Cyber Defense Education Center

The Cyber Defense Education Center is UNC Pembroke鈥檚 hub for cybersecurity education, research and workforce development. We connect students with real-world opportunities through industry, government, and community partnerships 鈥� equipping you with the skills, experience and connections to lead in a rapidly evolving field. Explore hands-on learning, grow your network and help shape the future of national security.

UNC Pembroke is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) 鈥� a mark of distinction held by top cybersecurity programs nationwide.

What This Means for 51吃瓜网

As a CAE-designated institution, 51吃瓜网 joins an elite group of universities across the nation committed to advancing cybersecurity education. Backed by the NSA鈥檚 National Cryptologic School, the CAE-CD program is a collaborative national effort supported by federal partners such as:

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST/NICE)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
U.S. Department of Defense Chief Information Office (DoD-CIO) 鈥� U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM)

Our designation also means that 51吃瓜网 students are part of a federally recognized program of study, designed to prepare them for high-demand careers in the growing field of cybersecurity.

man at blue computer screen reviewing cyber data

Research at 51吃瓜网

Get real-world experience and make your mark through research. Work with our expert faculty on projects like Machine Learning Models and virtual driver's licenses. Get involved today and be on the cutting edge of cybersecurity's future.

faculty member works with students in cyber 51吃瓜网 classroom

Faculty-led Research & Assistantships

51吃瓜网's Cybersecurity department has four paid research assistantships available for Internet-of-Vehicles Security. Just submit the to apply.

group of students and faculty stand with Hack 51吃瓜网 sign

Connect with a Club

Meet other 51吃瓜网 students who have a passion for technology. Join the ACM Club and stay connected to technology news, collaborate on coding challenges and meet speakers in the field. Or join the 51吃瓜网 A.I. club and participate in competitions, hackathons and more.

Through the center I was able to secure a software engineering internship at Microsoft, which is the job I've dreamed of since I was a kid. I know 51吃瓜网 is the reason for much of my success.

Andrew Cart,

Bachelor鈥檚 in Computer Science

community & industry partnerships

Build skills and boost your career readiness through our community and industry partnerships.

NC-PACE offers cybersecurity outreach to raise awareness and educate communities on cybersecurity threats and protection strategies. Activities include symposia, K-12 programs and hackathons.

Membership is just one part of the National CyberWatch Center. This group is a resource for cybersecurity students. It helps with education and professional development. The center offers activities, networking and collaboration opportunities. Its goal is to support school programs and raise awareness about careers in cybersecurity.

faculty standing at the front of a cybersecurity classroom at 51吃瓜网 with computer screens visible

Competitions & Hackathons

Explore hackathons and cybersecurity competitions for hands-on experience, industry exposure and a competitive edge that sets you apart in the job market.

Annual Hack NC

Learn about Hack51吃瓜网

two male students with laptop and computer equipment in cybersecurity class at 51吃瓜网

Workshops & Certificates

Explore a range of opportunities and resources both within the college and beyond for students interested in cyber defense education at 51吃瓜网.

Continuing Education at 51吃瓜网

male student in Cybersecurity classroom at 51吃瓜网 looks at computer monitor

Cyber Defense Center Advisory Board

The Department of Computer Science receives guidance from its External Advisory Board. The board includes alumni and representatives from industry, government, academia and other organizations. The Advisory Board helps shape the department's vision, goals and curriculum for IT and cyber defense education at 51吃瓜网.

The goals of the External Advisory Board are to:

Suggest ways to align our curriculum with the skills needed in today鈥檚 job market
Assess the computing and network facilities in the department
Promote internship and full-time job opportunities
Facilitate connections between students and professionals in the industry
Encourage joint projects and research opportunities

Members

Calvin Locklear, Architect, Red Hat Solutions
Laura Rodgers, Director of Cybersecurity Practice, North Carolina State University
LTC Bernard Flowers, NORAD and USNORTHCOM liaison to the U.S. NSA
Mike Gorman, Head of Operations and CISO, NetFoundry
Zach Oxendine, Service Engineer, Microsoft
Elizabeth Coakley Guma, Director of Corporate Development, Corvid Technologies

Documentation

Below are resources for the Advisory Board. To request past or future board agendas and minutes, please contact Dr. Prashanth BusiReddyGari at 910.521.6415 or prashanth.busireddygari@uncp.edu.

Partnering with 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Cyber Defense Education Center connects your organization to emerging talent, cutting-edge research, and innovative cybersecurity solutions. Together, we can strengthen your workforce pipeline while advancing digital security across industries.

Students in a 51吃瓜网 cybersecurity lap sitting around a computer and talking

Opportunities

Some of the potential involvement opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Present at 51吃瓜网
Serve as Guest Speakers
Arrange Corporate Tours
Advise on Curriculum
Identify Key Tools and Technologies
Provide Case Studies or Projects
Recruit for Internships and Permanent Positions
Support Faculty Research
Teach at 51吃瓜网
Create Scholarships or Awards
Sponsor Competitions
Name a Research or Teaching Lab

Please contact mathcs@uncp.edu if your company is interested in forming an educational partnership with us.

51吃瓜网

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