National Center of Academic Excellence

The Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education Program is intended to reduce vulnerabilities in the national information infrastructure by promoting higher education in IA, and producing a growing number of professionals with IA expertise in various disciplines. University applicants are assessed against published criteria intended to measure depth and maturity of programs in IA. The criteria are specified in courseware training standards issued by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS).

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security designate qualified institutions as Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.