School of Business Named National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education

U.S. Government Agencies Recognize the University for its Nationally Leading Digital Forensics Program.

The School of Business is now nationally accredited for its cyber defense research and education.

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 19, 2018) – The School of Business has been recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a national leader in cyber security education.

The University received the designation, to remain through 2023, of a “National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE)” for its digital forensics program.

The School was awarded for its “ability to meet the increasing demands of the program’s criteria” that will “serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the national information infrastructure,” according to the official letter from the National CAE Program Manager.

Hany Shawky, interim dean of the School of Business, said the School's success can be attributed to the hardworking faculty and students.

"We are very proud of our digital forensics program, and the many accolades it has received is simply a testament to the great faculty we have at the University, and to the outstanding students that have been attracted to the program," he said.

Dual Accreditation for Excellence

The NSA and DHS already certified the School last fall as a “National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research (CAE-R).” The two designations will provide more opportunities for faculty and students to engage with governmental agencies (such as the NSA and the DHS) in research collaborations and projects.

Sanjay Goel, the director of the digital forensics program, said the designation is "especially noteworthy given that very few institutions have the CAE designation" in both Cyber Defense Education and Cyber Defense Research, and that many undergraduate business majors are actively involved in the School's research.  

"The program focuses strongly on experiential learning with active programs, working with partners both in the government - such as the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (NYSITS) - and the private sector, where students are able to actively work with industry professionals on various security-related projects," said Goel, who lead the initiative for the designation. "With extensive hands-on project work in the classroom and industry experience, our students are in very high demand."

The goal of the National Centers of Academic Excellence programs is to reduce the United States’ vulnerability against cyber attacks by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense, as well as producing professionals with cyber defense expertise, according it the NSA’s website.

There are more than a quarter million positions in cyber security right now, according to Goel, citing the National Initiative for Cyber Security Education (NIST).

He said students from the School are well-equipped to "meet the high demand for cyber security professionals in national intelligence, law enforcement and the private sector." 

The University will receive an official designation certificate this June at the National Cyber Summit in Huntsville, Alabama.

The School of Business' digital forensics program, founded in 2013, is the first of its kind in New York and one of the few in the nation. In addition to its B.S. in digital forensics, the School offers an MBA concentration in cyber security and a 15 credit graduate certificate in information security.

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