The National Security Agency has designated UNC Pembroke as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

The CAE-CD designation is awarded to regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees or certificates at the associate, bachelor’s and graduate levels. UNCP’s designation was approved for the bachelor’s degree in information technology, cybersecurity track degree program, and extends through 2028.

“We’re proud to receive this designation as it speaks to the strength of our curriculum and faculty,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings in a press release. “Cybersecurity is a growing field in terms of its need nationwide, and this recognition creates more opportunities for our students to pursue to develop their skills before they fill roles in this high demand field after graduating.”

Dr. Prashanth BusiReddyGari, who serves as cybersecurity program coordinator and Cyber Defense Education Center director, stated that the CAE-CD designation will provide job opportunities for students to enter a high-demand and lucrative cybersecurity career and protect critical infrastructure sector systems. The designation also enhances the reputation of UNCP’s cybersecurity degree programs and will further economic development. 

Enrollment in cybersecurity tracks within computer science and information technology has increased 119 percent since 2019 and 44 percent in 2021. The designation opens the door for scholarships and internships with collaborative agreements established under NSA partnerships. Students will be eligible to participate in cyber competitions and work on NSA-funded research projects.

The goal of the CAE-CD program is to promote and support quality academic programs of higher learning that help prepare the nation’s cyber workforce.

“The cybersecurity industry is facing an alarming rate of workforce shortage because the supply of skilled professionals doesn't meet the high demand for cybersecurity expertise,” said Dr. Reddy in a press release. “The existence and continuation of cybersecurity programs at UNC Pembroke create a strong local talent pipeline to reduce the workforce shortage in the region and expand the pool of qualified local talent needed to shield critical national infrastructure against devastating cyber-attacks.”

UNCP formed partnerships with state and federal entities during the accreditation process, including the NSA-CSS/Cooperative Research and Development Agreement and the North Carolina Partnership for Cybersecurity Excellence. The UNCP Cyber Defense Education Center was also established.