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SAN ANTONIO (October 20, 2017)—Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) announced today that it was redesignated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) through the year 2022. This prestigious designation puts the University among a select group of institutions nationwide meeting rigorous federal standards.
A&M-SA is hosting an event on Oct. 30 to celebrate this prestigious NSA redesignation at which U.S. Representative Will Hurd will discuss its significance in spurring San Antonio’s economy and meeting the national demand of cyber security personnel. This event, which will take place from 9-10 a.m. in Patriots’ Casa on the A&M-SA campus, is free and open to the media and general public.
“As cyber threats become more common and continue to evolve, universities like Texas A&M University-San Antonio are training tomorrow’s digital warriors,” said Hurd, a computer science major from Texas A&M University who served as an intelligence officer in the CIA and a senior cyber security advisor in the private sector. “This impressive designation not only helps attract the best and brightest to San Antonio to pursue careers in IT security, it also contributes directly to the city’s leadership in the cyber security industry.” San Antonio is home to the second-largest concentration of cyber security experts in the nation.
Offered by A&M-SA’s Department of Computing and Cyber Security, which is located in the College of Business, the CAE-CDE-certified cyber defense program teaches students a distinctive “business-embedded” approach to learning and applying cyber security. Cyber security faculty and business faculty collaborate on research projects, and students hone their cyber security skills through internships at real-world businesses. This unique approach enhances the cyber security readiness of A&M-SA students in business, computing, and arts and sciences.
“It’s rare for a university’s cyber security program to be located in its business school,” says Akhtar Lodgher, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Computing and Cyber Security and director of the Center for Information Technology and Cyber Security. “But we know that cyber security—in and of itself—does not deliver optimum value unless it’s woven into the fabric of a business. That’s why we infuse cyber security into everything we teach. Our unique model empowers students to leverage cyber security as a competitive advantage instead of just an ‘add-on’ IT function.” A&M-SA recently received an NSA grant to create cyber security modules that can be offered at all levels of computing education—from high-school through community college to university education.
More than 90 A&M-SA students are currently enrolled in the CAE-CDE-certified cyber defense program offered through the BAAS in Information Technology. Beginning in fall 2018, A&M-SA students in the BS in Computer Science and BBA in Computer Information Systems will also be able to earn the cyber defense certificate. These students will graduate with the hands-on experience and business acumen needed to protect national security information systems, commercial networks and critical information for the private and public sectors. According to a recent national report, the demand for cyber security professionals is growing at 12 times the overall job market, making cyber security one of the most highly sought-after careers in the country. Additionally, cyber security professionals report an average salary of $116,000, which is nearly three times the national average.
Next fall, A&M-SA’s Center for Information Technology and Cyber Security will move into the new $60-million Science and Technology Building, a 160,000 square-foot structure featuring state-of-the-art research laboratories, equipment and collaborative spaces.
For information about the Oct. 30 event or A&M-SA’s CAE-CDE-certified cyber defense program, please contact Sr. Communications Specialist Cavett McCrary at 210-784-1103 or at cavett.mccrary@tamusa.edu.
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About Texas A&M University-San Antonio
With a nearly 700-acre Main Campus to expand into, the Military Embracing™ university welcomed its inaugural class freshmen class in August 2016 and is now a comprehensive four-year university. Currently enrolling approximately 6,500 students, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing universities in the state. To learn more, visit tamusa.edu.