Skip to main content

National Security Agency National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity
CAE in Cybersecurity Community 
Department of War Cyber Service Academy
Cyber Operations 
CAE-CO Designation Points of Contact
Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations
Faculty Members
Industry Advisory Board
Al Cyber
Cyber Al Designation Points of Contact
Cyber Al Program of Study
Faculty Members
Industry Advisory Board
Cybersecurity Competitions
CAE Cyber Competitions Atlas
Wargame Nexus
NSA Codebreaker
National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competitions
National Cyber League
NCAE Cyber Games
Cyber Saquaros
The Packet
Information Security Resources

The University of Arizona is a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.

The National Security Agency has named the University of Arizona as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, with designations for Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) and Research (CAE-R)—one of only 11 institutions that hold all three designations.

 

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations (Cyber Engineering emphasis) holds the CAE-CO designation, one of only 23 universities nationwide to receive that prestigious credential. The CAE-CO program is a deeply technical, interdisciplinary, higher education program firmly grounded in the computer science, computer engineering and/or electrical engineering disciplines, with extensive opportunities for hands-on applications via labs and exercises.

 

CYBER OPERATIONS AICYBER

 

National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C)

The University of Arizona is proud to be part of the Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, with designations for Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), Cyber Operations (CAE-CO), Cyber Research (CAE-R), and validated CyberAI program of study. 

What is the NCAE-C Program?

The University of Arizona is designated by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program managed by the National Security Agency (NSA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies. The NCAE-C program was established to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce and expand high-quality cybersecurity education nationwide. 

The NCAE-C program creates and manages a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with community colleges, colleges, and 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 and across academic
  • disciplines
  • Actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education

Institutions that earn the NCAE-C designation demonstrate excellence in areas such as:

  • High-quality, outcomes-driven cybersecurity curriculum
  • Hands-on, experiential learning and applied practice
  • Faculty expertise and ongoing professional engagement
  • Student learning, mentoring, and career preparation
  • Partnerships with schools, employers, and community organizations
  • Commitment to public service, research, and national workforce needs

Types of NCAE-C Designations

The NCAE-C program recognizes institutions across multiple areas of cybersecurity specialization, including:

  • Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) – programs with deep technical and hands-on preparation in offensive and defensive cyber operations
  • Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) – programs focused on cybersecurity fundamentals, policy, governance, and applied security practices
  • Cyber Research (CAE-R) – institutions that demonstrate strength in cybersecurity research and innovation

Each designation reflects a distinct focus area while contributing to the shared national mission of developing a capable and diverse cybersecurity workforce.