University designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and Cyber Research

Virginia Tech has been distinguished as a national center both for cyber defense and cyber research by the National Security Agency.

“This means the National Security Agency has looked at Virginia Tech’s cyber programs and curriculum and agree that our graduates will be prepared to go out into the workforce and be clearable and successful,” said Mark Thompson, senior research associate in the Virginia Tech National Security Institute’s Intelligent Systems Division. “Prospective employers, whether it's defense contractors or the government itself, can see this designation and know that Virginia Tech is a trusted place to recruit from.”

The designations came through the agency’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program, which aims to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with universities that:

• Establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence
• Includes competency development among students and faculty
• Values community outreach and leadership in professional development
• Integrates cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines
• Actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education

The program recognizes centers in three categories: cyber defense, cyber research, and cyber operations. This is the second time Virginia Tech has been named a center for research and first for defense.

The designation specifically recognizes programs within the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Department of Computer Science, and the Hume Center for National Security and Technology. The latter is housed within the Virginia Tech National Security Institute and serves as the hub for national security-focused experiential learning and workforce development at Virginia Tech.

The designation qualifies or advantages Virginia Tech in competing for student scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy and CyberCorps Scholarship For Service program managed by the National Science Foundation. Additionally, it gives students and faculty access to National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity events, and serves as a source and facilitator for government-academic researcher exchanges.

“I see the increased visibility on our cyber programs as the biggest benefit,” said Christine Julien, head of the computer science department. “It opens up new opportunities for our students and faculty in terms of funding opportunities or connections to other researchers or just interesting projects.”