Fairfield University’s School of Engineering received a designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-C) by the National Security Agency, the university announced on Tuesday morning. 

The designation recognizes the school’s commitment to cybersecurity education and its role in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure, according to a press release.

“This designation is a testament to the quality of our graduate cybersecurity programs and the outstanding faculty conducting research and delivering industry-relevant content,” said Dean Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD.

The School of Engineering and Computing has one specific lab classroom in the Bannow Science Center dedicated to cybersecurity studies.

With the new designation, the university aims to play a key role in securing the nation’s digital future. In the press release, Fairfield said the designation is effective through 2030.

“There are two important milestones in this recognition,” said Associate Dean Mirco Speretta, PhD, director of the Cybersecurity program. First, the formal validation of our Master in Cybersecurity program. Second, the acknowledgment of Fairfield’s robust cybersecurity infrastructure.”

In the U.S. News & World Report Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, the SEC was ranked 78th in the national list of schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a bachelor’s or master’s.

Recently, the university has taken a more engaging role in promoting cybersecurity best practices on and off the North Benson campus. Earlier this year, Fairfield hosted a Campus Connect event at the downtown bookstore on cybersecurity threats and best practices. The event was led by Dr. Speretta, Fairfield Police Detective Brian Griffin and Sergeant Jenna Wellington.

According to the NSA, schools with the NCAE-C program designation are recognized because of their standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence, the integration of cybersecurity practices across academic disciplines and “actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.”

In the state of Connecticut, only seven other institutions, including Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University and the United States Coast Guard Academy, have earned a classification as a National Center of Academic Excellence.