Designing SecureAI Curriculum for National Security Needs: The Illinois Tech Program of Study

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly embedded in national security, defense, and critical infrastructure systems, yet the security of these systems remains insufficiently addressed in traditional cybersecurity education. National initiatives led by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation have identified the Security of Artificial Intelligence (SecureAI) as a distinct educational priority supported by formal knowledge units and program validation requirements. Concurrently, workforce data and federal reporting reveal persistent shortages of qualified cybersecurity professionals, particularly in defense and government sectors. This paper presents Illinois Institute of Technology as a case study in the design of a SecureAI applied concentration aligned with NSA-style knowledge units and Center of Academic Excellence principles. The paper demonstrates how a four-course SecureAI program, anchored by a shared undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity foundation, addresses emerging AI security risks while strengthening the national cybersecurity workforce pipeline.