Looking for Cyber Ops Academic and IA Opportunities

NSA (National Security Agency) provides a list of four new National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Operations for academic years 2012 - 2017:

Dakota State University, South Dakota
Naval Postgraduate School, California
     Military and DoD Civilians Graduate Certificate Program
     U.S. Civilians Scholarship for Service Program
Northeastern University, Massachusetts MA and PhD in IA
University of Tulsa, Oklahoma Cyber Corps

The CAE-Cyber Operations Program is intended to identify institutions offering a curriculum that is deeply technical, interdisciplinary, and firmly grounded in computer science, computer engineering and/or electrical engineering, with extensive opportunities for hands-on applications via labs/exercises. The CAE-Cyber Operations Program complements NSA's existing CAEs in Information Assurance Education and Research Programs, and provides a particular emphasis on technologies and techniques related to specialized cyber operations (e.g., collection, exploitation, and response) to enhance the security posture of our nation. 

National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Operations Program. Applications accepted from 4-year colleges and graduate-level universities annually by 15 January each year. Application timeline for CAE applications in Cyber Operations.

CAE-Cyber Ops Timeline
Application Submission: NLT 11:59pm 15 January
Review of Applications: 15 January - 29 February
Notification to Applicants: 1 March
Curriculum Review Visits: March - April
Final Determinations: 15 May
CISSE/Certificate Presentation: mid-June

National Centers of Excellence in Information Assurance (IA) programs by state
High School Work Study Programs

Comments, recommendations, +1s, and reaction box checks are appreciated.

How do you keep your stuff up to date?

In a recent post by Mr. Byrne, author of Free Technology for Teachers, he asks, "Have you updated your browser lately?" On the homefront, I keep everything up to date, tinker with the new, the old, and the outdated...but at work my network is controlled. I understand why but we do not have the option of the tools used, including the selected browser.  This image displays if I check my Gmail:

This image displays if I try to access Google+ in the workplace:

But thanks to personally owned gadgets and apps, I can still access my Google products and projects when needed, while keeping OPSEC, COMPUSEC, INFOSEC, IA (and all other securities) in place.


So how do you keep "your stuff" up to date? What options do you have to make suggestions when you do not control your network management tools? Have you become technologically apathetic due to automated controls and functions? Do you have a data recovery plan in place that works? Have you tested the implementation plan that you developed or adopted?


Thanks to Mr. Richard Byrne and his awesome blog, Free Technology For Teachers for sharing his knowledge, skills, and abilities with the world, regardless of a reader's profession.


Comments, recommendations, +1s, and reaction box checks are welcome.