Warner Robins, Ga. – The Cybersecurity program at Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through 2028.
The CAE-CD designation is recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) and indicates that the College is helping reduce threats to our national infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense as well as providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals.
The recognition goes to the top cyber security programs in the country.
Bridget Willis, Computer Programs division chair, stated that the accreditation took about four years because the program must exist for three years, the first year was utilized to gather all the documents needed for the submission of the accreditation and to build a strong curriculum.
“During this time, CGTC faculty and staff had to travel consistently to other institutions that acted as mentors since they knew how the accreditation process works, which was extremely important to the accreditation process for us,” said Willis.
Cybersecurity training and education has become increasingly relevant in the regional and global economy. In Central Georgia, Robins Air Force Base, one of the largest employers in the state, relies greatly on cybersecurity as a key aspect to their mission. Advancements in technology have made cybersecurity a vital component for every businesses and industry across the state.
The Cybersecurity Associate Degree program at CGTC encompasses a sequence of courses designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts, principles, and techniques required in computer information processing.
Graduates are to be competent in the general core areas as well as in the technical areas of computer terminology and concepts, program design and development, and computer networking.
Program graduates are qualified for employment as Cybersecurity Specialists or Information Security Analysts ready to seek employment or continue in a bachelor’s degree program.
Additional information is available at the National Security Agency/Central Security Service website for National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.
For more information about CGTC Cybersecurity Program visit, Center for Cybersecurity | Central Georgia Technical College (centralgatech.edu)