Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--For the third time since 2001, Mississippi State is earning designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, a program designed to support federal goals for a secure cyberspace.
The designation by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security recognizes approximately 80 colleges and universities meeting stringent criteria, said Ray Vaughn, MSU William L. Giles Professor of Computer Science and Engineering.
Vaughn, who directs the university's Center for Computer Security Research, said the prestigious NSA credential acknowledges MSU's success in meeting standards for academic course offerings, state-of-the-art laboratories, faculty research, collaboration with other universities, and commitment to institutional practices, among others.
"In order to become a Center of Academic Excellence, a university must demonstrate that its computer security courses meet standards published by the Committee on National Security Standards," he explained.
Once the courses are certified, an institution must additionally demonstrate compliance with 10 criteria that range from outreach beyond the university to active research in the field of information assurance, he added.
MSU was among the first 26 institutions receiving credentials under the program and now holds certification through 2012.
Holding the Center of Academic Excellence designation has allowed the university to seek additional federal funding for areas of benefit to the nation and state, Vaughn said.
"Through the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation, we participate in the Cyber Corps program that offers full scholarships to students who work for the U.S. government following graduation," he explained.
Mississippi State has provided scholarships to more than 50 students, with funding in place for several more years. Students currently are working for the Army, Navy, Air Force, national intelligence community, and Sandia National Laboratory, among others.
Through the CAE program credentials, Mississippi State was able to demonstrate a capability to the Department of Justice to offer law enforcement training, Vaughn said.
"Through the Southeast Regional Forensics Training Center, we have offered no-cost instruction to approximately 800 police officers and judges throughout the region," he said.
Collaboration with Mississippi's attorney general's office, FBI and Jackson State University has given hands-on training in the basics of conducting forensics investigations of such computer crimes as child pornography and identity theft. The initiative is led by David A. Dampier, associate professor in the computer science and engineering department.
In addition to the practical applications of cyber security, Vaughn said the CAE also has helped forge research relationships with faculty members at JSU and the University of Mississippi.
"Through both education and research, Mississippi State is taking a leadership role in this rapidly growing field," Vaughn said.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, telephone Dr. Vaughn at 662-325-7450.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.