Experience Learned in Obtaining the CNSS IA Course Certification and the CAE/IAE designation at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR)

The authors from PUPR share their experience in obtaining the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) course certification and the Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Eduaction (CAE/IAE) designation. IA is a field that is rapidly evolving in the IT scenario. The urgent need for information security professionals has brought together industry, government, and academic sectors, to define the requirements for IA education. Developing core courses for graduate and undergraduate IA programs with a Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) in IA is critical for new and practicing IT security professionals, including technical and managerial personnel. The CBK maps courses to information security elements required in industry, government, and academia. Standards are currently regulated by the Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) domains, National Security Telecommunications Information Systems Security Institution (NSTISSI) standards, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). By obtaiing the CNSS certification and the CAE/IAE designation, an institution can compete for infrastructure, capacity building, and scholarship grants to provide exceptional educational experiences and collaboration opportunities between designated and aspiring institutions at local and national levels. This includes internships, faculty and student exchange, research and publications, funds for faculty and student research, scholarships, workshops, among other activities.