Check Point Software Technologies has partnered with Singapore Polytechnic to provide the educational institution with a comprehensive cyber security curriculum as part of the vendor SecureAcademy education program.
The program aims to help prepare students for a career in the cyber security sector, which is facing a worldwide shortage of talent.
As the city-state continues its investments towards becoming a smart nation, more cyber security talent will be needed.
The Southeast Asian region has become a hotbed for cyber attacks in recent years, with countries like Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia experiencing recent security breaches.
In Singapore, we have seen the city-state’s largest data breach to date in the SingHealth breach, and more recently a breach of data from the Singapore Red Cross.
It is estimated that Singapore will face a potential shortage of up to 3,400 cyber security professionals by 2020, whereas globally, and according to Cybersecurity Ventures, it is estimated that there will be 3.5 million unfilled positions by 2021.
"The cyber security industry is plagued by a talent gap in which there are significantly more jobs to fill than there are qualified candidates," said Shay Solomon, director for cyber security education services, Check Point Software Technologies.
"Our mission is to bridge that gap by creating more opportunities for formal learning and professional development in which students walk away with not just a deeper understanding of industry-leading solutions, but also a tangible path to employment."
The educational program will focus on the students ability to recognise and resolve IT security threats, "develop hands-on experience" with leading security solutions and "acquire employable real-world skills" to protect networks.
Upon completion of the course, students will earn a globally recognised credential in cyber security with an industry-recognised certification assuring expertise in the field anywhere in the world.
Furthermore, students who pass the certification exam upon completion will be extended an interview opportunity for employment at Check Point global offices or its network of more than 5,000 affiliates.
"Partnering with Check Point SecureAcademy allows our staff and students to have access to the training and best practices from Check Point, a leading provider of cyber security solutions in the industry,” said Liew Chin Chuan, director, School of Computing, Singapore Polytechnic. "Our students will be better prepared when they enter the workforce."
