JCC Cybersecurity Program Earns National Recognition

 Johnston Community College has been named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), receiving the prestigious designation at the 2026 National Centers of Academic Excellence Designation Ceremony. 

The ceremony was part of the CAE in Cybersecurity Community Symposium, where newly designated institutions from across the country were formally welcomed into the NCAE community. Johnston Community College was among 30 institutions nationwide to receive the CAE-CD designation this year.  

The National Centers of Academic Excellence (NCAE) program recognizes institutions that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing cybersecurity education, research, and workforce development. The designation is established by the National Security Agency (NSA) and its federal partners; It signifies that an institution has met rigorous academic and programmatic standards while contributing to the mission of building a skilled, diverse, and resilient cybersecurity workforce.  

This recognition places Johnston Community College among an elite group of institutions leading the way in cybersecurity education and helps signal to students, employers, and the broader community that JCC's cybersecurity programs meet the highest national standards.