University center recognized for continued excellence in computer security research
Monday, March 11, 2019
MANHATTAN — The Center for Information and Systems Assurance at Kansas State University has once again been redesignated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
"Kansas State University received its initial designation in 2010," said Eugene Vasserman, director of the center and associate professor in computer science and Michele Munson-Serban Simu Keystone research scholar. "It was redesignated in 2014 and now again in 2019 through 2024."
The mission of Center for Information and Systems Assurance is to conduct fundamental and applied research in information and computer security and high-assurance systems, as well as advance the knowledge of students in many disciplines within and beyond engineering.
"Systems and information assurance is a cross-cutting area of computer science as well as many other disciplines," Vasserman said. "It is the theory and practice behind the design and operation of safe, secure and reliable systems across a broad spectrum of applications including hardware, networking and information storage.
"The center also engages the professional community in collaborative efforts that support the understanding, operation and development of secure software systems that pervade our society."
Vasserman headed up the redesignation effort and emphasized the benefit it brings to the university.
"We are doing cutting-edge research that is important and valuable," he said. "This designation certifies that K-State continues to operate a highly regarded center for cybersecurity research — we are a place that knows security.
"Potential students pay attention to this designation — we often get questions asking us to confirm that, yes, you can come to K-State where you will be able to contribute to these research efforts."
