IRSC Cyber Program Earns Designation from NSA and Homeland Security

September 10, 2018 Suzanne Seldes

Indian River State College (IRSC) has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Two-Year Education (CAE2Y) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The designation acknowledges the College’s rigorous academic program and its Cyber Center of Excellence, an academic research and training facility dedicated to educating responsible leaders in the field by engaging in collaborative research, building community partnerships, and maintaining high ethical standards of Cyber Security practices and policies. IRSC will carry the designation through 2023.

“This recognition by National Security Agency validates years of hard work by the College and its industry partners in launching and maturing IRSC’s cyber security program,” declares Dr. Kevin Cooper, Indian River State College Dean of Advanced Technology, “IRSC two-year cyber graduates will now receive a certification recognized by the NSA, which will open new opportunities in exciting venues such as national labs, the Department of Defense, and national cyber firms.” Cooper adds, “This endorsement propels IRSC Cyber programs into the national discussion and opens the door to new, unique opportunities.”

The goal of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise. NSA and DHS partner with academic institutions like IRSC to enhance cybersecurity education nationwide and to broaden the pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals who can protect our nation from cyberattacks. CAE2Y designated institutions play an integral role in developing the next generation of cybersecurity experts in science, technology, engineering, math, language and analysis. They also advance science through research and innovation that benefits the country even beyond NSA's need to apply emerging technologies to their mission.

Indian River State College is a public, comprehensive college with a statewide and national reputation for excellence. A premier institution for higher education, IRSC is a key partner in the continuing development of Florida’s Treasure Coast region and is cited nationally as a model for innovative use of technology in education. IRSC serves approximately 30,000 students annually across five campuses and offers more than 100 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates and applied technology diplomas. In 2007, the College added coursework in cyber security to its existing computer science curriculum. It has since graduated 600 students with state-recognized certifications and Associate degrees. It launched the IRSC Cyber Center of Excellence in 2014, and in 2016 was recognized with the Florida Department of Education Chancellor Award for Best Practice.

For more information about IRSC, visit www.irsc.edu. Learn more about the IRSC Cyber Center of Excellence at http://irscccoe.org. For additional information on the NSA/DHS National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, please visit: https://www.nsa.gov/resources/educators/centers-academic-excellence/cyber-defense/index.shtml.