Texas A&M University is helping shape the future of cybersecurity, once again earning renewal of its National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation from the National Security Agency (NSA).
The university maintains all three available CAE designations — Cyber Defense, Cyber Operations and the most recent renewal of Cyber Research — placing the university among a select group of academic institutions recognized nationally for their comprehensive and high-impact contributions to cybersecurity.
The Cyber Research renewal specifically recognizes the computer science doctoral program at Texas A&M.
The recognition highlights Texas A&M’s leadership in the field as it prepares the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in multiple fields such as business, policy and engineering.
Dr. Drew Hamilton, director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center and professor of computer science and engineering, was pleased — but not surprised — to learn of the renewed designations.
Texas A&M’s Computer Science doctoral program scored perfectly on the peer and NSA reviews.
“The computer science department has a very deep bench when it comes to cybersecurity research,” Hamilton said. “In terms of peer-reviewed publications, extramural funding and graduate production, my colleagues in the department [in many cases] exceeded the NSA criteria by a factor of two or three times the requirements for the program.”
Texas A&M and NSA
Texas A&M earned its first CAE designations in Cyber Defense and Cyber Research in 2002, and the NSA renewed the designations in 2016. The university achieved its third and most technically demanding designation in 2017 — Cyber Operations.
Texas A&M has maintained all three distinctions and, with the latest designation, will continue the trend:
- Cyber Defense: For the B.S. in computer science with a cybersecurity minor (engineering track). Valid through 2028.
- Cyber Operations: For the B.S. in computer science with a cyber operations certificate. Valid through 2029.
- Cyber Research: For the Ph.D. in computer science. Valid through 2030.
Understanding NSA designations
The Cyber Defense designation prepares students to protect systems and networks against cyber threats. It emphasizes foundational cybersecurity knowledge and is often accessible to students across disciplines.
Cyber Operations is the most technically rigorous designation, requiring reverse engineering, software exploitation and hardware security expertise. Texas A&M’s computer science department offers a comprehensive curriculum covering the full spectrum of cyber operations.
The Cyber Research designation recognizes institutions with robust cybersecurity research programs. It requires evidence of peer-reviewed publications, significant research funding and doctoral-level education. Texas A&M faculty lead high-quality research initiatives and secure millions in extramural funding, including from the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
Why these designations matter
The NSA’s CAE program was launched more than two decades ago to recruit U.S. citizens with the technical skills and security clearances required to support national defense, a critical need in cybersecurity. As cyber threats have evolved, so has the CAE program, expanding to include education, research and operations tracks.
“These designations are more than accolades,” Hamilton said. “They are indicative of the technical depth as well as the practical utility of our cybersecurity research and academic programs.”
Recognizing Texas A&M Engineering’s cybersecurity research and academic programs validates the program’s ability to contribute meaningfully to national security. This allowed Texas A&M’s Cybersecurity Center to receive over $14 million in extramural funding in the past four years, with additional contracts pending.
These awards support more than 150 students from the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center, providing hands-on learning opportunities to complement classroom instructions and assist graduate and undergraduate research, like the engineering workforce development program, where students and professionals gain expertise and skills in emerging engineering fields.
In addition to supporting learning opportunities, faculty members also help shape national cybersecurity standards through leadership roles in the Cyber Operations Community of Practice, which defines academic requirements and best practices for the Cyber Operations designation.
Nearly $5 million in student scholarships is awarded through programs like the DOD Cyber Service Academy, which aims to recruit and retain qualified cybersecurity personnel for the demanding field. This year, Texas A&M enrolled a cohort of 10 scholarship recipients, the largest in the program’s history.
Looking ahead
Texas A&M’s cybersecurity programs are evolving to meet emerging challenges. One growing area of interest is space-based cybersecurity, which addresses vulnerabilities in aging satellite infrastructures. The university is also expanding workforce employment initiatives, allowing students to apply their knowledge on the job while completing their studies.
“We have unique strengths that are really recognized by these three certifications,” Hamilton said. “We can make that accessible to a lot of different students, and within the center, we help several students earn DOD-recognized [non-degree] cyber certifications.”
The institution’s commitment to growing students’ skills and knowledge is equally strong. By integrating cybersecurity into engineering education and offering certifications and minors, Texas A&M ensures graduates are technically proficient and ready to serve in roles requiring security clearances and specialized knowledge.
Texas A&M’s continued recognition by the NSA highlights its pivotal role in shaping the future of cyber defense, research and operations.