The University of Wisconsin–Madison has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R) by the National Security Agency (NSA). This prestigious designation underscores UW–Madison's commitment to advancing cybersecurity education and research and recognizes its position as a leader in the field.
“This designation recognizes that our faculty, staff, and students are on the forefront of Cyber Research, and it is amongst the most important research that we do,” says Eric Wilcots, Dean of UW–Madison’s College of Letters & Science. “As a Center of Academic Excellence, we will have the opportunity to address hard questions and deepen our impact.”
The CAE-R designation indicates that an institution increases the understanding of robust cyber defense technology, policy, and practices that will enable the nation to prevent and respond to a catastrophic event. It is part of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program, which includes other specializations such as Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Cyber Operations (CAE-CO). UW–Stout, UW–Whitewater, and UW–Stevens Point are CAE-CD institutions.
UW–Madison’s designation points up the exceptional quality of its doctoral program in Computer Sciences and the impactful research and scholarship conducted by faculty and students in the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS), including Patrick McDaniel, the Tsun-Ming Shih Professor of Computer Science, and Barton Miller, a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and the Amar and Belinder Sohi Professor of Computer Science, who have built a body of nationally recognized research in the field of cybersecurity.
UW–Madison students will now also have access to the DoD Cyber Service Academy (DoD CSA) scholarship, which covers all tuition and fees plus a stipend for room and board for a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree for US citizens in any scientific, technical, or managerial cyber-related discipline. There is a service obligation working in a government cyber capacity upon graduation.
Dave Schroeder, Associate Director for Intelligence and Security Initiatives in the College of Letters & Science and a U.S. Army Cyber Warfare Officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, says that research and expertise were two of the big reasons UW was able to achieve its CAE-R designation. With it, the university is better positioned to access opportunities for funding and research dollars that could help attract new faculty members and students interested in pursuing research in cybersecurity.
“This makes UW even more attractive to students interested in pursuing careers in government, particularly in the area of cybersecurity,” Schroeder says. “A CAE-R institution is a gold standard in the field, and this places us at the forefront of developing the next generation of cyber experts.”
Schroeder organized UW–Madison’s CAE-R designation process with NSA.
This CAE-R designation is just the latest in an ongoing effort to increase UW’s involvement and impact in the cyber research field. In February, UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin signed an Educational Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Cyber Command to join its Academic Engagement Network. Later this fall, UW students will take part in a cyber exercise with government partners, similar to exercises in which the institution has participated in the past two years.
About the NCAE-C Program
The NCAE-C program is managed by the National Security Agency and housed within NSA’s schoolhouse, the National Cryptologic University. The National Cryptologic University designs, develops, and delivers curriculum in cryptology, cybersecurity, language, and leadership to members of the Intelligence Community.
Other NCAE-C federal partners include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer (DoD-CIO), and U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM).
Contact: Dave Schroeder, Associate Director for Intelligence and Security Initiatives, Collective for Research Impact and Social Partnerships (CRISP), College of Letters & Science, dave.schroeder@wisc.edu