·01 — What is NCAE-C?
The gold standard in cybersecurity education designation.
The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by National Security Agency (NSA) National Cryptologic School and overseen by CAEO. It designates community colleges and universities across four tracks — Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), Cyber Operations (CAE-CO), Cyber Research (CAE-R), and Cyber AI (CAE-CAI) — that meet rigorous standards for cybersecurity curriculum, faculty development, and research. With 490+ designated institutions nationwide, NCAE-C identifies schools with nationally verified cybersecurity programs for students, supports faculty development and community outreach, and establishes the national benchmark for academic cyber excellence.
·01
Designation tracks
Cyber Defense, Cyber Operations, Cyber Research, and Cyber AI — choose the right fit.
·02
Curriculum mapping
Map your programs to the CAE Knowledge Units and DoD 8140 work roles.
·03
Community access
Once designated, join the CAE Community for resources, grants, and convenings.
·02 — Related programs
Other ways into build ecosystem.
Programs in the same sub-service — Enable Academic Institutions.
BUILD / 01designation
Enable Academic Institutions
CAE Community
National center supporting and empowering 490+ CAE-designated institutions through centralized resources, technical support, and strategic workforce development initiatives.
BuildLearn More →
BUILD / 01training
Enable Academic Institutions
CLARK Resources
Cybersecurity Labs and Resource Knowledge Base — developing and compiling CAE Knowledge Unit-aligned curriculum and lab resources for 2-year and 4-year institutions.
BuildLearn More →
FUND / 01grant
Grants
NCAE-C Grants
Institutional grants available to all CAE-designated schools to develop curriculum, build lab capacity, hire cyber faculty, and expand programs aligned to CAE Knowledge Units.
FundLearn More →