COSTELLO CONGRATULATES SIUC FOR DESIGNATION AS CENTER OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE EDUCATION

U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) <span id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT194">today</span> lauded Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) for earning official designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE/IAE) from the National Security Agency (NSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. SIUC was notified in advance that it would receive the distinction, with the NSA recently making the formal announcement.

The CAE/IAE program was originally established by the NSA to reduce the vulnerability of our national cyber and network infrastructure by promoting information assurance in higher education and producing a greater number of graduates with the necessary background and expertise in a variety of computer and cyber defense disciplines.

SIUC is now one of 145 colleges and universities nationwide recognized as a Center of Academic Excellence. The designation is valid for five years, and selection involves meeting a series of specific criteria, such as faculty validation, technical curriculum review, school policies and practices, and outreach to K-12, community colleges and minority institutions.

"Being distinguished as a National Center of Academic Excellence is an incredible honor that will also provide students access to specific scholarship opportunities and offer faculty new funding and research opportunities," said Costello. "This is just one more example of SIUC's standing as one of the best universities in the nation."