UNCW is a National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognized Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD). As a student organization, the purpose of the UNCW Cyber Defense Club (CDC) is twofold. First, the club aims to supplement and enrich the Information Security and Cyber Defense curriculum and provide students with a venue in which to learn and apply the critical knowledge and skills necessary to administer and defend computer networks and systems. Second, UNCW Cyber Defense Club competes in cyber security competitions, such as the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) and National Cyber League (NCL) competition, to give members the opportunity to apply the theory and skills that they have acquired.