JMU is one of the original seven centers, which are an outreach effort designed and operated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The program's goal is to reduce vulnerability in our National Information Infrastructure by promoting higher education in information assurance and producing a growing number of professionals with IA expertise. Colleges and universities designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education are formally recognized by the United States Government and gain the associated prestige and publicity.

The National CyberWatch Center is a consortium of higher education institutions, public and private schools, businesses, and government agencies focused on collaborative efforts to advance cybersecurity education and strengthen the national cybersecurity workforce.

JMU President Linwood H. Rose was appointed by President George W. Bush and is the only academic representative on the council. The National Infrastructure Advisory Council was established by President Bush in 2001 to provide advice on the security of information systems for critical infrastructure supporting various sectors of the economy including energy, banking and finance, transportation, manufacturing, and emergency government services.

The purpose of the National Alliance for Information Security (NAIA) is to enhance the security of the global infrastructure through national education, research, and service in the area of information security and assurance. The Alliance comprises of five universities from across the nation - James Madison University, George Mason University, Idaho State University, the University of Idaho, and Tulsa University - all of which are designated as National Security Agency (NSA) Centers of Excellence in Information Assurance.

The Virginia Alliance for Secure Computer and Networking (VASCAN) is a collaboration among four Virginia universities - James Madison, George Mason, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech. Incorporating such resources as JMU's Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance, GMU's Center for Secure Information Systems, and the joint GMU/JMU Critical Infrastructure Protection Project (CIPP), the Alliance combines the varied strengths of our member institutions' security programs for the benefit of the Commonwealth and its colleges and universities.

The Colloquium on Information Systems Security Education (CISSE) is a forum for dialogue among leading figures in government, industry and academia to work in partnership to define current and emerging requirements for information security education, and to influence and encourage the development and expansion of information security curricula especially at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

For over 15 years, JMU has been designated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance Education. This is due to our well-respected programs in Digital Forensics and Information Security and our faculty’s outstanding work in these areas. The faculty involved in these programs have long been interested in working together to focus our research and outreach efforts in Forensics and Information Security. In the fall of 2013 the Center for Forensics and Information Security was founded. The Center was founded in the hope of bringing together students and faculty members interested in the fields of Digital Forensics and Information Security.