Grand Canyon University is adding to is technology accolades, this time earning an international recognition from the Information Systems Security Association.
The association, a nonprofit for information security professionals that touts more than 10,000 members in 100 countries, named the university its 2025 Organization of the Year.
“This is a huge honor, and it starts with the commitment that the university makes to its student body and that it makes to advancing our knowledge in technology and in security,” said the association’s Phoenix chapter president, Deb Bond. She shared the news that GCU was named the award recipient at a recent meeting of the university's Threat Intelligence Support Unit, a 12-week threat intelligence program developed by GCU adjunct professor Mike Manrod, chief information security officer of Grand Canyon Education, and his team with support from Dr. Pam Rowland, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Technology.
“It’s really a big deal, because dozens, maybe even hundreds, of organizations get nominated for organization of the year,” Bond said. “When the international chapter’s board of directors sits down and they look at all of these organizations that have been nominated, they look at, what is the commitment that they make to the community?”
Said Jimmy Sanders, president of ISSA International, on the association’s website, “For more than two decades, ISSA has proudly honored individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in cybersecurity, demonstrating unwavering dedication to advancing their skills and strengthening their profession. Their remarkable contributions not only enhance the ISSA community but also drive innovation and collaboration across the broader information security and technology landscape.”
The industry nonprofit, which promotes the sharing of information security management practices and publishes the peer-reviewed ISSA Journal, relayed how the university has gone beyond traditional cybersecurity education. It also operates its Cyber Center of Excellence, a modern cyber range in GCU’s Technology Building, where students and others in the community can sharpen their cybersecurity skills.
GCU also has launched initiatives such as Girls in Cyber and the Threat Intelligence Support Unit “to help bridge the cyber workforce gap while also contributing meaningful research and support to the community,” the association conveyed in its award notes.
Added Rowland, “Grand Canyon University has an amazing team that is committed to growing the knowledge base and workforce in cybersecurity.”
ISSA Organization of the Year isn’t the only accolade the technology division of the college has received.
The National Security Administration recognizes two of its academic programs as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense: the bachelor of science in information technology with an emphasis in cybersecurity, and the bachelor of science in cybersecurity.
GCU was nominated for the ISSA award by Rich Owen, a cybersecurity icon who authored the original security standard for NASA, called “the pink book,” when he was NASA’s computer security official in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Owen has had a distinguished career in cybersecurity and, in his nomination, recognized the impact GCU is having on the cybersecurity community in Phoenix.
Honorees will be celebrated at the ISSA’s 40th anniversary celebration in Dallas in September.
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