Stony Brook University has been officially designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Research (CAE-R) by the National Security Agency (NSA), recognizing its leadership in advancing cybersecurity research and education.

The CAE-R designation is awarded to institutions that demonstrate a strong commitment to cybersecurity research, particularly those classified as doctoral universities with high research activity. This recognition underscores Stony Brook's significant contributions to the field and its role in developing solutions to complex cybersecurity challenges. Assistant Professor Amir Rahmati, a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and director of the Ethos Security & Privacy Lab, serves as Stony Brook's point of contact for the CAE-R program. He attended the official designation event to accept the honor on behalf of the university.

"This designation reflects our ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of cybersecurity research," said Rahmati. "It also opens up new opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in impactful work that addresses real-world security issues."

The CAE-R recognition enhances Stony Brook's eligibility for federal cybersecurity initiatives,  including the Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy scholarship program. This program offers full tuition scholarships to students in exchange for public service in the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community.

Stony Brook's designation as a CAE-R institution highlights its commitment to fostering a robust cybersecurity workforce and contributing to national security through cutting-edge research and education. For more information about Stony Brook University's cybersecurity programs and research initiatives, visit the Department of Computer Science website.