May 10, 2004

Contact:
Barbra Gonzalez, Associate Director
(954) 262-5354
Mara Kiffin, Assistant Director
(954) 262-5350

NSA Certifies Nova Southeastern University’s Information Security Curriculum
INFOSEC Graduate Degree To Take Center Stage This Summer

Ft. Lauderdale , Fla. -- The Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) announced today that it has received notification that the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has certified its curriculum in information systems security. The university’s masters-level specialization and its Ph.D. courses in information security are in compliance with standards set forth by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS.)

As a result of this certification, NSU will be added to the NSA’s list of resources for students who seek training in the Information Security (INFOSEC) field. Additionally, federal civilian and military personnel will be permitted to take the certified NSU courses under government sponsorship.

NSU will offer a new degree, a Master of Science in Information Security, which will be launched this summer. Important areas addressed by the program include: threats and vulnerabilities, cryptography, authentication and access control, security models, network security, trusted computer systems, distributed systems security, Internet security, applications security, and security management and policies. The university will also offer a five-course graduate certificate program in Information Security, whereby students completing the certified courses will be issued federally-approved certificates. Only two other Florida institutions have received NSA certification: Florida State University and St. Petersburg College, both offer only undergraduate certificate programs in INFOSEC.

“We are extremely proud that our information systems security program has obtained this certification from the NSA and the CNSS, because it recognizes the strength, scope and content of our curriculum,” said Edward Lieblein, Ph.D., dean of NSU’s Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences. “Information security students – whether they are civilians or military personnel – can now take certified graduate-level classes through NSU to obtain their degree on-campus or online.”

CNSS is composed of members from 21 U.S. government executive branch departments and agencies, as well as observers representing 11 additional organizations. It provides a forum for discussion of policy issues, sets national policy and promulgates direction, operational proc edures and guidance for the security of national security systems.

Nova Southeastern University, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2004, is the tenth largest independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education in the United States. It awards associate's, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees in a variety of fields, including: business and entrepreneurship, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, nursing, computer and information sciences, law, humanities, education, conflict resolution, psychology, counseling, and family programs. The university also offers 16 undergraduate majors through the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. The 300-acre main campus is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is home to the state’s largest library facility. Additional NSU student educational centers exist in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, please visit www.nova.edu.