Messiah University named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Messiah University designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Messiah University’s Cybersecurity Education Program is pleased to announce its recent designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD). This designation is awarded to regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity-related degrees including majors, minors, and/or certificates at the associate’s, bachelor’s and graduate degree levels. To qualify for this designation, Messiah University met high academic standards for cybersecurity curriculum, demonstrated significant community outreach and integration of cybersecurity practice across academic disciplines, established a dedicated center for cybersecurity, and actively engaged in finding solutions to current cybersecurity challenges.

Messiah’s Cybersecurity Education Program faculty and staff dedicated over two years of their collective effort to gather the evidence necessary to achieve this designation. “This designation signifies Messiah’s excellence in cybersecurity education,” said Lynn Bigelow, director of cybersecurity education at Messiah University. “It opens doors for our students and faculty, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of safeguarding digital infrastructure and information.”

This achievement provides Messiah University’s Cybersecurity Education Program with increased opportunities such as participation and contribution to the broader CAE community, collaboration with other institutions in pedagogy and technical expertise, student scholarships and full-time employment for students with various agencies across the Department of Defense. This prestigious designation holds the promise of drawing in a fresh influx of students who desire to receive top-quality education in cybersecurity.

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program is managed by the National Cryptologic University at the National Security Agency (NSA), in partnership with CISA, FBI, NIST/NICE, NSF, DoD-CIO and U.S. Cyber Command. Read more about the NCAE-C program.

Explore Messiah’s cybersecurity major and its state-of-the-art Cyber Center.