University named center of excellence for cyber defense

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security in fall 2017 designated UW-Stout as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. UW-Stout is the first and only four-year school in Wisconsin to receive the CAE-CD designation and one of about 120 nationally.

“We know that cybersecurity will only grow in importance and are committed to preparing graduates to play critical roles in the future of cybersecurity,” said Maria Alm, dean of the College of Arts, Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Holly Yuan, director of the undergraduate program in computer networking and information technology, led the 13-month process to earn the designation. “We realized the dire need, the shortage of cybersecurity professionals and the great opportunity for us,” Yuan said.

Along with CNIT, UW-Stout has related Bachelor of Science programs: information and communication technologies; computer science; and applied mathematics and computer science, which has a concentration in cybersecurity.

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