a degree or completing a certificate.

The Naval Academy’s Center for Cyber Security Studies supports internships in cyber and related studies including close cooperation with the National Security Agency (NSA), U.S. Cyber Command, Fleet Cyber Command, Marine Forces Cyber Command, and the Naval Cyber Warfare Development Command, all located at Fort Meade, to help give midshipmen hands-on experience in real world cyberwarfare during summer training months, as well as throughout the academic year.

Upperclassmen in the cyber operations major may engage in independent study or participate in summer internships with a variety of agencies including the NSA. Annually, a select group of cyber operations majors participate with midshipmen from the computer science and information technology majors in the NSA Cyber Exercise (NCX).

After completing the cyber operations program at the Naval Academy, future officers can go on to advanced study or possible assignments within various military cyber-related fields in support of national security. 

The Naval Academy was the first institution of higher learning in the U.S. to require cyber security classes for all students. For more information about that program, visit https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Majors-and-Courses/Majors/Cyber-Operations.php.

Category: Midshipman, Press Releases, Academics, People, Research