Auburn University is one of four colleges nationally that has been selected for the National Security Agency’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations Program.

“Auburn has devoted significant resources and interdisciplinary rigor across campus to expand new cyber initiatives and extensive collaboration with external organizations,” said Retired Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess, Jr., Auburn’s Senior Counsel for National Security Programs, Cyber Programs, and Military Affairs. “We are extremely pleased that NSA has recognized our efforts by selecting Auburn University for the program. It is important to the nation, and we want to be a part of the strategic way ahead and feel we can contribute to this national need.”

The Cyber Operations Program is part of the President’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, which “identifies institutions that have a deeply technical, interdisciplinary curriculum centered on fields such as computer science and electrical engineering.”

The agency works with universities and colleges to improve academics in engineering, math, science and technology.

Auburn had to go through a strict screening process before being selected for the program, which was created to train the next generation of professionals to protect the U.S. and her interests around the world from cyber attacks.

The program is jointly overseen by NSA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. With the selection, some Auburn representatives will also get the chance to engage in summer seminars at NSA.

NSA technical leader Steven LaFountain said several requirements are looked at in the selection process.

“In the application process and in all of its work with selected schools, NSA emphasizes the importance of integrity and compliance,” he said. “Cyber skills are increasingly important in national defense, but it’s even more important to operate as responsible citizens in the use of such skills.”

Other schools chosen for the 2013-2014 academic year include: Air Force Institute of Technology in Ohio, Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, and Mississippi State University.

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