UNM Earns Elite Cybersecurity Research Status Through 2030

The University of New Mexico has earned a major win in the fight against cybercrime, receiving redesignation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research through 2030.

The prestigious recognition comes from the National Security Agency and represents a year-long intensive review of five years of research, publications, and student outcomes. Only institutions meeting the highest national standards for cybersecurity research excellence receive this designation.

What makes UNM's achievement special is how three departments joined forces to make it happen. The Anderson School of Management teamed up with Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering to create a powerhouse collaboration that examines cybersecurity from every angle.

"While faculty in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science focus on the technical and foundational aspects of cybersecurity, MIS faculty examine information assurance, privacy, and security from managerial and social perspectives," said Robert Luo, distinguished professor who helped lead the redesignation effort alongside Sandra Moore, Christos Christodoulou, and Afsah Anwar.

The real winners here are students, who now gain access to exclusive federal opportunities including CAE-only career fairs and national cybersecurity competitions. PhD students contribute cutting-edge dissertation research while master's students in the Cybersecurity and Business Analytics program tackle real-world threats facing businesses and government.

The Ripple Effect

This designation creates waves far beyond campus borders. Every semester, student teams research current cyber threats within specific industries and develop mitigation strategies for actual businesses, creating a direct pipeline between classroom learning and real-world protection.

Graduates from these programs are becoming the frontline defenders against hackers, ransomware attacks, and data breaches threatening everything from hospitals to power grids. Companies and government agencies actively seek out UNM graduates because the CAE-R designation signals their training meets national security standards.

The designation also ensures curriculum stays ahead of emerging threats. As cybercriminals develop new tactics, UNM faculty and students are already researching solutions, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation and protection.

Moore emphasized the achievement's significance: "The CAE-R designation is both difficult to achieve and difficult to sustain. It underscores the competitive strength of our programs and the high-quality research conducted by our faculty and students."

With cyber attacks costing businesses billions annually and threatening critical infrastructure, having more institutions training elite cybersecurity professionals means safer systems for everyone.