UVA has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research (CAE-R) through the academic year 2024. UVA is the 3rd institution in Virginia (after GMU and VT) to receive such designation. The process to receive the designation included an extensive review process which verified that the department has significant engagement in cyber defense (CD) research initiatives, community service, outreach, and collaboration. The process also verified that CD faculty have a history of CD research funding from sources such as DARPA and the NSF. The CAE-R designation is viewed as a testimony to the department's graduate-level CD research strength. This designation signifies the importance of the department's CD research areas and our impact in those areas. It also demonstrates that our graduate students receive sufficient CD background and CD subject matter preparation.