In recognition of the University’s efforts in the advancement of research and preparing students for careers in internet security, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated Morgan State University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). Morgan joins a select list of institutions to have earned this distinction. Official letters of notification will be sent to the State of Maryland Governor’s Office, members of Congress and appropriate congressional committees making them aware of this certification, which is valid through the academic year 2021.
The NSA and the DHS jointly sponsor the CAE-CDE program, which serves as a catalyst to reduce vulnerability in the country’s National Information Infrastructure, by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise. Universities participating in the program are able to become more involved in defending America’s cyberspace as well as help address a critical shortage of professionals with the relevant and necessary skills to do so.
“This designation is a very significant achievement for Morgan, and we are proud of the work that our team has contributed to bringing this to fruition,” said Morgan President David Wilson. “Cyber defense continues to be paramount to our national security interests and is one of the fastest-growing professions. Morgan has consistently demonstrated a strong capability to meet the increasing demands for research and workers in this field and looks to serve the nation as a contributor to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure.”
To prepare for the evaluation process, Morgan assembled a multidisciplinary/intra-school team led by Craig Scott, Ph.D., interim dean of Morgan’s Clarence M. Mitchell School of Engineering, and composed of members from the School of Engineering (Farzad Moazzami, D.Eng.), the School of Computer, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences (Prabir Bhattacharya, D.Phil.), the School of Business and Management (Sanjay Bapna, Ph.D.) and the Division of Research and Economic Development (Gerald Whitaker). In 2017, Morgan plans to submit an application for designation by NSA as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research (CAE-R) led by Kevin Kornegay, Ph.D., Morgan’s lead researcher in the Internet of Things.
“Bringing this designation to Morgan was a collaborative effort, only made possible by three university schools working together toward a strategic end and with the full endorsement and support of President Wilson,” said Victor McCrary, Ph.D., Morgan’s vice president for the Division of Research and Economic Development. “We commend all of the deans and faculty members who worked tirelessly on assisting the university in earning this new designation and increasing the prospects for faculty and students to participate in cyber-related research and cyber-related student internships.”
The CAE-CDE program comprises designations for four-year baccalaureate/graduate education, two-year education, and research. All regionally accredited two-year, four-year and graduate-level institutions in the United States are eligible to apply. They are selected to receive the designation only after meeting stringent CAE criteria and mapping their curricula to a core set of cyber defense knowledge units and specialized focus areas. Designation as a Center does not carry a commitment of funding from NSA or DHS, however, funding opportunities may become available periodically from other sources, such as the National Science Foundation.
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral Research Institution offering more than 70 academic programs leading to bachelor’s degrees as well as programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. As Maryland’s Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. More information about the university is available at www.morgan.edu.
—Via Morgan State Newsroom
