SUNY Canton’s Cybersecurity Program Receives National Security Agency Endorsement

Published:

SUNY Canton’s thriving four-year Cybersecurity Program has reached the next stage in its evolution with a new designation from the U.S. Government.

The college has received notification that the program had been selected for the prestigious National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Program of Study Validation. According to NSA Program Manager Karen Leuschner, SUNY Canton’s ability to meet the demands of program validation will help serve the Nation when contributing to the protection of the national information infrastructure.

“A highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage,” Leuschner said. “The United States Government will continue to invest in and enhance programs that build the domestic talent pipeline, from primary through postsecondary education.”

NSA Validation will allow students to apply for full scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and other expenses. After graduation, students will be even more competitive in the regional and national job market.

National Security Agency Program of Study

“This is the first step in becoming a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through the NSA and DHS,” Ghazinour said. “They give our students a lot of resources to equip them for careers in cyber operations to help protect our national security infrastructure.”

Faculty and administration applied for the validation by proving academic rigor, strong assessment and graduate employment metrics. Currently, there are more than 200 students enrolled in the college’s Cybersecurity program, which is available in both in-person and online formats. It is the second-largest bachelor’s degree program at the college.

SUNY Canton joins several other colleges in New York who are similarly validated by the NSA, including Rochester Institute of Technology, the University at Buffalo, and the University at Albany. There are standing articulation agreements between Canton’s CJIC and UAlbany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity  providing students with a fast-track to earn graduate degrees.

About SUNY Canton

As Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificate programs, SUNY Canton delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, management, and healthcare fields. It is home to the Center for Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. As SUNY's leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 23 online degree programs. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos 15 traditional athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. SUNY Canton also features varsity esports and cheerleading.