{"id":72152,"date":"2016-04-22T14:16:03","date_gmt":"2016-04-22T18:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=72152"},"modified":"2022-02-21T11:40:33","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T16:40:33","slug":"ucf-named-national-center-of-academic-excellence-in-cyber-defense-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-named-national-center-of-academic-excellence-in-cyber-defense-education\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF Named National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education"},"content":{"rendered":"
The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security this week named UCF a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, an honor that recognizes the strength of the university\u2019s cyberdefense programs, curriculum, faculty and students.<\/p>\n
The designation, which brings prestige and additional access to scholarships and research grants, comes under a federal program that\u2019s meant to reduce the vulnerability of America\u2019s information infrastructure by strengthening higher education and research in cyberdefense<\/a>. The honor recognizes that by producing top-notch graduates, the 色花堂\u2019s College of Engineering & Computer Science<\/a> is addressing the critical shortage of professionals with the skills to defend against hackers and cyberattacks.<\/p>\n \u201cI am so proud of our student champions and our faculty who spend countless hours researching and teaching in this critical discipline that is a part of our daily lives,\u201d said Provost and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker. \u201cThis latest recognition as a National Center of Academic Excellence is a clear testament to the quality of our people and our programs.\u201d<\/p>\n The quality of computer science and computer engineering students at UCF comes as no surprise to the university community.<\/p>\n The student Collegiate Cyber Defense Club at UCF \u2013 also known as Hack@UCF \u2013 is the two-time, back-to-back winner of the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, making it the reigning national champion in the field. The club\u2019s competition team members are defending their title this weekend at the 2016 competition in San Antonio. The club\u2019s success played a role in the designation, according to Michael Georgiopoulos, dean of the College of Engineering & Computer Science.<\/p>\n \u201cThis designation recognizes the successes and cybersecurity expertise of our students and faculty, and our constant focus on the cutting edge of this changing field,\u201d Georgiopoulos said. \u201cIt will open a lot of doors for UCF students and faculty, including scholarships and grant opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n Georgiopoulos credited faculty from across his college for bringing the honor to UCF, including computer science professor Mostafa Bassiouni, who led the \u201cHerculean effort.\u201d<\/p>\n The criteria for the federal program is stringent. Among other things, centers must have \u201ca vibrant and mature\u201d cyberdefense program, foster student research, employ faculty with expertise in current cyberdefense practice, and partner with companies to identify their needs and support student job placement.<\/p>\n