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The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) managed by Carnegie Mellon University and sponsored by the Department of War. It conducts applied research in software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, with a mission to advance software as a strategic advantage for national security.
What does SEI stand for?
SEI stands for Software Engineering Institute. It is not a degree-granting university or a software vendor; it is an FFRDC that conducts research and engineering for complex challenges, particularly those affecting Department of War mission partners.
The institute describes its mission this way: “We establish and advance software as a strategic advantage for national security.” Its work connects academia, industry, and government, and includes developing technologies and methods, testing them, and helping transition mature solutions into practice.
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What does the Software Engineering Institute do?
The SEI’s work spans several related fields. Current focus areas include software engineering, acquisition transformation, cybersecurity, and AI engineering. Its researchers address complex technical and organizational problems, then work with government, university research labs, and industry to put useful results into practice.
- Software engineering: Research and guidance on building, assessing, and improving software systems and the processes around them.
- Cybersecurity: Research and engineering to identify vulnerabilities and improve the security and resilience of systems and networks.
- Artificial intelligence: Work on engineering practices and methods for AI systems.
- Acquisition transformation: Research and support related to how government organizations acquire software and other capabilities.
CERT is a division within SEI
The CERT Division is the SEI’s cybersecurity research and engineering group. CERT researchers study software vulnerabilities and develop methods and tools to counter sophisticated cyber threats. They work with government, industry, law enforcement, and academia to improve computer-system and network security.
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Who manages and sponsors SEI?
Carnegie Mellon University manages the SEI. The Department of War sponsors it through the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. The institute is headquartered at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and also has an office in Arlington, Virginia.
When was SEI founded?
The Department of Defense established the institute in 1984, and the SEI began operations in early 1985. These are separate milestones: its establishment came first, followed by the start of operations.
Among the developments highlighted in the institute’s history are the creation of the CERT Coordination Center after the 1988 Morris worm incident and publication of the Software Capability Maturity Model in 1991. The SEI’s work has also included contributions to software architecture and software process assessment and improvement.
Does SEI offer training or credentials?
Yes. SEI education offers professional training in formats including online, live-online, classroom, and on-site instruction. It also offers certificates and authorization programs. Course schedules and availability change, so check the SEI Education page for current offerings.
SEI training is professional development, not academic degree-credit coursework. The institute states that its training courses do not count for credit toward a degree and that course-completion certificates are not official academic credentials.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are SEI tools and publications free?
Some are. The institute reports that more than 100 of its tools are freely available on GitHub and that thousands of its publications can be downloaded at no cost. Those figures are the SEI’s own reported totals, and availability can change. Start at the SEI website to find current public resources.
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