Center for Secure Information Systems
Securing the World's Cyber Infrastructure
George Mason University
Welcome to CSIS!
Information systems security is of increasing importance in government, military and commercial arenas. The Center for Secure Information Systems (CSIS) provides a dedicated environment to encourage the development of expertise in both the theoretical and applied aspects of information systems security. CSIS emphasis on information security makes it unique among the institutions of higher learning in this country.
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Established in 1990, CSIS has the distinction of being the first academic center in security at a U.S. university. CSIS differentiates itself from other centers by working in a broad spectrum of security topics and issues. The Center resides within the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University.
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C)
George Mason University is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) and an active member of the CAE in Cybersecurity Community. It is one of the National Security Agency’s original Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE-IAE), later rebranded as CAE in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD). In 2008, NSA established a new designation, the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research (CAE-R), later rebranded as CAE in Cyber Research, a designation that Mason earned for the cutting-edge research being conducted at CSIS. Mason is designated for CAE-CD through 2027 and CAE-R through 2028.
The NACE-C validated cybersecurity Program of Study (PoS) offered by Mason is the BS in Information Technology (BS IT) with a concentration in Cyber Security. The program is offered by the Department of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) and is regularly updated based on recommendations from the IST Industry Advisory Board.
Security Resources at Mason
The IT Security Office provides computer users and system administrators with the tools and information they need to secure their systems.
- IT Security Standards
- Security Best Practices
- Phishing
- Security Liaisons
- System Admin Resources
- Highly Sensitive Data
- Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT)
- System Administrator Leadership Team (SALT)
- Computers & Software
Student Competitions
Mason holds multiple competitions that provide opportunities for students and alumni in various disciplines, including cyber security, to gain firsthand experience in the world of entrepreneurship. A list of current competitions managed by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation can be found at https://startup.gmu.edu/competitions. Mason also runs a Three-Minute Thesis competition to help students distill research into short, accessible pitches and various hackathons.