Information Networking Institute to Serve as Regional Host for 2026 Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Community Symposium in Pittsburgh

The Information Networking Institute (INI) is partnering with the National Cryptologic University National Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE) Program Management Office for the upcoming 2026 CAE Community Symposium. This event brings together over seven hundred cybersecurity experts from across CAE partner schools to share insights through presentations, workshops and discussions. This year’s symposium is held at the Wyndham Grand in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from April 28 to 30.  

INI Director Dr. Dena Haritos Tsamitis, who oversees Carnegie Mellon University’s three designations as a CAE institution, will present a keynote address on Tuesday, April 28.  

“Carnegie Mellon has been an innovative force in cybersecurity education and research since the field of information security first began,” she said. “It is an honor to address this community of experts and forge new collaborations for our students and faculty, who help build and secure the systems that sustain our connected world.” 

Attendees have been invited from across the CAE Community’s partner colleges and universities, government agencies and researchers, with many participants traveling across the country. The theme for this symposium is “Get Involved,” chosen to promote connection with the community and involvement with CAE initiatives.  

“This event is critical for developing a cutting-edge workforce in both cybersecurity and AI,” said Dr. Tony Coulson, CAE-C Community National Center lead. “Working together with the INI and CMU for this year’s CAE Community Symposium provides a great foundation for the joining of almost 500 colleges and universities.”  

This year marks the first time there is an open call for presentations, expanding the perspectives that will be shared through workshops and presentations. 

Leadership in Cybersecurity Education  

Housed within CMU’s top-ranked College of Engineering, the INI has a long-standing history of innovation and leadership in cybersecurity. In 2003, the INI created one of the first security graduate programs: the M.S. in Information Security (MSIS), which was developed to address the need for cybersecurity experts following 9/11.  

“The demand for expert, ethical cybersecurity professionals has only grown since we launched the MSIS,” said Dr. Haritos Tsamitis. “While there are many more security degrees now, the MSIS stands out for its longevity and interdisciplinary approach to preparing security engineers.” 

The INI was part of the inaugural group of universities awarded the competitive CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) grant, which supports exceptional security students as they pursue their education in exchange for service in the federal government after graduation. As of 2025, the INI has graduated over 260 SFS@CMU alumni who have gone on to impactful roles in government agencies. Two notable alumni have been acknowledged for their work by being inducted into the SFS Hall of Fame. 

In addition to the MSIS, the INI offers three security graduate programs, including M.S. in Information Technology - Information Security (MSIT-IS) and the newest program, M.S. in Artificial Intelligence Engineering - Information Security (MSAIE-IS).  

Innovation is a central part of CMU's mission, and the MSAIE-IS program is no exception. It was launched in 2022 to educate AI engineers who can strategically navigate the cybersecurity implications inherent in their work. The program is part of a college-wide initiative to lead AI engineering education forward and meet the rapidly evolving field. 

For more information about the CAE in Cybersecurity Community Symposium, see the event website.