The Computer Information Systems and Security department is celebrating a major academic milestone as 13 students successfully passed the EC-Council Network Defense (NDE) certification exam, achieving an impressive 86.7% pass rate. This industry-recognized credential—valid for three years—demonstrates each student’s mastery of essential defensive cybersecurity skills.
The EC-Council NDE focuses on practical, real-world abilities in areas such as network hardening, secure infrastructure design, incident response, vulnerability mitigation, and foundational threat analysis. Earning this certification signals that students are well-prepared to work in security operations environments, support enterprise defense strategies, and contribute to organizational cyber resilience from day one.
“This accomplishment reflects the hard work, discipline, and growing talent of our students,” said Assistant Professor Kelly “RC” Roberts-Cooper. “Certifications like the EC-Council Network Defense credential give our graduates a competitive edge in the cybersecurity workforce.”
With cybersecurity professionals in high demand nationwide, certifications such as this play a vital role in helping students transition into meaningful careers. The newly certified student now carry valuable proof of their abilities—an asset they will take with them into internships, job interviews, and future advanced studies.
The CISS and Security department congratulates all 13 students on their outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing their continued success in the cybersecurity field.