The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security have designated the University of North Florida’s School of Computing as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education through 2024.
“The designation will put the UNF School of Computing programs in cybersecurity on the national stage,” said Sherif Elfayoumy, director of the UNF School of Computing.
Institutions are chosen and accredited based on their degree programs and alignment to specific cybersecurity-related curriculum knowledge units, validated by experts in the field.
Graduates from CAE-CDE designated programs have the skills to help protect national security information systems, commercial networks and critical information infrastructure in the private and public sectors.
The CAE-CDE designation makes students eligible for additional research grants and scholarships.
The university is collaborating with Pax Technology, an international supplier of electronic payment terminals and transaction software. Pax Technology’s North America headquarters is located in Jacksonville.
A computer lab has been remodeled to serve as a cybersecurity lab, and Pax Technology has committed $100,000 to fund scholarships and activities for students interested in the subject. The money will support scholarships, graduate assistantships and research projects.