Grand Canyon University in Phoenix has received the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation from the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
The CAE-CD status reflects the university’s commitment to educating future professionals to help reduce cyber risk to U.S. information infrastructure assets, GCU said Tuesday.
GCU provides students access to a laboratory the university operates with the Arizona Cyber Threat Response Alliance. The lab, called Cyber Center of Excellence, works to help students gain hands-on experience in preventing hacker activities.
The university added its College of Science, Engineering and Technology offers a bachelor’s degree program that includes various topics such as information technology system planning and implementation, cloud computing and cyber forensics.
According to GCU, the cybersecurity program was designated through the 2024 school year.
Heather Montie, associate dean at the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, said the designation could open up public-sector career opportunities to students.