National Security Agency redesignates JSCC in Cyber Defense

Jackson State Community College (JSCC) recently completed the rigorous approval process through the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to renew its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).

The credential, issued by the NSA and DHS, is based on a college program’s ability to meet the increasing demands of the National CAE program to ensure the college program can serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure.

In September 2018, The National Cyber Strategy identified a critical shortage of professionals with a cybersecurity skillset and identified the importance of higher education reinforcement as a solution to identifying America’s cyberspace.

Jackson State is one of only three colleges and universities in West Tennessee that have the CAE-CD designation and was the first community college in the state to receive the designation back in 2012. JSCC’s Computer Information Technology program benefits greatly from the designation, as it makes students more desirable to future employers and opens a variety of career opportunities in cybersecurity without students having to attend a 4-year institution.

“The CAE-CD designation elevates the skills students learn here at Jackson State,” said Dr. Pigg, Dean of Business, CIT and Engineering Systems. “The Center of Academic Excellence is setting the standard for professionals in the cybersecurity field and we’re doing our part by preparing them to meet those standards. Attending a college with the CAE-CD designation offers students a lot of opportunities after graduation, not just because of the skills they’re learning here, but also because of the connections to future employers it provides.”

Jackson State Community College’s designation as a CAE-CD institution has been renewed until the 2028 academic year.

If you or someone you know is interested in a career in computer information technology, please visit jscc.edu/cit to learn more.

About the NCAE-C Program

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program’s mission is to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with community colleges, colleges, and universities. The program establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence, includes competency development among students and faculty, and works to create solutions to concerns within cybersecurity education.  Learn more at caecommunity.org