Cyber Defense Research Excellence

Congratulations to faculty in the department of computer science, who have spearheaded efforts that led to UGA being named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research, a designation that underscores the role the university plays in advancing technology, policy and practices that strengthen America's cyber defense capabilities.

UGA is one of just 71 institutions nationwide to hold this joint National Security Agency/Department of Homeland Security designation and, along with Georgia Tech, one of two CAE-R institutions in Georgia.

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To receive designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research, an institution must have a high level of research activity and meet several criteria for cyber defense research, student training and overall impact.

Faculty members in the university's Institute for Cybersecurity and Privacy, one of the institutes affiliated with the Georgia Informatics Institutes for Research and Education at UGA, conduct research in network and system security, web security, security for mobile devices and the Internet of Things, and cybercrime attribution, among several other areas. Their work has been funded by agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency and National Science Foundation, as well as through industry partners such as Intel and Cisco Systems. A DHS grant to associate professor Roberto Perdisci, for example, is supporting the transition to market of a system known as AMICO that he and his colleagues created to defend computer networks from malicious software. An NSF grant to professor Kang Li, who directs the ICSP, is enabling the creation of open-source software to enhance the security of cloud computing.

"The goal of the Institute for Cybersecurity and Privacy is to become a state hub for cybersecurity research and education, including multidisciplinary programs and research, outreach activities and industry partnership," Li said. "By working together, we can help meet our nation's cybersecurity needs."

This is a major achievement for the university, thanks to our outstanding computer science faculty. A critical research role in the defense of the country, the institute also touches UGA's service and instruction missions, and attracts more dedicated faculty and students who want to take part in such important work. Very well done.