East Tennessee State University has been designated as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency.

This distinction recognizes ETSU and its Department of Computing as the region’s premier cybersecurity training institute. With only 400 to 500 universities and community colleges nationwide earning this honor, the designation places ETSU among an elite group and opens new opportunities in education, research and workforce development.

Community

As a CAE‑CD institution, ETSU is also committed to advancing cybersecurity awareness and literacy throughout the region. In support of this mission, the Department of Computing recently hosted a child online safety event that brought together local resources to help community members better understand available cybersecurity support and education. Education

Excelling in cybersecurity and cyber defense requires staying at the forefront of emerging technologies, and ETSU students experience that firsthand in the classroom.

“We’re incorporating cybersecurity, AI and other cutting-edge technologies into the classroom to give students a well-rounded understanding and the confidence to apply these skills in any career field,” said Dr. Michael Lehrfeld, associate professor in the Department of Computing and director of the Cybersecurity Innovation and Outreach Center. “Cybersecurity is part of every field, and our students are being equipped across disciplines to meet that reality.”

Dr. Michael Lehrfeld, associate professor in the Department of Computing and director of the Cybersecurity Innovation and Outreach Center Workforce and Economic Development

Through the CAE-CD designation, economic development and partnerships have been opened up for ETSU and the community. Companies in the public and private sectors have been interested in hiring computing students for fulltime or internship positions, and this distinction only reinforces the value of hiring ETSU students.