news

Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and representatives from Laredo College announced Laredo College was recently recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security. The goal of the National Centers of Excellence is to reduce the vulnerability of our nation’s information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense, and by prioritizing the development of professionals with this expertise. Laredo College was recently designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education institution by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA). The college has undergone an in-depth and rigorous academic program review making it one of only seven two-year schools in Texas, and one of only 78 two-year schools nation-wide to receive this prestigious designation.

The National Security Council has stated that cyber-attacks have become “one of the most serious economic and national security threats our nation faces.” However, industries in the 28^th District of Texas and across the nation are faced with shortages of cyber professionals. The U.S. currently has a shortage of roughly 300,000 Cyber Defense specialists. This makes it increasingly difficult for communities to keep up with the cyber security demand. With this in mind, Congressman Cuellar helped pass the 2018 Omnibus Appropriations bill which provided $1.9 billion for Cybersecurity and Protection of Communications to combat increasingly dangerous and numerous cyber-attacks. Congressman Cuellar has also called for additional Cybersecurity Strategic Research and Development plans to strengthen cybersecurity education and training programs to secure an adequate, well-trained workforce. 

“With new technological advances being made every day, so are attacks and repeated intrusions to America’s critical infrastructure,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This underscores the need for improved cybersecurity and the workforce to counter these dangers. That’s why programs such as the Network and Cyber Security Program here at Laredo College, and the faculty who devote their expertise to this field, are so critical.”

Congressman Cuellar continued, “I would like to congratulate Laredo College President Dr. Ricardo Solis, Vice President Dr. Vincent Solis, and the Board of Trustees for this incredible accomplishment and wish them continued success with all of their future academic endeavors.”

Department Chair of the Computer Technology Department of Laredo College Mr. Robert Moore said, “We are honored to have Laredo College and our Network & Cybersecurity program recognized for excellence in cyber defense. We now belong to an elite NSA/DHS consortium of over 265 collegiate programs that have received this designation. We will proudly and diligently contribute to the goals and mission of the organization in producing an effective national cybersecurity workforce.”

President of Laredo College Dr. Ricardo Solis added, “Not only do we provide high caliber academic cybersecurity programs through our Computer Technology Department, we also provide short-term industry recognized cybersecurity analyst certifications through our Laredo College Economic Development Center.”

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and the computer technology department team from Laredo College announced Laredo College was recently recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security. Pictured from left to right: Mr. Abdul Mohamed, Nestor Seratto, Ana Proa, Enrique Garcia, Raymundo Fuentes, Department Chair Robert Moore, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Laredo College President Dr. Ricardo Solis, Dr. Rodney Rodriguez, Tekuani Perez, and Hassan Escamilla.