St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC) is happy to announce that it has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense for the Information Technology – Cybersecurity Associate in Applied Science through the academic year 2028.
SCTCC’s Cybersecurity AAS is a 60-credit program that focuses on foundational information, technology knowledge and focused cybersecurity skills to provide graduates with the skills to become security specialists.
“A highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national advantage,” said Annie Becker, National CAE Program Manager, NSA. “The United States Government will continue to invest in and enhance programs that build the domestic talent pipeline, from primary through postsecondary education.”
Cybersecurity is crucial for all industries and organizations to help prevent data breaches, identity theft, and other cybercrimes. Because of an increasingly global connections, the risk of cybercrimes is increasing.
SCTCC Information Technology faculty members Brian Volkmuth and Ryan Salner worked to bring the Cybersecurity AAS to SCTCC and started offering the major in fall semester 2019.
In August of 2022, the program of study was validated by the National Security Agency’s Center of Academic Excellence Project Management Office, the first step in SCTCC becoming fully designated.
“With guidance from the criteria set by the NSA and Dept. of Defense’s Centers of Academic Excellence, SCTCC is dedicated to developing a skilled workforce that will help fill the gap in the growing need for Cybersecurity professionals, said Volkmuth.
SCTCC students can now compete for grants like the Dept. of Defense Cybersecurity Scholarship Program and apply for the National Science Foundation’s Scholarship for Service program. Additionally, SCTCC faculty will have access to national training centers and will be able to collaborate and create partnerships and transfer pathways with other CAE-designated schools.
“The CAE in Cyber Defense designation is a tremendous achievement for our faculty and an incredible opportunity for our students, the Central Minnesota region, and all industries and organizations. SCTCC is committed to reviewing its academic programs and keeping up to date with designations like the CAE in Cyber Defense,” said President Lori Kloos. “We will be pursuing collaborations and pathways for our students with CAE partners to help create the highly skilled cybersecurity workforce for our local industry and government agencies.”
Anyone interested in applying to the Cybersecurity AAS can learn more at sctcc.edu/IT. There are several student scholarships available for a Fall 2023 start, with the deadline at the end of June.