The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security recently designated Texas A&M University as a National Center of Academic Excellence, both in education and in research. This well-regarded designation places Texas A&M amid a select group of only 30 universities who have earned both distinctions. Texas A&M has been dedicated to the advancement of cyber defense since the 1990’s, when the very first academic course utilizing an active attack-defense laboratory was created. Since that time, the university has continued to build a robust body of cybersecurity research under the direction of a strong faculty, and has graduated an impressive number of cybersecurity students. This coveted distinction aligns with the Cybersecurity Center’s vision to collaborate with strategic partners, and in doing so, move to the forefront of cybersecurity research. The center’s mission in education and research is to develop novel and innovative methods for cybersecurity education and to facilitate the conduct of ground-breaking, basic and applied cybersecurity research. As stated in the NSA designation letters, “[Texas A&M University’s] 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.” Dr. Daniel Ragsdale, Director, was chosen to lead the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center in 2015. Ragsdale along with Deputy Director, Lynn Schlemeyer, and many faculty and staff have since galvanized the effort for cyber defense within the Texas A&M system. The center will be formally recognized by the NSA and DHS at the National Cyber Security Summit in Huntsville, Alabama, on June 8, 2016.
