Tucson Standard

The University of Arizona's College of Applied Science and Technology has renewed its designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO), awarded by the National Security Agency (NSA). This recognition is part of a program managed by the NSA's National Cryptologic School, in collaboration with several federal agencies, aimed at maintaining cybersecurity programs across educational institutions.

The college's cyber operations program first received this prestigious designation in 2018 and must reapply every five years. The University of Arizona is one of only 20 schools to hold this designation, placing it alongside institutions like the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy.

"This designation shows that the university has the most technical, the most advanced, cybersecurity curriculum in the country," said Jason Denno, founder and director of the cyber operations program. He emphasized his goal to create a leading national program upon joining the university in 2016.

The college offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations with three study tracks: engineering with a security focus, defense and forensics, and cyber law and policy. These programs are available online or in-person and aim to equip students with skills for challenges posed by technological advancements.

A distinctive feature of the college is its CyberApolis platform, which provides students hands-on experience within a virtual city inhabited by AI-operated personas. "We built a synthetic world that looks and feels exactly like the internet," Denno explained.

In addition to cyber operations, other academic offerings include degrees in applied computing, administration of justice, government and public service, human services, organizational leadership and regional commerce, intelligence and information operations—all incorporating cyber components.

"Our catchphrase...is 'future-focused, career-ready,'" stated Nicol Rae, acting dean. She highlighted how this aligns with their mission to expand research work for federal contracts.

The college opened as UA South in 2019 under Linda Denno's guidance as interim dean. It has grown significantly since offering its first Bachelor of Applied Science degrees at Sierra Vista in 2002.

"We focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution," Linda Denno noted about their curriculum strategy. The college now also accepts applications for a new Master’s program in Cyber and Information Operations starting next fall at UArizona's main campus.