Fairfield University’s School of Engineering and Computing Earns NSA Cyber Defense
Designation
This spring, the School of Engineering and Computing was designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD) by the National Security Agency, effective through 2030. The result of a three- year application process, this prestigious designation recognizes the University’s commitment to cybersecurity education and its role in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure.
The University’s Cybersecurity program and Cybersecurity Center, featuring a
Cybersecurity Lab and Security Operations Center, have met NCAE-CD standards. “This
designation is a testament to the quality of our graduate cybersecurity programs and the
outstanding faculty conducting research and delivering industry-relevant content,” said
Dean Andres Leonardo Carrano, PhD.
In alignment with the U.S. government’s National Cybersecurity Strategy released in March
2023, meeting NCAE-CD standards positions Fairfield to play a key role in securing the
nation’s digital future. Programs that strengthen the domestic talent pipeline reinforce the
essential role of higher education in defending America’s cyberspace and are critical to the
development of a highly skilled national cybersecurity workforce.
“There are two important milestones in this recognition,” said Associate Dean Mirco
Speretta, PhD, director of the Cybersecurity program. “First, the formal validation of our
Master in Cybersecurity program. Second, the acknowledgment of Fairfield’s robust
cybersecurity infrastructure. I’d like to recognize Dr. Akshay Mathur, PhD, and the ITS
Department for their contributions to this achievement.”
Cybersecurity has become an important issue both nationally and locally. At a recent
Campus Connect event at the downtown Fairfield University Store, three experts — Dr.
Speretta, Fairfield Police Detective Brian Griffin, and Sergeant Jenna Wellington — shared
insights with the local community on cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Dr. Speretta highlighted the sheer volume of cyber threats, noting that more than 3.4 billion
spam emails are sent daily, accounting for nearly 48 percent of all emails in 2022. While
phishing scams make up only one percent, they remain a major issue across all
demographics. “Every minute, $17,700 is lost due to phishing attacks,” he warned.
Detective Griffin, who frequently handles cybercrime cases, emphasized that most originate
from fraudulent emails and misleading pop-ups. “It happens all the time,” he said, adding
that many local departments lack the resources to investigate these crimes.
The discussion also covered social media and romance scams, with Detective Griffin
recounting cases in which victims lost anywhere from thousands to millions of dollars.
Sergeant Wellington urged online daters to use Google reverse image searches, verify
names, and be wary of individuals who avoid meeting in person. “Victims are often highly
intelligent people — it can happen to anyone,” she said, encouraging those affected to seek
help without embarrassment.
The speakers also warned about digital privacy risks, urging attendees to reconsider actions
like:
Linking phones to cars
Charging devices at public stations
Logging into streaming accounts at hotels
Using public Wi-Fi
Dr. Speretta advised minimizing the number of online accounts requiring personal
information and reducing one’s digital footprint. “Almost every company will be hacked at
some point,” Detective Griffin said, “so it’s crucial to stay vigilant.”
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