AU named Georgia’s only National Center of Academic Excellence in cyber ops

Augusta University’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences has reached a significant milestone by earning its second designation from the National Security Agency’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program. AU has been recognized for excellence in cyber operations, a designation held by only a few institutions nationwide.

As part of the NCAE-C program, SCCS joins an elite network of academic institutions that meet rigorous standards for cybersecurity education, research and outreach. The program is managed by the NSA’s National Cryptologic School in collaboration with federal partners, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, FBI, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer, National Institute of Standards and Technology/National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education and U.S. Cyber Command.

Out of 463 NCAE institutions across the country, 417 hold a designation in cyber defense, but only 22 institutions have earned the cyber operations designation. SCCS not only joins this exclusive group, but also becomes one of only two universities in Georgia alongside Georgia State University to hold two NCAE designations. Furthermore, Augusta University is the only institution in Georgia with the coveted cyber defense and cyber operations designations.

“What sets our program apart is its hands-on approach – our students don’t just learn theory; they develop and analyze real-world cyber capabilities in our state-of-the-art laboratories at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center.”

Gursimran Walia, PhD, associate dean of Academic Affairs in the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences

The effort to validate the Cyber Operations undergraduate curriculum was led by Gursimran Walia, PhD, associate dean of Academic Affairs; Michael Nowatkowski, PhD, director of AU’s Cyber Institute and head of Cyber Programs of Study; and Jeffrey Morris, PhD, assistant professor in the Cyber Systems Engineering department.

“The CAE-CO designation represents the highest tier of recognition from the National Security Agency for academic programs in cyber operations,” said Walia. “This prestigious designation places our Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations program among an elite group of fewer than 25 institutions nationwide that have demonstrated excellence in both the technical depth and interdisciplinary breadth required for modern cyber operations education.”

AU was awarded the cyber defense designation in 2016, before SCCS was officially founded in 2017. Earning the cyber operations designation in 2024 reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to advancing cybersecurity education and preparing students for critical roles in the field.

“The Cyber Operations degree at AU was designed with this designation in mind,” said Nowatkowski. “The designation not only requires meeting the academic standards, but also requires student and faculty participation in class activities such as cyber competitions, collaborations with other CAE schools, and research of cybersecurity topics.”

The path to earning the cyber operations designation involved years of intense preparation.

“We started development of the Cyber Operations degree in 2017 to meet the CAE-CO designation requirements and now, we are beginning to witness the results of that work,” continued Nowatkowski. “It’s fulfilling to know that our faculty are fully committed to supporting the Cyber Operations program at AU.”

Morris further highlighted the effort it took to earn the designation.

“Earning CAE-CO is no small feat; only 21 other schools hold this designation. As with any NSA designation, there was considerable preparation for the review,” Morris said. “We spent countless hours collecting the data and demonstrating that our program meets NSA’s high standards. Dr. Nowatkowski deserves recognition for leading this effort.”

Graduates of CAE-CO designated programs are highly sought after for roles in cyber operations, threat analysis, digital forensics and security engineering, with many securing six-figure starting salaries. By holding designations in both cyber defense and cyber operations, SCCS opens the door to a myriad of opportunities for students and faculty alike, from collaborative research to partnerships with federal agencies and industry leaders.

Academic institutions seeking NCAE designations must demonstrate excellence in their program of study, which outlines a comprehensive set of courses, hands-on experiences and academic outcomes that align with NSA standards. The vetting process ensures that students graduating from these programs are highly skilled and ready to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges.

“What sets our program apart is its hands-on approach – our students don’t just learn theory; they develop and analyze real-world cyber capabilities in our state-of-the-art laboratories at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center,” said Walia.

“Earning the CAE-CO designation validates the rigor and relevance of our program,” Walia continued. “It signals to employers, particularly in the defense and cyber communities, that our graduates possess the advanced technical skills and analytical mindset needed to tackle complex cyber operations challenges. This designation also opens up unique scholarship and internship opportunities for our students through the Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy and NSF CyberCorps Scholarships for Service Program.”

With two NCAE designations in the school’s possession, the school is well-positioned to continue attracting top-tier students, foster cutting-edge research and deepen its impact in the cybersecurity community. The dual recognition solidifies Augusta University’s reputation as an emerging leader in cybersecurity education and a destination for students who are passionate about making a difference in the cybersecurity field.

“Our next goal is to obtain the designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Research,” said Alexander Schwarzmann, dean of the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences. “Our faculty are building momentum in cybersecurity research, but our doctoral program is still in its early stages; just three years old. We expect to graduate our first doctoral students in 2025, and as we continue to grow our doctoral program, I am confident that we will be a strong candidate for the CAE-R designation.”