Northern Virginia Community College’s cyber security certificate program has again received formal accreditation from the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). The certification recognizes that NOVA’s cyber security program meets both 4011 and 4013 training standards for information assurance professionals in federal agencies.

In 2007, NOVA was the first Virginia community college to receive the 4011 certification and is currently the only Virginia community college certified on both standards.

“To receive the certifications we had to demonstrate that our program content meets hundreds of elements contained in the standards,” said Information Technology Professor Margaret Leary. “This recognition assures our students that the Committee on National Security Systems and the National Security Agency have certified that our courses meet the National Training Standard for Information Systems Security Professionals and the National Information Assurance Training Standard for System Administrators.”

The latest certification provides NOVA the opportunity to be designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance 2­Year Education sponsored jointly by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to reduce vulnerability in U.S. national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research.

Since 2001, NOVA has offered a cyber security career studies certificate that prepares students for employment as network security specialists. In addition, students in the program are eligible to compete for a prestigious scholarship that includes working for a federal agency after graduation.

By: Contributing Author

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