Cyber Defense Education

While the primary mission is supporting deep understanding of and intensive training in cyber topics for future cyber defense professionals, the CCDE also strongly advocates a more savvy cyber posture for practitioners of all academic disciplines, occupations, and walks of life.

The center is organized under the auspices of the Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.

Our goal is to strengthen the cybersecurity aptitude of our entire community of scholars so they are equipped to wisely balance the unique risks of living in an all-digital future.

Our mission is to graduate qualified cyber defense professionals who rigorously adhere to the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity and possess the skills necessary for thinking critically about cybersecurity issues and effectively solving problems in the cyberspace domain.

These professionals will design, employ, and manage information systems and communication networks for governmental, private, and non-profit organizations using a risk-balanced approach that maximizes confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems while minimizing the impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of organizational operations.

UNCW is designated as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) through 2023, a designation given by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The UNCW program that meets the curriculum requirements of NSA’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program is the B.S. in Information Technology with Cybersecurity Concentration.

UNCW is an active member of the CAE in Cybersecurity Community. 

The UNCW IT Security section ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and digital devices for the UNCW community. Find out how IT works to protect your information from cyber attacks. 

Learn More About UNCW's IT Safeguards

UNCW has an active student organization that focuses on cybersecurity awareness, education and application, including participation in competitions that enable them to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom.

Learn More About the UNCW Cyber Defense Club