The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) program. The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise. NSA's CAE in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) program supports the President's National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE): Building a Digital Nation, and furthers the goal to broaden the pool of skilled workers capable of supporting a cyber-secure nation.

New Mexico State University currently holds the following CAE designations:

• CAE in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) - 2024 - 2029

New Mexico State University CAE Programs of Study

Institutions that receive a CAE-C designation have met the rigorous requirements set forth by the sponsor of the program, the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA awards CAE-C designations to institutions that have committed to producing cybersecurity professionals that will reduce vulnerabilities in our national infrastructure. Upon graduation, students who successfully complete all requirements for the NSA validated Cyber Defense (CD) will receive a certificate of completion for their records.

The Program of Study (POS) supporting New Mexico State's CAE Cyber Defense designation:

Students will have completed all requirements for and graduated with a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology with one of the four Concentrations. The student's transcript will denote both the BICT major and chosen Concentration.