Comisión Nacional de Acreditación

The Comisión Nacionalde Acreditación (CNA) is a Chilean public entity responsible for the accreditation of higher education institutions operating in Chile. Its mandate covers the evaluation and recognition of academic programs and institutional quality across the national higher education sector. The organization works with universities, professional institutes, and technical training centers to assess compliance with established educational standards. By conducting reviews and issuing accreditation decisions, it aims to ensure that educational offerings meet quality benchmarks set by the state. Its activities are confined to the Chilean education system, with no explicit mention of international operations in the source material.

As a governmental body, the CNA operates under the authority of the Chilean state and reports to relevant ministries overseeing education. Its regulatory role positions it as a key actor in the country's quality assurance framework for tertiary education. The organization’s distinguishing attribute is its exclusive focus on accreditation, rather than direct instruction or research. In September 2022, the CNA was identified by the LockBit ransomware group as a victim amid a broader wave of attacks targeting South American organizations. The incident followed recent cyber threats against other Chilean entities and coincided with official warnings about ransomware risks in the region. While LockBit claimed responsibility, no public proof of data exfiltration was provided, and neither the organization nor the attackers responded to verification attempts.