In response to a significant increase in the number, severity and consequences of cyber attacks, CyberWatch is evaluating Centers of Excellence with the goal of making academic programs stronger sources of training skilled experts in the field of cybersecurity.

CyberWatch is an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Center, headquartered at Prince George’s Community College and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Their goal is to improve information assurance education at all levels: high school, associate, baccalaureate, and advanced degree levels.

“I’ve been invited, based on my knowledge and experience developing cybersecurity education programs, to become a member of the CyberWatch National Visiting Committee, an oversight/advisory body reporting to the NSF,” said iSchool Associate Research Professor Barbara Endicott-Popovsky, who directs the University of Washington Center for Information Assurance and Cybersecurity (CIAC).  

“Centers of Excellence are undergoing significant change, including redirection of academic programs and redefinition of purpose and direction. I’m honored to take part in this national review and overhaul.”

 Endicott-Popovsky is in Washington, D.C. this week to attend the first annual meeting of the National Visiting Committee. CIAC became a national Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance Education since 2004, and received a CAE research designation in 2008.