Purdue University Calumet Earns Cybersecurity Excellence Center Recognition

PUC-LogoThe National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated Purdue University Calumet a Center for Academic Excellence for Information Assurance and Cyber Defense.

Advancing research & education
As a designated Center, Purdue Calumet, through its Department of Computer Information Technology and Graphics, will further research and education in information assurance and cyber defense. The effort will be jointly sponsored by the NSA and DHS.

“Your ability to meet the increasing demands of the program criteria will serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure,” NSA National CAE Program Manager Karen Leuschner wrote in a letter to Purdue Calumet.

She added that Purdue Calumet’s participation will help address a “critical shortage of professionals” needed to defend America’s cyberspace.

Addressing cybersecurity workforce demand
“The development of cybersecurity professionals from a nationally recognized program at Purdue Calumet will fill the increasing workforce demand in the cybersecurity field nationwide and especially in the Midwest,” Purdue Calumet Assistant Professor of Computer Information Technology Manghui Tu said.

Purdue Calumet’s designation continues through 2019. As a Center of Excellence, students and faculty members will be eligible to compete for Department of Defense Scholarships and gain hands on, cybersecurity field experience through participation in Federal Cyber Service programs.

Rigorous review process
According to Purdue Calumet Computer Information Technology and Graphics Department Head Keyuan Jiang, Tu led the effort of mapping courses necessary to apply for the designation, which preceded a rigorous review process.

The Computer Information Technology program within Purdue Calumet’s Department of Computer Information Technology and Graphics includes instruction in computational thinking/problem solving, database design and implementation, human computer interaction, networking, and information assurance and security.