The 91视频 was redesignated as a cyber research institution. (Credit Getty Images)
The 91视频 has been redesignated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R) through 2029, reaffirming UH鈥檚 national leadership in advancing cybersecurity innovation, education and workforce development to help protect America鈥檚 critical infrastructure.
The federal redesignation 鈥� part of the NSA鈥檚 National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program 鈥� recognizes institutions that demonstrate excellence in cyber defense education, research or operations.
With Houston serving as an epicenter of the nation鈥檚 energy, health care and transportation networks 鈥� all frequent targets of cyberattacks 鈥� this redesignation underscores UH鈥檚 growing role as a national partner in advancing research and workforce training that strengthen U.S. resilience against evolving threats.
鈥淐ybersecurity is essential to protecting our nation鈥檚 economy and infrastructure, and universities like ours play a vital role in advancing both the science and the workforce needed to meet these challenges,鈥� said Claudia Neuhauser, vice president of research at UH. 鈥淭his recognition reflects the collaborative excellence of our faculty across colleges and their commitment to innovation in this critical field.鈥�
The University has held this national CAE-R distinction since 2014, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to advancing cybersecurity innovation and national defense. UH currently holds two NCAE-C designations:
- Cyber Research (CAE-R): In effect through the 2028-29 academic year, recognizing excellence in advancing cybersecurity research and innovation.
- Cyber Defense (CAE-CD): Valid through the 2027-28 academic year, highlighting UH鈥檚 role in preparing the cybersecurity workforce through education and training. Professor Emeritus Arthur Conklin serves as the point of contact for the CAE-CD designation in the College of Technology at UH鈥檚 Sugar Land campus.
鈥淐ybersecurity is essential to protecting our nation鈥檚 economy and infrastructure, and universities like ours play a vital role in advancing both the science and the workforce needed to meet these challenges.鈥�
鈥擟laudia Neuhauser, vice president of research at UH
UH鈥檚 cybersecurity programs combine advanced research with hands-on education to prepare students for the nation鈥檚 most in-demand cyber careers. On average, more than 90% of UH cybersecurity graduates are working in the field after graduation, supporting industries and agencies facing rapidly evolving digital threats.
The CAE-R redesignation reflects the collaborative efforts of cybersecurity faculty in the Department of Computer Science within UH鈥檚 College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. It provides networking and training opportunities for faculty and students through workshops, conferences and agency briefings.
The designation also preserves UH鈥檚 eligibility for competitive federal grants and scholarships that support the research of faculty and students, said Stephen Huang, professor of computer science and UH鈥檚 point of contact for the CAE-R program.
Huang recently completed an NSA-funded project on automated intrusion detection. His research focuses on real-time identification of cyber attackers using anonymity networks such as VPNs. The techniques can be used to detect geolocation spoofing 鈥� when users falsify their location for deceptive or illegal purposes.
The University鈥檚 two NCAE-C designations add to UH鈥檚 expanding footprint in cybersecurity. In a separate effort, UH launched the Transportation Cybersecurity Center for Advanced Research and Education (CYBER-CARE) in 2023, dedicated to strengthening the resilience of transportation systems against cyber threats.
Huang said cybersecurity is a constant, evolving challenge that requires continuous vigilance.
鈥淲e never know how we are going to be attacked next, and attackers can always come up with new methods of doing it,鈥� Huang said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we must be very vigilant in predicting how they may be able to do that and analyzing their attacks to prevent them. It鈥檚 a never-ending battle.鈥�
Contributing authors are Stephen Huang, Matthew Pariyothorn and Kristoffer Smith.