About UMBC CISA

The UMBC Center for Information Security and Assurance (CISA) promotes research, education, and sound internal practices in information security and assurance. It is administratively housed within the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CoEIT) and closely linked with the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (CSEE). This center facilitates interactions with other UMBC departments and entities, including:

• Information Systems (IS)
• Mathematics
• Physics
• The Institute for Global Electronic Commerce (IGEC)
• Division of Professional Education and Training (DPET)
• The Security Technology Research Group (STRG)
• Maryland Center for Telecommunications Research (MCTR)
• The Policy Sciences Graduate Program

The Center has also facilitated interactions with local area businesses, laboratories, and government agencies. CISA was formally established in Fall 2001 within the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

Students whose degree programs include four approved core CISA courses can receive a letter of recognition from the Dean of Engineering certifying that they have completed the requirements of a track of study in information assurance at UMBC. To join, prospective students must apply for admission to any of the regular degree programs in Computer Science (CMSC), Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Engineering (CE), or Information Systems (IS) at the BS, MS, or PhD level.

CISA hosts a free distinguished lecture series on information security and assurance open to the public. It also coordinates the Captial Area Seminar on Information Assurance. CISA's Cyber Defense Lab provides an isolated network of workstations available to UMBC students and faculty for research projects and classroom exercises.

CISA is recognized by the National Security Agency as one of the nation's Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.