This post is an effort to follow up on a conversation from The December 2021 OODA Network Member Meeting regarding “The Security Community:  Communication Style, Public Relations, Outreach Efforts, and Workforce Skills” (which came up when discussing responses to the Log4Shell threat and pro bono efforts by OODA Network members).  We are not sure about the specific opportunities for workforce development and collaboration with the DoD in this new effort, but we think there is certainly a lot of potential here.

As reported by Joe Billingsley from the National Defense University:

Earlier this month, the University Consortium for Cybersecurity (UC2) was launched at a gathering of cyber leaders from the Department of Defense hosted by the National Defense University’s College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington.    The CIC will coordinate the efforts of the UC2.  “As part of both DOD and academia, CIC is a natural hub for thought leadership on strategic cyber issues, and we’re so happy to serve as the UC2 coordination center,” Cassandra C. Lewis, CIC chancellor said.

Speakers at the event included David Frederick, executive director of Cyber Command, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Dennis Crall, Joint Staff J6, and Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering and the chief technology officer for DOD.  Lt. Gen. Dennis Crall “I hire everyone I can get out of CIC. They’re ready as soon as they walk in the door. I’m a big believer in that college.”

Jim Alves-Foss, director of the Center for Secure and Dependable Systems at the University of Idaho, provided remarks and represented universities across the nation at the kickoff event. His organization, a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, was selected to serve as the UC2 support center.  (1)

From Next.gov:

“UC2 emerges at a time when hospitals, universities and governments are confronting serious cybersecurity threats and incidents. But its roots trace back to a section in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2020, which requires the Defense secretary to stand one or more consortia of universities to assist the department on cybersecurity matters. Such matters listed in the legislation include allowing DOD to access the expertise of those institutions, offering insight on schools’ cybersecurity needs and feedback on department research pursuits, acting as a formal mechanism for engagement—and more.”

Further Resources

University Consortium for Cybersecurity Coordination Center

U.S. Cyber Command – Academic Engagement

U.S. Cyber Command Academic Engagement Strategy Webinar

Center for Secure and Dependable Systems (CSDS) – University of Idaho

NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence

CISA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE–C) | National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (cisa.gov)

The National Security Agency (NSA) CAE Program Office manages the National Centers of Academic Excellence in
Cybersecurity program, with three designations. These are:

CAE in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE), sponsored by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. These are Bachelors and Graduate programs that have met the stringent academic standards and institutional criteria established by NSA and DHS for designation. These programs contribute graduates to the cyber workforce in support of the nation’s industry and government employers.

CAE in Cyber Research (CAE-R), sponsored by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. These programs reflect the highest achievement and quality programs in cybersecurity research at educational institutions in the United States.

CAE in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO), sponsored by the National Security Agency. These are deeply technical interdisciplinary higher education programs grounded in computer science, computer engineering, and/or electrical engineering disciplines. The emphasis in these programs is on technologies and techniques related to specialized cybersecurity operations (e.g., collection, exploitation, and response), to enhance the national security posture of our Nation

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