Duke University Earns NSA Designation as a National Center for Academic Excellence

In April 2025, Duke University and its Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity earned a designation from the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD). This recognition reflects Duke’s leadership in cybersecurity education and discovery.

“We are exceptionally proud of receiving the NSA NCAE-CD designation,” said Jerome Lynch, Vinik Dean of the Pratt School of Engineering. “It not only indicates our program meets the highest standards in cybersecurity education, but more importantly, it truly celebrates our innovative curriculum, exceptional faculty and talented students.”

In partnership with the National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and U.S. Cyber Command, among other federal partners, the NCAE-CD program aims to develop and manage a collaborative cybersecurity initiative in partnership with community colleges, colleges and universities. 

To qualify for a designation, higher education institutions must demonstrate community outreach and leadership in professional development, integrate cybersecurity practices across academic disciplines and address challenges in cybersecurity education, among additional criteria outlined on the NCAE-CD website. 

The Duke Cybersecurity Hub was established as a focal point of the Duke cybersecurity community that includes students, faculty and industry partners affiliated with the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke Law and the Department of Computer Science. The innovative, rigorous curriculum aligned to the latest industry trends and interdisciplinary collaboration are key strengths that led to the NSA-CD designation. Cybersecurity graduates will earn an NCAE certificate issued by Duke University, attesting to the completion of the NSA-validated program of study.

“Duke Engineering’s achievement of this prestigious designation is a testament to the strength and quality of an education at the university,” shared Arturo Ehuan, executive director of Duke’s Cybersecurity Master of Engineering program. “I am proud of the Duke team members who dedicated countless hours to realizing this significant distinction. This designation will open incredible scholarship and research opportunities for students and faculty with the U.S. government and other institutions across the nation.” 

The Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity at Duke Engineering prepares students to meet the demands of today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Courses that reflect the latest industry trends and demands are available both online and on campus. Students gain interdisciplinary expertise, advanced technical skills, and leadership experience through a curriculum designed for flexibility and real-world adaptability. 

In addition to the graduate program, Duke offers a range of cybersecurity learning opportunities for professionals, including the annual Cybersecurity at Duke conference and a portfolio of executive education programs such as the CISO Executive Education Certificate.  

Cybersecurity at Duke is a two-day event held each fall that convenes cybersecurity leaders, IT professionals, policymakers and legal experts to advance innovation and best practices in the field. Registration for the October 23-24, 2025, event is available on the conference website. 

The CISO Executive Education Certificate is a seven-week program designed to equip chief information security officers and other senior executives in government and industry with the tools needed to confront modern cybersecurity threats. Led by global experts and practitioners, the curriculum includes topics such as cloud security, operational technology security, artificial intelligence security and more. Like all Duke Cybersecurity executive education certificates, the deadline to apply is April 30, 2025. 

As cybersecurity continues to evolve, Duke Engineering remains committed to leading the way with cutting-edge education and cross-disciplinary collaboration.