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The top-ranked MIS program at Eller College of Management has earned the designation through the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

By Anji Siegel and Liz Warren-Pederson, Eller College of Management
May 5, 2009

The National Information Assurance Education and Training Program under the authority of the U.S. National Security Agency, has designated The University of Arizona a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.

The UA's top-ranked Department of Management Information Systems, or MIS, at the Eller College of Management applied for the designation in 2008.

The designation will be in effect for the academic years 2009-2014 and will be held at the University level.

The rigorous approval process is governed by a set of nine criteria, including outreach, university-level support, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

The application was submitted by associate directors Lance Hoopes and Roberto Mejias through the Information Assurance and Security Education Center, which is directed by Jay F. Nunamaker, UA Regents Professor and Soldwedel Professor of Management Information Systems.

"This designation is an enormous accomplishment," says Paulo Goes, MIS department head and Salter Distinguished Professor of Management and Technology.

"It is particularly important for UA because of our location and strong partnerships with the defense industry, border security, and homeland security," Goes added.

The National Security Agency and the U.S. Dearptment of Homeland Security jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in IA Education, or CAEIAE, and CAE-Research, or CAE-R, programs.

The goal of these programs is to reduce vulnerability in the national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in IA. Designation as a CAEIAE or CAE-R is valid for five academic years, after which the school must reapply in order to retain its CAE designation.

Students attending these designated CAEIAE schools become eligible to apply for related scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program and the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program.

A ceremony recognizing the UA's designation is scheduled for June 3 durin gthe 13th Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education in Seattle.