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Horry-Georgetown Technical College President Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore (center) joins
college leaders in the Security Operations Center on the Conway Campus, highlighting
HGTC’s cybersecurity program and the College’s recent designation as a National Center
of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through academic year 2031.
Pictured from left are: Terry Quaresimo, HGTC chief information officer; Harold Hawley, CPA, HGTC vice president of finance and administration; Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore, HGTC president; Dr. Theresa Strong, HGTC assistant vice president and dean of the School of Business, Computer Technology, and Personal Services; and Matthew Servedio, HGTC professor of computer technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) cybersecurity program has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) for its cybersecurity program of study through academic year 2031. The designation recognizes institutions that meet rigorous national standards for cybersecurity education and that play a critical role in developing the nation’s cyber defense workforce.
The designation is part of a national initiative led by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address the growing demand for highly skilled cybersecurity professionals and to strengthen the protection of the nation’s critical information infrastructure. Only a select number of institutions nationwide earn this designation for cybersecurity education programs that meet national standards.
HGTC’s recognition reflects the strength of the College’s cybersecurity curriculum, faculty expertise, and commitment to preparing students for careers in one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most critical workforce sectors.
According to the National Cyber Strategy, a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage, and higher education institutions play a vital role in developing the domestic talent pipeline.
“This designation is a significant honor for Horry-Georgetown Technical College and a testament to the dedication of our faculty and the quality of our cybersecurity programs,” said Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore, president of HGTC. “As cyber threats continue to evolve, preparing a skilled workforce to protect our nation’s digital infrastructure has never been more important. HGTC is proud to contribute to that mission by equipping our students with the knowledge, technical skills and ethical foundation needed to succeed in the cybersecurity field.”
HGTC’s cybersecurity program provides students with both theoretical instruction and hands-on training that prepare graduates for careers protecting digital infrastructure. Students learn to identify and prevent cyberattacks, analyze network vulnerabilities, and conduct digital forensics in a state-of-the-art cyber range environment. The program also prepares students for industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker, CompTIA Network+, and Cisco Certified Network Associate.
HGTC will be formally recognized at a future designation ceremony hosted by the CAE Program Management Office. Institutions that receive the CAE-CD designation must demonstrate that their cybersecurity programs align with nationally recognized standards and that they effectively prepare graduates to support the nation’s cyber defense needs.
Cybersecurity continues to be one of the nation’s most critical workforce sectors, offering strong career opportunities across government, industry and the private sector. Through programs like those at HGTC, students gain hands-on experience and technical expertise needed to protect digital systems and information.
For more information about cybersecurity programs at HGTC, visit www.hgtc.edu.