UAH a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Dr. Seong-Moo (Sam) Yoo

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research (CAE - R) through academic year 2021.

The certification by the National Information Assurance Education & Training Programs (IAETA), which operates under national authority as the manager for IA education and training relating to national security systems, is UAH’s third national-level cyber credential.  IAETA operates in conjunction with the U.S. National Security Agency and the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.

Look for more announcements in the future concerning UAH cyber achievements – I can promise you they will be coming.

“We have also been designated by the National Security Agency and the Dept. of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE) and Cyber Defense (CAE/CD). The Cyber Defense Research (CAE-R) credential is our latest cyber recognition by the DoD and DHS,” says Dr. Ray Vaughn, UAH vice president for research and economic development.

The CAE- R credential is only awarded to universities with doctoral programs that have demonstrated strong cybersecurity research coupled with doctoral degree production in the area of cybersecurity. 

“UAH has excellent performance in its cybersecurity research and academic programs,” Dr. Vaughn says. “This is third-party validation of this claim.”

Dr. Ray Vaughn

The CAE effort’s vision is to establish a process that:

• recognizes schools with programs that integrate research activities into the curriculum and into the classroom setting;
• provides NSA, DHS and other federal agencies with insight into academic IA programs – with their reach into industry – that can support advanced academic, research, and development capabilities;
• serves as potential source and facilitator for government-academia researcher exchanges; and
• presents opportunities for IA research centers to drill deeper into much needed solutions for securing critical information systems and networks.

The certifications involve a rigorous review process conducted by NSA and DHS, Dr. Vaughn says.

“UAH has significant capability in the area of cybersecurity – an important capability in our geographic area,” he says. “We are activity engaged in many cyber programs throughout this community and hope to continue to grow our contribution in this important space. Look for more announcements in the future concerning UAH cyber achievements – I can promise you they will be coming.”

Leading the certification effort at UAH was Dr. Seong-Moo (Sam) Yoo, an associate professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept. (ECE).

“UAH is now in a stronger position to apply for  research funding in cybersecurity to the NSA and other organizations, including local industry with this credential,” Dr. Yoo says.

The CAE-R designation will positively impact UAH students who have full scholarships to study cybersecurity through the Scholarship for Service program funded by the National Science Foundation, Dr. Yoo says.