The Center for Information Security Research and Education in the College of Technology at the University of Houston represents a unique environment for engaging the academic community in the issues surrounding information security and the local aspects of securing our critical infrastructures.  As noted in the 2003 National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, and Presidential Decision Directive 63, there exists a critical need to protect critical cyber-based systems essential to the operations of the economy and government.  The National Cyberspace Security Awareness and Training Program notes the need to raise cyber-security awareness in companies, government agencies, universities, and the Nation’s computer users.  It named “shortfalls in the numbers of trained and certified cyber-security personnel” as a priority.  All of these national level documents detail the need for the engagement of the academic community to assist in meeting the challenges of this need to improve on the security of our nation’s critical infrastructures with regard to information and information systems security.  This Center exists for just this purpose, to act as a enabling entity, connecting the academic community at the University of Houston with expertise in information security and the needs of local, regional and national entities.  The Center will achieve these objectives through coordination of research activities, alignment of research and education offerings with industry needs, and through outreach efforts designed to improve education and awareness both in the professional communities and the general public on matters pertaining to information security.