Cyber Defense Education Center

The Cyber Defense Education Center is UNC Pembroke’s hub for cybersecurity education, research and workforce development. We connect students with real-world opportunities through industry, government, and community partnerships — equipping you with the skills, experience and connections to lead in a rapidly evolving field. Explore hands-on learning, grow your network and help shape the future of national security.
cybersecurity design UNCP

A National Center of
Academic Excellence

UNC Pembroke is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) — a mark of distinction held by top cybersecurity programs nationwide. 

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What This Means for UNCP

As a CAE-designated institution, UNCP joins an elite group of universities across the nation committed to advancing cybersecurity education. Backed by the NSA’s National Cryptologic School, the CAE-CD program is a collaborative national effort supported by federal partners such as:

  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST/NICE)
  • National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • U.S. Department of Defense Chief Information Office (DoD-CIO) • U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM)

Our designation also means that UNCP students are part of a federally recognized program of study, designed to prepare them for high-demand careers in the growing field of cybersecurity.

A leader in cyber education

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Research at UNCP

Get real-world experience and make your mark through research. Work with our expert faculty on projects like Machine Learning Models and virtual driver's licenses. Get involved today and be on the cutting edge of cybersecurity's future.

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Faculty-led Research & Assistantships

UNCP's Cybersecurity department has four paid research assistantships available for Internet-of-Vehicles Security. Just submit the interest form to apply.

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Connect with a Club

Meet other UNCP students who have a passion for technology. Join the ACM Club and stay connected to technology news, collaborate on coding challenges and meet speakers in the field. Or join the UNCP A.I. club and participate in competitions, hackathons and more.

Through the center I was able to secure a software engineering internship at Microsoft, which is the job I've dreamed of since I was a kid. I know UNCP is the reason for much of my success.
Andrew Cart,
Bachelor’s in Computer Science

community & industry partnerships

Build skills and boost your career readiness through our community and industry partnerships.

North Carolina Cybersecurity Ecosystem
NC-PACE offers cybersecurity outreach to raise awareness and educate communities on cybersecurity threats and protection strategies. Activities include symposia, K-12 programs and hackathons.

National Cyberwatch Center
Membership is just one part of the National CyberWatch Center. This group is a resource for cybersecurity students. It helps with education and professional development. The center offers activities, networking and collaboration opportunities. Its goal is to support school programs and raise awareness about careers in cybersecurity.

faculty standing at the front of a cybersecurity classroom at UNCP with computer screens visible

Workshops & Certificates

Explore a range of opportunities and resources both within the college and beyond for students interested in cyber defense education at UNCP.


male student in Cybersecurity classroom at UNCP looks at computer monitor

Cyber Defense Center Advisory Board

The Department of Computer Science receives guidance from its External Advisory Board. The board includes alumni and representatives from industry, government, academia and other organizations. The Advisory Board helps shape the department's vision, goals and curriculum for IT and cyber defense education at UNCP.

The goals of the External Advisory Board are to:

  • Suggest ways to align our curriculum with the skills needed in today’s job market
  • Assess the computing and network facilities in the department
  • Promote internship and full-time job opportunities
  • Facilitate connections between students and professionals in the industry
  • Encourage joint projects and research opportunities
  • Calvin Locklear, Architect, Red Hat Solutions
  • Laura Rodgers, Director of Cybersecurity Practice, North Carolina State University
  • LTC Bernard Flowers, NORAD and USNORTHCOM liaison to the U.S. NSA
  • Mike Gorman, Head of Operations and CISO, NetFoundry
  • Zach Oxendine, Service Engineer, Microsoft
  • Elizabeth Coakley Guma, Director of Corporate Development, Corvid Technologies

Below are resources for the Advisory Board. To request past or future board agendas and minutes, please contact Dr. Prashanth BusiReddyGari at 910.521.6415 or prashanth.busireddygari@uncp.edu.

Partner with us

Partnering with UNCP’s Cyber Defense Education Center connects your organization to emerging talent, cutting-edge research, and innovative cybersecurity solutions. Together, we can strengthen your workforce pipeline while advancing digital security across industries.
Students in a UNCP cybersecurity lap sitting around a computer and talking

Opportunities

Some of the potential involvement opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Present at UNCP
  • Serve as Guest Speakers
  • Arrange Corporate Tours
  • Advise on Curriculum
  • Identify Key Tools and Technologies
  • Provide Case Studies or Projects
  • Recruit for Internships and Permanent Positions
  • Support Faculty Research
  • Teach at UNCP
  • Create Scholarships or Awards
  • Sponsor Competitions
  • Name a Research or Teaching Lab
Please contact mathcs@uncp.edu if your company is interested in forming an educational partnership with us.

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