Cybersecurity major Fortinet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Department of Higher Education, Kerala, to offer cybersecurity training and certification curriculum at no cost through Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP).
ASAP Kerala is an undertaking by the Higher Education Department that focuses on training students to improve employability. Partnership with Fortinet aims to empower technical professionals with skills and certifications needed to succeed as cybersecurity professionals and meet increasing demand for expertise in network security, an official spokesperson said.
NSE certification programme
Fortinet Training Institute’s Academic Partner Programme will provide access to its Network Security Expert (NSE) certification programme comprising five proficiency levels and 11 certifications. The curriculum includes advanced courses on security-driven networking, adaptive cloud security, AI-driven security operations, and zero-trust network access.
Students will gain hands-on experience through access to online labs, enabling them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. They will receive exam vouchers to achieve advanced certifications. This initiative will equip students to deal with cyber threat landscape at a time when global skills gap continues to widen.
Global skills gap
Fortinet’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report reveals 70 per cent of organisations believe shortage of skilled professionals is increasing their security risks. It also highlights a staggering global demand for 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals to close workforce gap.
NSE certification as a self-paced online learning programme aims to develop a pipeline of skilled security professionals capable of meeting global standards. Fortinet is also working with AICTE to provide a lakh virtual internships in cybersecurity, and with CERT-In to advance cybersecurity awareness and training programmes.
Industry-relevant expertise
Usha Titus, Chairperson & Managing Director, ASAP Kerala and Ex Officio Secretary to Government, said this partnership marks a significant milestone in a shared vision for fostering skill development and enhancing cybersecurity capabilities for aspiring professionals.
“We believe this will pave the way for numerous opportunities, empowering students with industry-relevant knowledge and expertise. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated with rise of advanced technologies like AI, equipping students with a comprehensive and future-ready skill set is critical to safeguarding today’s rapidly evolving digital world.”
Upkeep of digital future
Vivek Srivastava, Country Manager, India & SAARC, Fortinet, said India’s rapid digitisation is unlocking tremendous opportunities. It also brings to light a growing need for robust cybersecurity expertise to safeguard its digital future.
“Fortinet is committed to bridging this gap by equipping students and professionals with industry-recognised certifications and training programs. Through our partnership with ASAP Kerala, we aim to build a strong talent pipeline that not only addresses skills shortage but also contribute to nation’s resilience against evolving cyber threats.”
