New London — For the first time, cadets at the Coast Guard Academy will be able to major in cyber systems, allowing a generation of young leaders to better meet the emerging operational and support needs of the service, the academy said this week in a news release.

"The world of cyber is inherently multidisciplinary," Dr. Kurt Colella, dean of academics, said in the release. "It incorporates operating systems, policy, law, ethics, information assurance, network defense, big data, software design, cryptography and intelligence, including geospatial systems. All of these fields represent key areas that cadets will explore during their four years at the academy."

In the fall, the academy will open a new 2,000 square-foot cyber lab that will house dedicated servers, a working laboratory and a uniquely designed classroom. Additionally, a variety of cyber-related summer internships will be offered.

The academy has a cyber team, which operates like a club sport team, participating in a variety of organized competitions. It is open to cadets with an interest in developing high-level defensive and offensive cyber skills. Cadets receive sports credit for participation.