CAE in Cybersecurity Community
Center of Academic Excellence
CSUSB is a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity, recognized for leadership in education, research, and workforce development. The CAE in Cybersecurity designation recognizes institutions that demonstrate excellence in cybersecurity education and workforce preparation. In 2008, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated CSUSB as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance. As a reflection of our excellence, in 2021, CSUSB was redesignated as a CAE in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through 2028, recognized for our specialty areas in Cyber Investigations and Network Security Administration.
CAE in Cybersecurity Community
As the CAE Community National Center, funded by the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO) and managed by the NCAE Program Office at the NSA, CSUSB leads a network of more than 470 CAE institutions nationwide. Together, these institutions create pathways for students from K–12 through higher education to explore, prepare for, and enter cybersecurity careers, strengthening the national workforce. The CAE Community National Center offers three primary functions to the 470+ CAE institutions and projects:
1. Provide technical and logistical support for CAE events, activities, and curriculum
2. Provide a portal of CAE resources for the community, geographic regions, and the Nation as a whole
3. Engage and facilitate strategic initiatives for the Nation in the areas of research, student and faculty development, and other workforce development activities
The CAE in Cybersecurity Community also provides additional services to the community, including the CAE National Cybersecurity Virtual Career Fair, event management, travel assistance, and knowledge management. We work closely with the CAE-C Program Office to produce materials, resources, and tools for the CAE-C community.
CAE Events
The CAE-C Community hosts two main events each year, the CAE National Cybersecurity Virtual Career Fair and the CAE in Cybersecurity Symposium.
CAE National Cybersecurity Virtual Career Fair
The CAE National Cybersecurity Virtual Career Fair, sponsored by the National Cybersecurity Training and Education (NCyTE) Center and the CAE in Cybersecurity Community, invites all students and faculty from CAE-C designated institutions to network with employers from across the nation. Since 2016, over 10,000 students, alumni, and faculty from CAE-C designated institutions participated in the career fair. The next CAE National Cybersecurity Virtual Career Fair is September 22, 2026.
CAE in Cybersecurity Symposium
The CAE in Cybersecurity Community Symposium is an annual event that brings together faculty from NCAE designated Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) institutions to collaborate and share research. The primary goal of the symposium is to provide a dedicated platform for faculty to present their findings, discuss emerging trends in cybersecurity education, and explore solutions to common challenges within the academic community. This event serves as an opportunity for educators to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange ideas, and strengthen the CAE network, fostering innovation in cybersecurity education.
The CAE in Cybersecurity Community National Center is supported by a grant from the
Department of Defense Cyber Academic Engagement Office #HQ0034251E002