CYBERSECURITY NATIONAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
EFSC ’ s Cybersecurity Center was named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the U . S . government for helping protect the nation ’ s critical information infrastructure .
• The prestigious recognition came from the National Security Agency ( NSA ) as part of an initiative to validate programs of study . It applies to the Cybersecurity Specialization in EFSC ’ s Computer Information Systems Technology Bachelor Degree program .
• NSA officials said the EFSC program is helping protect the digital systems that make the country run by providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals .
• EFSC ’ s Cybersecurity Lab on the Palm Bay Campus supports both Bachelor and Associate level degrees and certificates , with college officials calling the designation a sign of EFSC ’ s growing prominence in the field .
• “ The honor is the result of years of hard work by the college to build a first-class cybersecurity program and the dedication of our superb faculty and staff who have made it happen . It really puts us on the map in this critical field ,” said EFSC President Dr . Jim Richey .
• Nicole Dyess , Program Manager for EFSC ’ s Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics on the Palm Bay Campus , led the effort to gain the designation .
• “ What makes this so valuable is that students will know they are studying the practices deemed important by two of the largest cybersecurity employers in the world , the National Security Agency and Defense Department ,” said Dyess .
• “ That will make them highly employable to companies along the Space Coast , throughout Central Florida and beyond . It ’ s a huge step forward for our college .”
• The new designation makes EFSC students eligible for a Defense Department cybersecurity scholarship program , which covers the cost of tuition , books and provides a stipend .
• Enrollment in EFSC ’ s Cybersecurity program is strong . Associate in Science Degree students in corresponding areas of study can also seamlessly transition to the Bachelor track upon graduation .
• An EFSC Cybersecurity Industry Advisory Board that includes companies such as Northrup Grumman and L3 Harris provides input to the college on the program .
• Experts from EFSC also go to high schools and middle schools to talk with students about cybersecurity careers .
PAGE 22 | EFSC COLLEGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS