Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity
Taking classes in your major is one thing—doing it in the real world is another. Bridge the gap by working on real projects, challenges, and research in an agency-like setting.

Protect Real Clients
From law enforcement agencies in the federal government to small businesses and nonprofits here in Vermont, the Leahy Center is a trusted resource for digital investigation, end-user support, vulnerability assessments, and consulting.
Supervised by professionals, students like you receive exceptional hands-on experience while the Leahy Center delivers cost-effective services to its clients. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Being at the leading edge of tech requires a deep understanding of existing technologies and access to emerging trends, tools, and products. The Leahy Center has it all and invites you to dig into hands-on research with their equipment and even pursue your capstone projects with them.
Our students have rebuilt back-up networks and developed policies for the center, presented new and easier ways of looking a computer’s history to law enforcement, developed travel apps, and more.

Experience That Counts
Get Credit
Internship positions are available each semester that could satisfy academic requirements for an internship, if applicable to your major.
Get Paid
Pick up a career-relevant part-time job or paid internship and enjoy the feeling of getting paid to do what you love.
Build Your Portfolio
Because you’ll work on real projects, you’ll have real talking points and work samples that you can show to future employers.
Work with Clients
This one’s a biggie, but trust us. You’ll have to work with others, think critically, and consider goals and expectations your entire career. Get ahead and start now.
National Recognition
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DC3 Designation
Champlain College has been recognized as a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3). As one of the first institutions to receive this distinction, Champlain meets or exceeds the standards set by the DC3 and produces highly sought-after graduates in digital forensics and cybersecurity.
The CDFAE program was created to address the growing need for skilled professionals to combat digital crime. It allows colleges and universities to partner with the government to ensure that graduates are well-prepared to meet the increasing demands of digital forensics in law enforcement, government, and corporate security.
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NSA Designation
Champlain College has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education. With the Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation, Champlain College’s cybersecurity courses, curriculum, and practices meet the criteria established by the NSA and federal partners such as the FBI and the Department of Defense.
As part of the NCAE program, Champlain actively contributes to strengthening the national information infrastructure through higher education and research in cyber defense. The designation ensures a high standard of cybersecurity education and the production of confident professionals with extensive expertise in cyber defense.
Working at The Leahy Center gave me an opportunity to take what I learned in classes and apply it, hands-on, with the added experience of communicating with others to fully understand the problems that I solve day to day.