--- title: "The UTSA CIAS • Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security" description: "We deliver quality research, training, cyber competitions, exercises and K-12 cybersecurity programs to advance community cyber capabilities and collaboration." language: "en-US" canonical_url: "https://cias.utsa.edu/" source_url: "https://cias.utsa.edu/" content_type: "text/markdown" --- ### The University of Texas at San Antonio's **C**ENTER for **I**NFRASTRUCTURE **A**SSURANCE & **S**ECURITY UT San Antonio has been designated by the National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. [ Join Newsletter ](https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/hVMuEyw/enewsletter) # The Leader in Advancement of State and Community Cybersecurity Since its establishment in 2001, the CIAS has been on the leading edge of designing, developing, and delivering high-quality, high-impact cybersecurity programs. The CIAS currently provides cybersecurity programs focused on training, workforce development, K-12 education, information sharing, competitions and simulations, exercises, and research. [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/) ### [ Cyber Threat Defender ](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctd/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctp/) ### [ Cyber Threat Protector ](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctp/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctg/) ### [ Cyber Threat Guardian ](https://cias.utsa.edu/ctg/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/professional/) ### [ Certification Courses ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/professional/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/customized/) ### [ Customized Training ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/customized/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/microtrainings/) ### [ Microtrainings ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/microtrainings/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/c4/) ### [ Cybersecurity Clinic ](https://cias.utsa.edu/c4/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/research/maturity-model/) ### [ Maturity Model (CCSMM) ](https://cias.utsa.edu/research/maturity-model/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/ncpc/) ### [ No-Cost Training (NCPC) ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/ncpc/) [ ](https://cias.utsa.edu/competitions/hivestorm/) ### [ Hivestorm Competition ](https://cias.utsa.edu/competitions/hivestorm/) ### 25+ Years at UT San Antonio The CIAS has been working to create a culture of cybersecurity and improving the nation’s cybersecurity posture since 2001! Take a look back at our history and activities in the [CIAS’ 20th Anniversary ](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CIAS_20Yr_AR.pdf)[Report here](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CIAS_20Yr_AR.pdf). Ponemon Institute study 2014 In the nation for undergraduate cybersecurity # 10 Universities.com ranking 2016 In the nation for graduate cybersecurity # 10 National Security Agency NSA Designations 1 ### Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research Cyber Operations K-12 Education ### Gaming Committed to creating a culture of cybersecurity nationwide, the CIAS focuses on K-12 education that introduces students to cybersecurity principles through educational gaming and storytelling. Our goals are to create *good cyber hygiene* and *awareness of cyber careers*. [ All K-12 Education ](https://cias.utsa.edu/k-12/) ## Played In Countries 1 high-quality, high-impact ### Cybersecurity Training Courses Seminars Workshops Our training efforts focus on improving overall cybersecurity awareness, technical capabilities, professional development and continuity plans. We’ve been helping professionals, organizations and communities prevent, detect, respond to and recover from cyber incidents for more than 20 years. [ All Training ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/) ## Reached Small Businesses 1 high-quality, high-impact ### Competitions For more than 20 years, the CIAS has hosted competitions such as the [National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition](https://cias.utsa.edu/competitions/nccdc/), [Panoply](https://cias.utsa.edu/competitions/panoply/) and [HiveStorm](https://cias.utsa.edu/competitions/hivestorm/), and (co-founded) [CyberPatriot](https://cias.utsa.edu/competitions/cyberpatriot/). The CIAS has been developing and conducting competition programs to educate, train and prepare individuals for the cybersecurity workforce since 2005. [ All Competitions ](https://cias.utsa.edu/competitions/) ## 2024 Competitors Worldwide 1 ,000 World Leader Leading the [ISAO Standards Organization](https://cias.utsa.edu/info-sharing/isao-so/) since 2015 and helping SLTTs establish comprehensive cybersecurity programs, the CIAS actively engages the information sharing community to promote secure, rapid and widespread information sharing that helps detect and block cyber-attacks. ### Information Sharing [ More Information Sharing ](https://cias.utsa.edu/info-sharing/) ## CIAS-ISAO Members 1 ## National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium ### Filling the cybersecurity gap since 2004 [ View Our Courses ](https://cias.utsa.edu/training/ncpc/) ### A Collaboration of Five Universities [ ](https://nationalcpc.org/) [ ](https://nationalcpc.org/) [ ](https://nationalcpc.org/) [ ](https://nationalcpc.org/) [ ](https://nationalcpc.org/) [ NCPC Website ](https://nationalcpc.org/) ### Testimonials ## This Is What They Say “NCCDC challenges students’ ability to work together as a team, and rely on their critical thinking skills to apply their knowledge real-time in a stressful situation.” Tom NedorostUCF Coach “The quality of the presentation [on Continuity Planning] and the value of the content easily makes this the best webinar I have attended since the plague days started. CIAS-ISAO aren't the ones to steal on.” James GasserCity of Austin “My students love playing Cyber Threat Defender. We use it in my computer repair course, and it is really the only exposure to security they get. I find that as they continue to play the game and get used to the available cards, they are also getting a basic understanding of the different threats and security features that are out there.” Jason SmithBenjamin Logan High School “An excellent course [on Organizational Information Sharing] to begin, enhance or refine your information sharing life cycle. The scenarios really help to step outside your own POV that adds to the overall thought process.” Lonie PackerTrinity Valley Community College “Awesome, thank you so much! My students have been diving into the game and have enjoyed learning how to play. The use of vocabulary has been amazing, and the conversations have been on track with what I have been wanting them to talk about during computer science class.” Nikki ParkerIraan High School ### Press Coverage ## We're in the News ### [ BizJournals: Municipalities becoming more prominent target for cybercrime ](https://cias.utsa.edu/bizjournals-municipalities-becoming-more-prominent-target-for-cybercrime/) Municipalities are being attacked and their data is being held ransom by cybercriminals. Recently, 22 cities in Texas were hit with simultaneous ransomware attacks. The attack on the 22 cities was a hot topic during two recent back-to-back conferences in San Antonio: the CyberTexas Foundation conference and the Information Sharing and Analysis Organization Standards Organization’s third annual International Information Sharing Conference hosted by the CIAS at UTSA. [![UC Irvine team holding the Alamo Cup trophy after winning the 20th Annual National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/UTF-8UniversityofCaliforniaIrvine-768x432.webp)](https://cias.utsa.edu/university-of-california-irvine-wins-alamo-cup-at-20th-national-collegiate-cyber-defense-championshi/) Competitions ### [ University of California, Irvine wins Alamo Cup at 20th National Collegiate Cyber Defense Championship ](https://cias.utsa.edu/university-of-california-irvine-wins-alamo-cup-at-20th-national-collegiate-cyber-defense-championshi/) University of California, Irvine triumphed at the 2025 National Collegiate Cyber Defense Championship (NCCDC), prevailing over nine other finalist teams to earn the coveted Alamo ### [ UTSA receives $1.2 million CISA grant to develop Pilot Program for SLTT Governments ](https://cias.utsa.edu/ut-san-antonio-gets-cisa-grant-to-develop-high-value-asset-cybersecurity/) The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has awarded the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) a $1.2 million grant to conduct a pilot program to help state, local, tribal and territorial governments identify high value assets (HVA) in order to prioritize resources and planning. The pilot will aid these governments in establishing an HVA program that aligns with the federal government’s while maintaining the flexibility needed to incorporate their individual needs. ### [ KLRN SciTech Now: Preventing Cybersecurity Hack Attacks ](http://bit.ly/2o5yI1t#new_tab) (October 3, 2019) — Cybersecurity is critical for individuals, companies and the military. See how high-tech and low-tech are holding hands to prevent security hack attacks. The University of Texas at San Antonio invented a new card game, which pairs with a digital game to teach people of all ages how to protect their assets. [![2021 NCCDC First Place winners taking a team photo](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/UCF_FirstPlace.jpg)](https://cias.utsa.edu/university-of-central-florida-wins-2021-national-collegiate-cyber-defense-championship/) News ### [ University of Central Florida wins 2021 National Collegiate Cyber Defense Championship ](https://cias.utsa.edu/university-of-central-florida-wins-2021-national-collegiate-cyber-defense-championship/) SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 9, 2021) — University of Central Florida prevailed over nine other schools to win the 2021 National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition and the coveted Alamo Cup. The national championship, sponsored by Raytheon Technologies Corporation, was held in an entirely virtual setting. ### [ Hackers can Hijack Your Home with these 10 Smart Devices ](https://cias.utsa.edu/hackers-can-hijack-your-home-with-these-10-smart-devices/) BLOG — The Internet is full of stories of cybercriminals invading a home by hijacking its smart devices. You’re probably familiar with some of these devices, such as smart thermostats, smart speakers and Web cams. But have you thought about that fancy new refrigerator you just purchased, or your light bulbs? To help you navigate some common – and often forgotten – smart devices in your home, we’ve compiled 10 Internet of Things (IoT) devices that hackers can hijack. [![A sample view of the CIAS website](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Promo.png)](https://cias.utsa.edu/the-cias-launches-new-website-to-support-utsas-cybersecurity-capabilities/) News ### [ The CIAS launches new website to support UTSA’s cybersecurity capabilities ](https://cias.utsa.edu/the-cias-launches-new-website-to-support-utsas-cybersecurity-capabilities/) The Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is proud to announce the release of its renewed website. The new website features a responsive design that aligns with the university’s main website. It also supports the CIAS mission to deliver quality research, training cyber competitions, K-12 cybersecurity programs to advance community and organizational cybersecurity capabilities and collaboration. [![](https://cias.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cybersecurity-stock_680.png)](https://www.utsa.edu/today/2023/10/story/UTSA-awarded-500K-grant-from-Google-to-expand-cybersecurity-clinic%20.html#new_tab) CIAS In The News ### [ UTSA awarded $500K grant from Google to expand CIAS cybersecurity clinic ](https://www.utsa.edu/today/2023/10/story/UTSA-awarded-500K-grant-from-Google-to-expand-cybersecurity-clinic%20.html#new_tab) The UTSA Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) received a $500,000 grant from Google’s Cybersecurity Clinics Fund to grow the UTSA/CIAS Cyber Clinic. The clinic is a long-term initiative focused on strengthening cybersecurity knowledge among UTSA students and the community at large by hosting on-campus classes and workshops at the offices of local organizations. ### [ ExpressNews.com: Leaders tout San Antonio’s defenses against cyber attacks ](https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/Leaders-tout-San-Antonio-s-defenses-against-14368841.php?fbclid=IwAR1C6W5EGn1Kis8ZkgosC0PN2Ul1T1Kn-S8wmPAkAQcWr4wr2urldvBdK3s#photo-18140389#new_tab) (August 21, 2019) — After hackers last week hijacked the data of 22 Texas towns, tech experts in San Antonio this week said the city isn’t impervious to such attacks — but it has one of the strongest cyber defenses of any U.S. community. “We still have a lot to do,” said Greg White, a leading regional cybersecurity expert and director of the CIAS at UTSA. “But we’re on the right path.” Tagged center for infrastructure assurance and security, cias, culture of cybersecurity, cybersecurity competitions, cybersecurity training, utsa, utsa cyber security, utsa cybersecurity