UAH has joined an elite group of higher education institutions by being named a National Security Agency/Dept. of Homeland Security Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (NSA/DHS CAE IA/CD). Nationally at the end of 2014, just 77 universities were CAE IA/CD designated. CAE IA/CD institutions receive formal recognition from the U.S. government as well as opportunities for prestige and publicity for their roles in securing the United States' information systems.