Summary of NSA Criteria for CAE / Cyber Operations

1. Academic Content (includes mandatory and optional content)

   100% of mandatory / 10 of the 18 optional

2. Cyber Operations Recognized via Degree, Certificate or Focus Area

   Cyber Operations must be explicitly recognized as a focus area or specialization and students must meet requirements to be awarded such recognition.

3. Program Accreditation or Curricula Review

   Accreditation of the academic program (CS, EE, CE) on which the proposal is based will be considered a significant plus. All programs will undergo an in-person curriculum review.

4. Cyber Operations Treated as an Inter-Disciplinary Science

   Cyber operations concepts must be integrated into foundational curriculum courses as appropriate.

5. Cyber Operations Academic Program is Robust and Active

   Evidence that courses are maintained current and offered frequently (e.g., every 18 months).

6. Faculty Involvement in Cyber Operations-related Research

   Evidence of faculty grants, papers published, conference presentations related to the field of Cyber Operations (i.e., with a particular emphasis on technologies and techniques related to specialized cyber operations such as collection, exploitation, and response. These technologies and techniques are critical to intelligence, military and law enforcement organizations authorized to perform these specialized operations).

7. Student Involvement in Cyber Operations-related Research

   Evidence of student work on grant research, papers published, conference presentations related to the field of Cyber Operations (i.e., with a particular emphasis on technologies and techniques related to specialized cyber operations such as collection, exploitation, and response. These technologies and techniques are critical to intelligence, military and law enforcement organizations authorized to perform these specialized operations).

8. Student Participation in Cyber Service-Learning Activities

   Evidence of participation in local/regional/national cyber exercises, outreach to community colleges and high schools, etc.

9. Commitment to Support the CAE-Cyber Operations Program

   Student applications to the CAE-Cyber Operations Summer Internship Program, comprehensive faculty participation in Knowledge Unit review and changes, and/or faculty support in the form of briefing or teaching during the CAE-Cyber Operations Summer Intern Program.

10. Number of Faculty Involved in Cyber Operations Education and Research Activities

    At least 2 faculty actively teaching cyber (i.e., non CS/EE/CE core) courses.