EC-Council's 2024 Academic Awards

EC-Council’s 2024 Academic Awards Highlight Cutting Edge Cybersecurity Education Programs and Critical Skill Development through CTF Challenges

Cybersecurity programs within the University of Phoenix, Purdue University NorthWest, the ECPI University are among this year’s award recipients exemplifying innovation and real-world impact in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals

Tampa, Fla., Dec 16, 2024:  EC-Council, a global leader in cybersecurity education and training, and the creator of the world famous Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential, announced the recipients of its prestigious 2024 Academia Awards. EC-Council annual awards recognize institutions and educators who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, impact, and dedication to shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. 

Academic Institutions Empowering Students for the Digital Age 

This year’s winners, selected from a pool of over 2,000 academic institutions across more than 130 countries, include a prestigious lineup of Cybersecurity programs: the University of Phoenix, Purdue University Northwest, ECPI University, Miami Dade College, the University of West Florida, University of North Texas, and others. These award recipients have excelled in advancing a diverse cybersecurity skillset for their students as they prepare them for an increasingly complex and digital-first world.

Jay Bavisi, Group President, EC-Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the recipients and the future of cybersecurity education, stating, “We are honored to collaborate with these academic leaders who are driving the future of cybersecurity education. With their commitment to innovation and career-based education, they are not only shaping the future of our industry but also producing the highly skilled talent needed to secure tomorrow’s digital world. 2024 Academia Awards serve as an expression to their transformative work, highlighting the invaluable role they play in preparing students for the evolving challenges of a digital-first world.” 

EC-Council’s Academia division is at the forefront of setting the gold standard in cybersecurity education. Offering turnkey certification programs, cyber range services and Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competitions, EC-Council empowers educational institutions to equip students with modern skills and stackable credentials, highly regarded by employers, to thrive in today’s everchanging cybersecurity industry. With a vast network of partnerships, including over 250 of the leading National Centers of Academic Excellence (NCAEs) in the U.S., EC-Council collaborates with partners to deploy certification courses and skills development technologies to ensure students have a deep knowledge of cybersecurity with a competitive edge that will help them succeed in the job market. 

Bavisi further added, “Through its Academia division, EC-Council reaffirms its commitment to empowering educators and institutions around the world, developing a global community of cybersecurity professionals who will rise to meet the challenges of the future. As cybersecurity threats grow increasingly sophisticated, the role of educators and institutions in preparing the next generation of professionals becomes ever more critical. EC-Council is dedicated to supporting academic communities that design programs that are ready to tackle the evolving challenges of the digital age.” 

Democratizing Cybersecurity Education through Academic Scholarships 

This year, the launch of a transformative $15 million academic scholarship initiative in partnership with the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) further emphasizes EC-Council’s dedication to democratizing cybersecurity education. The initiative focuses on empowering U.S. citizens with critical entry-level cybersecurity skills to address the global skills gap, opening doors to new career opportunities and empowering the workforce of tomorrow. 

The winners of the 2024 Academia Awards exemplifying success in cybersecurity education include the following: 

University of Phoenix – Academic Partner of the Year (USA) 

Kathryn Uhles, Dean of the College of Business and Information Technology, expressed the university’s gratitude for the recognition, stating, “It is an immense honor to be recognized as EC-Council’s Academic Partner of the Year. Our association with EC-Council has been nothing short of transformative. Their industry-leading tools, resources, and global reputation have enabled us to deliver world-class cybersecurity education that prepares our students for real-world challenges. This award affirms our shared vision for empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.” 

Dr. Ervin Frenzel, University of North Texas – Academic Instructor of the Year (USA) 

Reflecting on the award, Dr. Frenzel remarked, “I am incredibly proud to be recognized as the Academic Instructor of the Year by EC-Council. Collaborating with EC-Council has been a privilege, as their commitment to real-world, hands-on learning aligns perfectly with our teaching philosophy. Their resources empower our students to achieve technical mastery before entering the workforce, ensuring they are ready to make an immediate impact in their careers.” 

Dr. Nelly Delessy-Gassant of Miami Dade College and Dr. Elizabeth Rasnick of the University of West Florida also received recognition for their exceptional contributions to advancing teaching methodologies and enhancing student skills across critical cybersecurity domains.  

Dr. Delessy-Gassant expressed her gratitude, stating, “Partnering with EC-Council, a globally recognized leader in cybersecurity education, has been transformative for our students and our institution. Their industry-aligned training tools have elevated our curriculum and empowered our students with the practical skills needed to excel in a fast-evolving digital world.” 

Dr. Elizabeth Rasnick echoed this sentiment, adding, “EC-Council’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity education is unparalleled, and it is a privilege to be recognized by such a pioneering organization. Their forward-thinking resources and hands-on training methodologies have played a pivotal role in our students’ success, preparing them to face the dynamic challenges of the cybersecurity landscape.” 

Together with these award-winning institutions and educators, EC-Council is building a more secure future, one where highly trained, world-class professionals are ready to protect and defend the digital landscape 

For more information on the full list of award recipients, please click here. 

About EC-Council Academia:

EC-Council, the inventor of Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification course and exam, has a mission to provide Cybersecurity education and certifications to students across the world to prepare them for their future careers. Founded in 2001, EC-Council offers over 200 different training programs and certifications – ranging from End-User Security to highly technical Penetration Testing to Information Security Management, and many other tactical courses. Recognized under the U.S. Department of Defense 8140 and an ISO/IEC 17024 Accredited Organization, EC-Council holds these and many other distinctions and accreditations by prestigious agencies worldwide – making EC-Council’s certification programs highly desirable and valued within the cybersecurity global communities.  

The EC-Council Academia partner program offers a free partnership opportunities to academic institutions globally. These partnerships establish cybersecurity ecosystems through education that support students, alumni, faculty, employees, and the local communities at large. Through established partnerships, academic institutions can access extensive discounts on learning resources, technologies, and certifications, offering students opportunities to obtain stackable credentials to become more competitive as they enter the workforce. The program also focuses on initiating faculty development, scholarships, and cyber competitions. To date, EC-Council supports over of 2,000 education networks and institutions globally. EC-Council Academia works with academic institutions at all levels, including over 250 National Centers of Academic Excellences (N-CAEs) as designated by the National Security Agency, contributing to certify tens of thousands of students annually with industry-leading credentials. For more information on EC-Council Academia, please visit www.eccouncil.org/academia.  

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