BOSTON, 2025-06-19 02:28:00
MassBay Community College Earns Cybersecurity Excellence Designation
MassBay Community College in Massachusetts has been recognized as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defence, becoming the first community college in the state to achieve this.
- MassBay is the first community college in Massachusetts to receive this designation.
- The CAE-CD designation is awarded to institutions promoting higher education and research in cyber defense.
- The college has also received two meaningful grants to enhance its cybersecurity programs.
MassBay Community college has been awarded the prestigious designation of a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Centers of Academic excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). this recognition highlights MassBay’s commitment to bolstering the nation’s cyber infrastructure and training future cybersecurity professionals.
What does the CAE-CD designation mean? The CAE-CD designation is given to academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees and certificates, playing a crucial role in minimizing threats to national infrastructure by promoting education and research in cyber defense. This prestigious recognition is awarded to accredited institutions that provide cybersecurity degrees or certificates.
“We are extremely proud,but not surprised,that our cybersecurity programs have been acknowledged with this prestigious designation,” saeid MassBay President David Podell.”Our cybersecurity programs are cutting-edge, and we have been educating the country’s future workforce to protect our privacy and the national cyber infrastructure for many years now. This designation is another confirmation that our cybersecurity programs stand among the highest quality anywhere.”
Did you know?-the need for cybersecurity professionals is growing rapidly.The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics projects a 33% growth in cybersecurity jobs from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
MassBay is the sole institution of higher education in Massachusetts to offer an associate degree in cybersecurity. This CAE-CD recognition follows the White House’s acknowledgement of MassBay’s cybersecurity programs as a model programme in August 2023, during the release of the Biden-Harris Governance’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy.
As its inception in 2013 as a certificate program, MassBay’s cybersecurity offerings have grown to include an advanced cybersecurity certificate and an associate degree in cybersecurity. The college has also secured significant grants to amplify its educational reach. In 2021, MassBay received a national Science Foundation (NSF) grant of $598,712, focusing on diversifying the cybersecurity field. In the fall of 2023, the college was awarded $804,162 from the Healey-Driscoll Administration to augment cyber training in Massachusetts. these funds facilitated the establishment of a cyber range, a state-of-the-art virtual habitat for honing cyber defense skills.
Reader question:-With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, what skills do you think are most crucial for future cybersecurity professionals to develop?
“MassBay Community College continues to lead the way in preparing Massachusetts students for the jobs of the future. as the first community college in Massachusetts to be named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, MassBay is not only training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals – it’s strengthening our workforce, our economy, and our national security,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is proud to invest in programs like these that open doors for students, expand opportunity, and protect the digital infrastructure we all rely on.”
“During STEM Week, I had the opportunity to visit MassBay and see firsthand the College’s state-of-the-art cyber range in action – and I was blown away. This designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense confirms what I saw that day: MassBay is doing truly extraordinary work to prepare students for one of the most urgent and fast-growing fields of our time,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler.
“MassBay’s national recognition as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense is the result of years of hard work-and a powerful example of how investments in community colleges are paying off,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka [D-Ashland]. “This prestigious designation affirms that students at MassBay are gaining the in-demand, cutting-edge skills that grow salaries, launch careers, and strengthen our workforce right here in Massachusetts. Congratulations to President Podell, Provost Jackson, and the dedicated faculty and staff of the Center for Cybersecurity Education on this remarkable achievement.”
“This national recognition underscores the vital role of public higher education in preparing students for critical fields like cybersecurity,said Senator Cynthia Stone believe [D-newton]. “MassBay’s achievement as the first community college in the state to receive this designation is a testament to the impact of forward-thinking programs that strengthen both our workforce and our national resilience.”
“the commitment demonstrated by MassBay to developing a highly skilled workforce dedicated to safeguarding both personal privacy and national cybersecurity is truly deserving of this recognition,” said Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch [D-Wellesley]. “Both faculty and students should take great pride in their efforts. this designation by the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity reaffirms the significant value and impact of this program.”
The cybersecurity programs at MassBay are led by Shamsi Moussavi, Computer Science Professor and Director of the MassBay Center for Cybersecurity Education; Tony Sena, Professor and chair of the Computer Science department; and Kara Lucciola, J.D., Professor of legal Studies and Criminal Justice, specializing in cyber law and cybercrime.
“Cybersecurity impacts all citizens on a daily basis, making it vital that we have an educated workforce ready to protect us,” said Professor Moussavi. “The investments MassBay has made in cybersecurity has ensured students will receive the skills and knowledge they need to launch careers in the constantly evolving, complex cybersecurity industry. And, in doing so, they will have a direct impact on the future of our national security and the stability of our economy.”
The Expanding Landscape of cybersecurity Education at MassBay
The recent recognition of MassBay Community College as a Center of academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) signifies more than just an achievement; it’s a testament to the evolving nature of cybersecurity education and a proactive approach to addressing the growing skills gap in this critical field. This designation acknowledges MassBay’s efforts to cultivate a skilled workforce equipped to combat modern cyber threats. moreover, it underscores the importance of investing in community colleges as vital hubs for career-focused training and workforce development [[1]].
As the digital world becomes increasingly complex, the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to surge. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects
