Pace U Signs Education Partnership with National Security Agency (NSA)

Pace University recently signed an Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the National Security Agency in an effort to develop a pipeline of science and technology talent for possible national security challenges.

In continuing its partnership with the NSA, Pace University is boosting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for students by leveraging expertise and resources offered by the federal agency in supporting Pace’s educational programs and research projects. The partnership includes Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and will provide educational opportunities for students to meet the growing demand for skills in STEM fields.

“This next chapter in our long-standing partnership with the NSA is testament to the broad, innovative, and enriching cybersecurity program here at Pace,” Jonathan Hill, Dean of Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems said. “The Seidenberg School has an impressive roster of cybersecurity faculty, research labs, and a growing number of alumni working at three-letter agencies, national and local businesses, and tech firms.”

Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems is one of the country’s few Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) with a re-designation from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA).

Pace University is committed to excellence in cyber defense education and research. Undergraduate programs include the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a focus in security, and the Bachelor of Science in Professional Technology Studies with a Computer Forensics concentration. Graduate programs include the Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Master of Science in Information Technology with a Cybersecurity concentration, the Master of Science in Computer Science with a Web Security concentration, and the Master of Science in Information Systems with an Information Assurance career path.

“There is so much more to do,” said Dean Hill. “Cybersecurity and all it involves is critical to the digital wellbeing of people, companies, and government. The need to address security at the global level is ever-increasing. In order to address this need for talented cybersecurity workers, we will be launching a new BS in Cybersecurity in Fall ’25.”

Pace maintains three labs focusing on cybersecurity research and education. The Cybersecurity Education and Research Lab (CERL) brings together faculty research and cyber defense education. From students to experts, those learning, working, and teaching in cybersecurity must constantly update their skills and expertise to stay current with fresh developments and ever-changing threats. CERL also maintains a brand new, state-of-the-art cyber range to develop the cybersecurity workforce in a way that simulates the real-world environment. Research streams include biometrics, information security management, web security, computer forensics, information technology auditing, intrusion detection and privacy. The Computer Forensics Lab focuses on research and practical experience in digital and mobile forensics and open-source intelligence analysis. The Computational Intelligence Lab offers students opportunities to develop skills in data science and machine learning and to focus on topics from Artificial Intelligence to pattern recognition.

“This new agreement will further strengthen Pace’s current collaboration with the agency and support research initiatives and workforce development for our programs,” Dr. Li-Chiou Chen, Executive Director of CERL and Professor of Information Technology at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems said.