EFSC CYBERSECURITY CENTER
Earns National Designation
THE NATIONAL
Security Agency ( NSA ) has recognized EFSC ’ s Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics on the Palm Bay Campus as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense . The recognition is part of an initiative to validate programs of study and to commend the college for the role its cybersecurity programs are playing to help protect the critical digital systems that make the country run .
In the announcement , NSA officials said the college “ is helping reduce the threats to our national security infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense as well as providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals .”
The designation follows a national recognition earned by EFSC ’ s Cybersecurity Bachelor ’ s Degree program earlier in the year by both the NSA and the Department of Homeland Security as a part of their National Cyber Strategy which addresses the critical shortage of qualified professionals in the field and highlights the importance of higher education as a solution to defending America ’ s cyber space .
“ A highly-skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage ,” said Karen Leuschner , NSA program manager .
EFSC ’ s Cybersecurity Center supports Bachelor Degree , Associate Degree and College Certificate programs , with college officials calling the designation a sign of EFSC ’ s growing prominence in the field .
“ These honors are 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 educational map in this critical field ,” said
EFSC President Dr . Jim Richey .
Nicole Dyess , Program Manager for EFSC ’ s Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics , led the effort to gain the designation .
“ What makes this so valuable is that students now know they are studying the practices deemed most 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 for the Cybersecurity Center 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 .
“ The alignment of EFSC Cybersecurity curriculum with federal agencies cybersecurity best practices , shows the commitment to providing our students the best possible training in helping defend our nation against foreign cybersecurity threats ,” said EFSC Cybersecurity Advisory Council member , David Africano , managing principal and CISO at Volar Security .
“ With this designation , students interested in learning more about cybersecurity can rest assured that attending ESFC ’ s Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics will give them the skills and hands on experience to effectively defend our nation ’ s computer systems .”
4 | EFSConnections Fall 2022