UNM re-designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Research

The University of New Mexico has been redesignated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R) through the 2030 academic year.

This prestigious recognition reflects a strong, interdisciplinary collaboration among the Anderson School of Management, the Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) within the School of Engineering, reinforcing UNM's position as a leading research institution.

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by the National Security Agency's National Cryptologic University in partnership with federal agencies including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the FBI, the National Science Foundation, and others. The program's mission is to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity workforce by recognizing institutions that demonstrate excellence in high-quality, innovative education and research through designations such as CAE-R.

The redesignation effort was led by Anderson faculty members Sandra Moore, Sc.D., clinical business faculty member, and Robert Luo, Ph.D., distinguished professor in the Department of Marketing, Information, and Decision Sciences (MIDS), alongside School of Engineering faculty Christos Christodoulou, Ph.D., professor in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Afsah Anwar, Ph.D., assistant professor in Computer Science.

"The process involves an intensive audit of faculty research productivity, program sustainability, and strategic vision," said Luo. "It culminates in a rigorous peer review by federal partners to ensure the institution meets the highest national standards for research excellence." The year-long evaluation examines the previous five years of faculty and student research, publications, and outreach activities.

"This achievement is truly interdisciplinary," Luo added. "While faculty in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science focus on the technical and foundational aspects of cybersecurity, MIS faculty in the MIDS department at Anderson examine information assurance, privacy, and security from managerial and social perspectives. Our research explores the dynamic interactions among people, organizations, and technology. This partnership extended seamlessly into the CAE-R application process, with all three departments working closely to develop the comprehensive documentation required for review."

Moore added that Ph.D. students from the School of Engineering play a critical role in the redesignation process through their dissertations, publications, and graduation outcomes. Additionally, students in the Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Business Analytics (MSCBA) and Computer Science programs actively participate in research initiatives. "We collaborate on projects and ensure our students have access to ongoing activities from the departments to enhance the student experience," said Moore. "We want to ensure multiple opportunities exist for all students."

The MSCBA program emphasizes information security and the cyber risks facing businesses and government organizations. "Each semester, MSCBA students work in teams to research current cyber threats within specific industries," Moore said. "This provides students with the opportunity to conduct research, analyze data, and provide mitigation strategies to businesses."

The CAE-R designation further distinguishes Anderson's fully online MSCBA program by ensuring its curriculum remains rigorous, relevant, and aligned with national security priorities. As a result, graduates are well prepared for high-demand cybersecurity careers and are highly sought after by employers across government and industry.

As a CAE-R designated institution, UNM students gain access to exclusive federal opportunities such as CAE-exclusive career fairs and national competitions including cybersecurity challenges and hackathons.

"The CAE-R designation is both difficult to achieve and difficult to sustain," said Moore. "It underscores the competitive strength of our programs and the high-quality research conducted by our faculty and students."

Learn more information about the MSCBA degree, ECE Degree, and Computer Science Degree at UNM.