The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has achieved a significant milestone, earning redesignation as a National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in Cyber Research (CAE-R) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This prestigious designation, awarded to fewer than 20% of NCAE’s 487 institutions, reaffirms AFIT's unwavering commitment to pioneering research and education in the critical field of cybersecurity through 2030 and beyond.

The CAE-R program recognizes institutions that demonstrate sustained excellence in graduate-level cybersecurity research. AFIT’s graduate programs continue to meet the demanding program criteria and advance the nation’s ability to protect its critical information infrastructure. This mission directly supports the National Cyber Strategy, which highlights the urgent need for a stronger cybersecurity workforce, stating: “A highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage.” 

“Since the last designation, AFIT faculty and students have published more than 100 journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters, and raised nearly $5M in cybersecurity-related research funding. 

These efforts underscore AFIT’s leadership in developing innovative approaches to emerging cyber challenges while preparing the next generation of cyber professionals,” said Maj. Anthony Rose, AFIT Center for Cyberspace Research (CCR) director. 

AFIT has a long history of excellence in cyber education and research. In 2002, AFIT established the CCR as one of its first dedicated research centers, which led to AFIT being named the Air Force Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence (AF CyTCoE) in 2008. 

AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management (GSEM) offers doctoral and master’s degree programs in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science as well as cyber-specific master’s programs in cyber operations and cyber systems. CCR faculty direct graduate research focused on Department of Defense (DoD) priorities, such as critical infrastructure protection, network intrusion detection, malicious software analysis, space-based cyber defense, and the integration of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) into cyber operations and the cyber domain. The CAE-R designation through 2030 continues this legacy and strengthens AFIT’s position as a leader in cyberspace education and research.

More information on AFIT’s Center for Cyberspace Research can be found here: https://www.AFIT.edu/CCR/.

More information on the NSA CAE program can be found here: https://www.caecommunity.org/.

About AFIT
AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to innovatively accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and USSF. AFIT’s vision is to lead defense-focused education, research and consultation to accelerate military superiority across all domains and is accomplished through operationally relevant advanced academic education, research, and professional continuing education. For more information, please visit the AFIT webpage https://www.afit.edu/ or contact the Graduate School of Engineering and Management at AFIT.EN.Outreach@us.af.mil.