Posted by Bangalore: Fortinet and IBM have joined hands in building cybersecurity skills. Fortinet said it is integrating its Network Security Expert training and certification curriculum with IBM’s SkillsBuild, a digital platform for users to develop technology and professional skills, including cybersecurity.
Fortinet and IBM will focus on creating new cybersecurity career options by training traditionally untapped candidates and connecting learners to employers.
This collaboration underscores Fortinet’s Corporate Social Responsibility commitment to closing the cybersecurity skills gap through global collaborations and its Network Security Expert (NSE) Training Institute’s Security Academy Program.
“To further address the cyber skills shortage, we’re excited to partner with IBM to integrate Fortinet’s Network Security Expert training and certification curriculum with IBM’s SkillsBuild digital platform,” said Rajesh Maurya, Regional VP India and SAARC – Fortinet
“Fortinet will work with IBM to make it easier for anyone to start a career in cybersecurity regardless of their background, previous access to education, or life experiences,” added Maurya.
Growing Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals
Cybersecurity is a high growth area and the global pandemic has further boosted the industry’s demand. An (ISC)2 poll found that 81% of respondents view security as an essential function as employees are working remotely due to COVID-19.
As the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to rise, so does the need to attract a broader more diverse workforce into the field. In fact, a recent Fortinet survey found that 68% of organisations struggle to recruit, hire and retain cybersecurity talent. With the global pandemic, this challenge has significantly increased.
Fortinet and IBM to Further Develop the Cybersecurity Workforce
The Fortinet and IBM partnership will help address this issue via IBM’s SkillsBuild – a digital platform for job seekers, including those with long-term unemployment, refugees, asylum seekers, veterans and students, with career fit assessments, training, personalised coaching and the experiential learning.
SkillsBuild will now include cybersecurity curriculum from Fortinet’s NSE Training Institute for job seekers looking for a career in security.
Through SkillsBuild’s new curated cybersecurity content leveraging Fortinet’s NSE training and certification curriculum, Fortinet and IBM aim to:
- Provide cybersecurity training that develops skills, reskills and upskills
- Help untapped candidates launch their careers
- Connect learners to employers
- Offer further recognition of skills
One focus area of Fortinet’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives is addressing the cybersecurity skills gap by collaborating with other businesses, academic institutions through the Security Academy Program, and governments around the world.
“Some of the toughest challenges businesses are facing today need skills that don’t require a traditional degree, such as cybersecurity experts, which is why there is a critical need to make sure everyone–from job seekers to professional transitioning to new careers–are gaining meaningful skills that align to industry needs,” said Lisa Neddam, SkillsBuild Program Leader, IBM Corporate Social Responsibility.
“That’s why, regardless of background, education or life experience, SkillsBuild will equip learners with the professional skills and mentorship they need to be more employable and navigate jobs in the new digital economy,” added Neddam.