Center for Cyber Defense and Digital Forensics

The Edmonds College Center for Cyber Defense and Digital Forensics promotes the advancement of knowledge in digital forensics and information technology security. Supported by the Edmonds College Computer Information Systems Department and the Cyber Defense and Digital Forensics program, the center serves as a resource for the collection and dissemination of information in these fields.

The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated Edmonds College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). As noted on nsa.gov, the NCAE-C program aims to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with community colleges, colleges, and universities that:

• Establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence,
• Includes competency development among students and faculty,
• Values community outreach and leadership in professional development,
• Integrates cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines,
• Actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.

Edmonds College was first awarded designation as a NCAE-C institution in 2017. The college has been an active member of the CAE Community ever since. Edmonds College will be re-designated as a National Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) institution in 2025, which lasts through 2030.

Institutions must demonstrate in sufficient detail how they meet program criteria specified by the sponsor of the program, the National Security Agency (NSA). CAE-CD designated institutions focus on preparing graduates to help reduce threats to our national infrastructure through higher education and research in cyber defense. The NCAE designation allows institutions to be able to compete for grants like the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Scholarship for Service program.