Boise State named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research

The National Security Agency designated Boise State University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research through the 2030 academic year, highlighting the university's outstanding research contributions and commitment to advancing cybersecurity.

As one of a select group of institutions recognized for excellence in cyber research, Boise State joins a distinguished cohort of leaders in cybersecurity innovation. There are less than 100 designated institutions in the nation, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University and Vanderbilt University.

The designation underscores the university's rigorous Ph.D. programs, impactful interdisciplinary research and growing national reputation in cybersecurity defense and resilience.

"Our computer science and cybersecurity programs are at the forefront of preparing the next generation of impactful leaders in technology for Idaho and the region," College of Engineering Dean Amy Fleischer said. "Our growth over the past decade highlights Idaho, Boise State and our commitment to fostering innovation and delivering skilled workforce-ready graduates. We are excited to continue building on this success with our newest national designation."

Key benefits of the recognition include enhanced access to federal grants and specialized research partnerships, creating pathways for automated research, cybersecurity solutions and heightened collaborations with defense and intelligence organizations.

The Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research designation isn't the first time Boise State has received recognition from the NSA for their efforts in cyber. In 2022, Boise State was designated as a National Center for Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2027 based upon the university's proven efforts to reduce threats to national infrastructure with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Boise State offers more cybersecurity-related courses and programs than any other higher education institution in Idaho.

"Earning the CAE-R designation affirms Boise State's strength in cybersecurity research, opening new opportunities for collaboration with government, national laboratories, and industry, helping us recruit and retain exceptional faculty, researchers, and students to our state and region," said Gaby Dagher, project lead and associate professor of computer science.

After nearly two decades of remarkable growth in Boise State's Department of Computer Science, the commitment to education, research, and meeting the demands of a growing technology workforce, led to the creation of a doctoral program in Computing in 2016.

In nearly a decade since its inception, the computing Ph.D. program has been the fastest growing doctoral program at Boise State. Just three students enrolled in the program's inaugural semester and the program now experiences annual enrollment of more than 70 students.

These students, along with undergraduates and masters students in Cyber Operations and Resilience and Cybersecurity, now make up the college's School of Computing.

With the growing demand for cybersecurity solutions, Boise State is well-positioned to lead Idaho forward, supporting the state's needs from operational security at rural utility services to leveraging artificial intelligence to secure Idaho's power grid.

"Boise State students will have the durable skills to tackle our future security challenges, with the relevant experience to have an impact today," School of Computing Director Ira Burton said.

The designation now strengthens Boise State's aspirations to become a leading hub of cybersecurity innovation as the only institution to hold GenCyber, CyberCorps Scholarship for Service, and DoD Cyber Service Academy in the state of Idaho. The Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research designation is awarded to Department of Defense schools, PhD producing military academies or regionally accredited, degree granting four-year institutions rated by the Carnegie Foundation system.

Share This

• Share on Facebook
• Share on X
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share through Email