Service Area 01
Build & Sustain the Academic Cyber Ecosystem
From K–12 pipeline programs to CAE designation and faculty development, CAEO strengthens the academic institutions that produce the cyber professionals America needs.
01
Inspire & Engage Early Talent
K–12 outreach and competitions that ignite interest in cybersecurity careers.
CyberPatriot
National Youth Cyber Education Program by the Air & Space Forces Association — inspiring K-12 students toward cyber careers through competitions, camps, and curricula.
GenCyber
Free K-12 cyber camps providing hands-on cybersecurity experience to increase student opportunity and readiness for cybersecurity college and career pathways.
RING
Free online high school cybersecurity course aligned to the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework, covering ethics, network security, and ethical hacking basics.
RING-AI
AI course for high school students delivering 150+ hours of content aligned to Cyber AI Knowledge Units and the DCWF — from AI history and ethics through machine learning in cybersecurity.
DoW STARBASE
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program at military installations introducing K-12 students to STEM to spark interest in cyber and defense careers.
02
Enable Academic Institutions
Designation, resources, and community for colleges and universities.
NCAE-C
NSA-managed program designating colleges and universities as CAE-CD, CAE-CO, CAE-R, or CAE-CAI — setting national standards for cybersecurity curriculum and competency development.
CAE Community
National center supporting and empowering 490+ CAE-designated institutions through centralized resources, technical support, and strategic workforce development initiatives.
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.
03
Build Academic Capability
Faculty development and curriculum strengthening at CAE schools.
Early Faculty Seminars
CAEO-sponsored seminars giving new and transitioning faculty hands-on exposure to Department of War cyber priorities, building educators who understand national security requirements.
Faculty Augmentation & Exchange
Exchange program placing Department of War cyber professionals in academic environments and sending faculty into Department of War organizations to bridge the gap between academia and operational cyber missions.
NCTC
NCTC providing structured, Department of War-aligned professional development for faculty and institutional cyber leads across the CAE network.
04
Connect the Cyber Academic Community
National networks that link institutions with Department of War and each other.
CCNC
Entry point for colleges seeking Academic Validation or NCAE-C Designation — providing mentoring, resources, and application support to improve cybersecurity education nationwide.
UC2
UC2 aligns university research, education, and innovation with national defense priorities through research challenges, workshops, and Department partnerships.
USCYBERCOM Academic Engagement Network
Direct communication network between USCYBERCOM and CAE-designated institutions, providing academia visibility into operational cyber priorities and Department of War workforce needs.