Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is one of only three higher education institutions in the state to be recognized as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).
The designation is awarded by the National Security Agency’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program. It signifies that EICC’s Cybersecurity, Associate in Applied Science degree met all criteria established by the NSA, FBI, CISA and its other federal partners, according to an EICC news release. The NSA grants designations to institutions offering cybersecurity programs that are committed to producing mature cybersecurity professionals who will reduce vulnerabilities in the national infrastructure.
The CAE-CD designation is valid through 2028.
“Earning the CAE-CD designation indicates the maturity of our Cybersecurity program. We’ve been building and strengthening the program since 2015,” said Roberta Osmers, EICC IT program coordinator and instructor.
Program be done online
EICC’s Cybersecurity AAS can be completed fully online in as little as two years and equips students with the skills to immediately enter the workforce. The curriculum is intentionally mapped to certifications, including CompTIA and Cisco, and EICC provides students with tools for success, including practice exams and a testing center.
“We’re very excited about the additional resources this brings to the program, including new tools, training and curriculum for instructors, as well as CAE-only career fairs, conferences, scholarships and internship opportunities for students,” Ms. Osmers said in the news release.
Students in EICC cybersecurity programs also build on their online education through many additional resources and opportunities. The EICC Cyber Center was designed to meet regional demand for high-quality cybersecurity education and training; students are active in the National Cybersecurity Student Association; compete in National Cyber League events; and participate in regional conferences including CornCon Cybersecurity and Women in IT.
EICC serves more than 12,000 students each year, making it the sixth largest college in Iowa. The district spans five counties and holds 17 facilities, including three main campuses. The college also offers certificate, diploma and degree programs in Networking, Programming, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Data Analytics and Web Development.
