GW NAMED A CENTER OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN

INFORMATION ASSURANCE EDUCATION

School of Engineering and Applied Science Playing a Key Role in
Preparing Professionals to Help Protect America’s Cyberspace

WASHINGTON – The U.S. government’s National Security Agency has designated George Washington University a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.  This designation recognizes GW as one of a select group of universities across the United States that play a key role in educating professionals to protect America’s cyberspace.

The NSA established the Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education program to reduce vulnerabilities in our nation’s critical information infrastructure by promoting higher education in information assurance and producing a greater number of professionals with information assurance expertise.  The President’s National Plan for Information Systems Protection, issued in January 2000, further highlights the role that American higher education plays in preparing professionals to help protect the U.S. information infrastructure. 

GW is one of just 36 universities in the U.S. that the NSA has certified as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.  To be selected, a university must meet rigorous NSA criteria that measure both the depth and maturity of the university’s established education and research programs in information assurance.

GW’s School of Engineering and Applied Science is taking the lead in information security through research and graduate programs in its Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Department and its Computer Science Department.  Through the SEAS departments, GW offers graduate certificates, masters of science degrees, and doctoral research in information and computer security.  Because of its designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, GW is also now eligible to receive grants that provide full scholarships to students.

“As a university with a strong focus on academic excellence, GW is very pleased to be among the handful of institutions receiving certification this year as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education,” said GW’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Donald R. Lehman.  “Because this is an area that is so critical to our nation's security, I am especially proud of the School of Engineering and Applied Science for demonstrating outstanding leadership and expertise in this field.

“This certification will enable our students to qualify for federal scholarships that will place them in key government positions upon graduation, thus continuing the GW tradition of education leading to public service and policy making,” Lehman added.

GW received the certificate that designates it a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education at the Conference of the National Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education on June 4, 2002.  Microsoft hosted the conference and ceremony at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. 

In addition to the NSA designation, the Committee on National Security Systems has certified that the GW information assurance curriculum meets federal standards for educating the professionals responsible for the security of the U.S. Government’s information infrastructure. 

The School of Engineering and Applied Science prepares engineers to address society’s technological challenges by providing outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and professional educational experiences and by stimulating and promoting innovative, fundamental and applied research activities.

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©2002 The George Washington University Office of University Relations, Washington, D.C.
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