New partnership to train the “next generation” of cybersecurity specialists
Cybersecurity solutions provider Check Point Software has partnered with Dundee & Angus College (D&A) to help tackle the nation’s cybersecurity skills shortage.
As part of the collaboration, D&A college will host a new cyber lab creating a more immersive learning environment. The collaboration with Check Point SecureAcademy is the first of its kind in Scotland and the largest in the UK.
The partnership will boost cybersecurity skills by providing students with the most up-to-date syllabus, which is especially important in cybersecurity where the threat landscape, and the technology, are constantly evolving.
D&A hopes to retain talent in Dundee and provide students with the right skills to begin a career in cybersecurity.
The cyber lab was initially launched in June 2019 to create a more immersive learning environment and deliver the Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma in Cybersecurity.
Now with SecureAcademy courses, D&A can broaden its offering in the cybersecurity area, adding enhanced and up-to-date industry recognised qualifications.
The partnership will also see the incorporation of professionally led, interactive activities such as hackathons. At the end of the learning, students will gain a globally recognised certification putting them in an advantageous position when they enter the job market.
Commenting on the news, James Oliver, Head of Curriculum and Quality for Computing at Dundee & Angus College, said: “Our partnership with Check Point is very much aligned with our college-wide mission to become the ‘employability college’.
“We pride ourselves on offering students a stimulating and engaging experience that will thoroughly prepare them for the careers they aspire to have after their time with us ends. One of the things we love about SecureAcademy is that courses keep up with the fast-paced changes in the industry.
“We’re thrilled to be a Check Point SecureAcademy partner, and both our students and staff stand to benefit so much from the knowledge and guidance of this industry leader.”
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Deryck Mitchelson, Field CISO and C-Suite Advisor EMEA at Check Point, said: “Check Point’s ethos is built on companies deserving the best security.
“What’s significant about this partnership with Dundee and Angus College is that we are not just achieving that through products and services but by investing in the next generation of cybersecurity professionals so that IT and security teams across the UK will have access to the very best talent.”
Closing the cybersecurity skills gap is essential for protecting the UK’s businesses especially considering that cybercrime is at an all-time high.
According to research by Fortinet, around 80% of global firms have experienced data breaches linked to a lack of cybersecurity skills or awareness.
2021 saw a 64% increase of firms losing revenue or incurring fines in response to security gaps, according to the report. The data also revealed a tenfold increase in ransomware attacks.
Previous Check Point Research found that British companies experienced an average of 604 cyberattacks a week over the last six months.
Check Point said that driving education around digital technology at all levels is “a social responsibility they take seriously”. The company said its SecureAcademy was created with partnerships focused on accelerating this learning to enhance capabilities globally.
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