KU designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research

LAWRENCE — Researchers and faculty members at the University of Kansas’ Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Institute for Information Sciences (I2S) recently received redesignation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R). 

The prestigious designation by the National Security Agency (NSA) is awarded to Department of Defense schools, Ph.D.-producing military academies or degree-granting four-year institutions rated by the Carnegie Foundation Basic Classification system as a doctoral university.

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by NSA's National Cryptologic School. Federal partners include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology/National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer and U.S. Cyber Command.

“This is excellent news for the KU community and a tremendous accomplishment for our faculty members involved in the validation process,” said Perry Alexander, AT&T Foundation Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and director of KU’s Institute for Information Sciences (I2S). 

KU is the only institution in Kansas with both Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Research (CAE-R) designations. The university has robust offerings in the cybersecurity domain. It offers the cybersecurity engineering bachelor's degree program, four other bachelor’s degrees in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering and applied computing, and an undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity. At the graduate level, KU’s Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science offers three master’s degrees and two doctorates.

I2S is KU’s hub for cybersecurity research and innovation. Its interdisciplinary projects span areas such as trustworthy AI, high-assurance systems, CPS security, network security and social dynamics, with funding from the NSA, Air Force Research Laboratory, DoE, NASA and industry partners. Several initiatives highlight KU’s commitment to excellence in cybersecurity education, research and workforce development:

• KU is a Science of Security Lablet designated by the National Security Agency’s Research Directorate to conduct foundational research that advances the frontiers of cybersecurity.
• KU receives federal grants to establish the Scholarship for Service program that provides full scholarships and specialized training for undergraduates and graduates in cybersecurity.
• Students build and practice cybersecurity skills and participate in cybersecurity competitions through the Information Security Club (the “Jayhackers”).

In a letter confirming the designation to KU EECS professor Fengjun Li, National CAE Program Manager Renae Weathers cited KU’s “ability to meet the increasing demands of the program criteria” and that it “will serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure.”

Since September 2018, the National Cyber Strategy addresses the critical shortage of professionals with cybersecurity skills and highlights the importance of higher education as a solution to defending America’s cyberspace. According to the NSA website, the NCAE-C program aims to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with universities that:

• Establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence;
• Includes competency development among students and faculty;
• Values community outreach and leadership in professional development;
• Integrates cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines;
• Actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.

KU’s CAE-R designation was formally recognized at a designation ceremony over the summer. The designation will run through academic year 2030.

Li conducts research on behalf of KU’s I2S under the direction of Alexander. The mission of I2S is to sustain and grow national leadership in the creation, dissemination and commercialization of new technologies in computer systems, communication systems and radar systems.