Kennesaw State University received the 2022 First Place Outstanding Outreach Award by the National Security Agency’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.
The award was presented at the program’s annual regional meeting, which takes place in Atlanta. The decision was made by the 347 other institutions that compose the NSA’s NCAE.
KSU was selected for this award in recognition of expanding its cybersecurity program to provide more opportunities for students to pursue and promote respectable practices of cybersecurity.
The Michael J. Coles College of Business’s Department of Information Systems and Security was also recognized at the event along with the student-led Offensive Security Club organization.
KSU’s Institute for Cybersecurity Workforce Development (ICWD) paved the way for the University’s success in the cybersecurity division. The institute was created in 2017 as part of the University System of Georgia’s initiative to increase cybersecurity education and career opportunities in the state.
Today, KSU is ranked as the best online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree by cyberdegree.org and was recently ranked among the Top 25 Most Affordable Online Cybersecurity Degrees by valuecolleges.com.
According to LinkedIn, the “cybersecurity industry is and will continue to remain the most dynamic and critical industry in the world today.”
A surge in security threats and data breaches has increased cybercrime by 600% in the last year alone with each crime incurring costs of around $4.24 million dollars. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that job opportunities in cybersecurity will rise by 33% within the next 10 years, a rate of growth much higher than the average expectation of 8%.
KSU offers cybersecurity as an eMajor, a major with a completely online modality, allowing students to earn their degree at their own personal convenience. ICWD also hosts workshops throughout the school year for those looking to improve their cyber skills.
Additionally, the university offers cybersecurity students the chance to be named Student of the Year. Faculty members and institute directors work together in order to choose a student that has shown exemplary work and promise during their term.
Founded in 1999, The NCAE in Cybersecurity brought together several institutions such as the NSA’s National Cryptologic School, the FBI and the Department of Defense to support the next generation of cyber defense professionals. The organization awards those who strive for academic achievement and educate their communities on cybersecurity.
The NCAE-C program supports students in achieving their goals in educational and professional development, while simultaneously collaborating with other institutions from across the country. Participating in this program opens up networking opportunities as well as helps students gain and apply skills with collegiate competitions, such as the Cyber Games.
