Whatcom Community College
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Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a demonstrated leader and host institution for two National Centers, the Washington State Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, and maintains its own Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security Programs of Study. It provides support for a large number of cybersecurity initiatives which advance WCC. These include, but are not limited to:
- The the National Cybersecurity Training & Education Center (NCyTE) and CAE Candidates national Center (CCNC).
- NCyTE is funded by NSF as an Advanced Technical Education (ATE) National Center for Cybersecurity with four strategic goals, 15 objectives, and over 70 initiatives currently in progress to advance cybersecurity education resources and capacity in the U.S., and to meet the nation's cybersecurity workforce needs. The four strategic goals are:
- Expand cybersecurity education pathways and program diversity.
- Develop and deploy leading-edge cybersecurity curriculum.
- Cultivate industry engagement and career opportunities.
- Disseminate efforts to improve current and future directions of cybersecurity education in the U.S.
- CCNC helps colleges and universities prepare and apply for the designation of Centers of Academic Excellence (CAEs) in Cybersecurity. The CNC provides mentoring, resources, advice, and other support to institutions that want to earn the CAE designation, or to have their academic program validated as a first step in the process. Through Whatcom's leadership of the program the Cyber CAE designated institutions across the US have increased from 66 to 431.
- NCyTE is funded by NSF as an Advanced Technical Education (ATE) National Center for Cybersecurity with four strategic goals, 15 objectives, and over 70 initiatives currently in progress to advance cybersecurity education resources and capacity in the U.S., and to meet the nation's cybersecurity workforce needs. The four strategic goals are:
- The Washington State Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE). The Washington State CCoE serves as the Washington statewide information hub, collaborating with industry and educators to identify opportunities, create efficiencies, and support the future of cybersecurity in Washington state.
- The WCC CAE Cybersecurity Center is WCC's designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense for the NSA-validated program(s) of study through academic year 2028, providing its own students with technical and cybersecurity certificate and degree granting program opportunities.