The first batch of midshipmen who took the cyber operations course at the U.S. Naval Academy will graduate on May 27, the U.S. Navy reported Monday.
The Navy said the 27 graduates compose the inaugural class of the academic program, which covers areas such as computer architecture, programming, networks, data structures, information assurance, forensics and cryptography.
The course works to provide knowledge on cyber applications in the military and national services designed to prepare graduates for various roles under the Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
“Whether these students are going into the cryptologic warfare, air warfare, submarine warfare, surface warfare or special warfare communities, USNA is building a cadre of junior officers who are leaving here with an understanding of cyber operations,” said Capt. David Bondura, USNA deputy director of the center for cybersecurity studies.
The academic offering also includes electives in policy, ethics, social engineering, law and other relevant fields, the Navy added.
Officers that complete the cyber operations program can enter advanced studies or select assignments with cyber-related military forces to support national security, the service branch said.
The report added that 51 freshmen have selected cyber operations as a major earlier in the year.
