Fortinet partners with Temasek Polytechnic for cybersecurity training

Fortinet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Temasek Polytechnic (TP) to integrate its industry-recognised cybersecurity training and certification programmes into the polytechnic's current curriculum. This partnership aims to cultivate skilled talent tailored to meet Singapore's growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.

Dr Eng Pin Kwang, Senior Director, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Data Officer at Temasek Polytechnic, emphasised the institution's commitment to aligning its educational offerings with industry needs. "Our partnership with Fortinet demonstrates our commitment to providing education that meets today's industry demands while ensuring our staff remain updated with industry practices. Through this collaboration, we aim to empower our students with the necessary skillsets and knowledge to navigate an increasingly digital world and contribute significantly to building cyber resilience in Singapore and beyond," said Kwang.

The collaboration is part of Fortinet's continuous efforts to address the considerable shortfall of cybersecurity professionals in the workforce. According to Vishak Raman, Vice President for India, SAARC, SEA, and ANZ at Fortinet, "The need for a robust pipeline of cybersecurity talent is more crucial than ever. By providing students with access to our industry-recognised training and certification programmes, we aim to equip them with the necessary skills and credentials to tackle the ever-worsening cyber landscape and succeed as cybersecurity professionals in their careers. This partnership is in line with our commitment to support Singapore in developing the right talent that is needed to ensure that businesses are better equipped to defend against cyber threats and strengthen the nation's digital resilience."

As part of the agreement, Fortinet's award-winning certification training programmes will be incorporated into the cybersecurity courses offered by TP's School of Informatics & IT. The Fortinet Network Security Expert certification training will also be accessible to faculty staff and students, covering topics such as network and cloud security, security operations, security analytics, and threat intelligence.

Students will benefit from guest lectures conducted by Fortinet experts, who will share their knowledge through case studies and hands-on experiences. Certified instructors from Fortinet will guide these practical learning sessions, which are designed to enhance the real-world applicability of the skills taught.

The MOU also includes the establishment of an Operational Technology Security Laboratory. This facility will serve as a sandbox for joint projects, focused on both educational and research purposes, providing practical environments for students and faculty to experiment and innovate.

According to the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, 87% of organisational leaders reported experiencing one or more security breaches. Of those, 70% partially attributed the incidents to a lack of cybersecurity skills, while 72% of leaders indicated difficulties in finding candidates with the right technology-focused certifications. The partnership between Fortinet and TP aims to address this skills gap by producing graduates who are well-equipped to handle the demands of the industry.