Fortinet Training Institute Expands Cyber Education Opportunities for Veterans

As businesses everywhere continue to grow, so does the need for qualified cybersecurity professionals. Yet leaders say that finding, recruiting, and retaining skilled cyber talent remains a challenge. According to the Fortinet 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, 70% of respondents indicated that the ongoing talent shortage puts their organization at greater risk of a breach.

It's encouraging to see some organizations implementing unique recruiting and training programs to attract new talent to the cybersecurity field. Nearly three-quarters of IT decision-makers say they have structured recruiting initiatives targeting women, and 60% have similar programs for minorities.

However, only 45% have dedicated recruiting programs for military veterans, and just 36% have initiatives dedicated to veterans' spouses. Veterans often have a strong foundation of skills accumulated from working in highly disciplined and secure contexts, many of which are highly transferrable to a career in cybersecurity.

Creating More Pathways to Cybersecurity for Military Service Members, Veterans, and Their Spouses

To help close the skills gap, Fortinet has a long-standing commitment to building a diverse, highly skilled cybersecurity workforce through its Fortinet Training Institute, where we host a variety of programs designed to give learners the knowledge needed to begin or advance a career in cybersecurity. One of these initiatives is the Fortinet Veterans Program, which helps facilitate the transition of military service members, veterans, and military spouses into the cybersecurity industry. The program has a presence in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand, as well as a global reach through our network of partners.

More than 3,000 veterans and their spouses have benefitted from the program, which offers free self-paced cybersecurity training and online labs, free exam vouchers to gain industry-recognized certifications, access to education and training through Fortinet partners, career development services, and more.

The Fortinet Veterans Program regularly engages Fortinet's global network to deliver new training and education opportunities to veterans and their spouses. Below are two new initiatives that launched this summer.

Networking Fundamentals Bootcamp

Starting June 3, Fortinet kicked off a Networking Fundamentals Bootcamp in collaboration with several Fortinet partners, including Cerco, Helping Heroes, Hire Heroes USA, Onward 2 Opportunity, TechVets, and VetSec. The nine-week program includes weekly live instructor-led sessions and online, self-paced training. Candidates are learning about the essentials of data communication and the basic functions of computer networking.

The program is designed as an entry point for individuals new to the data networking environment and wanting to pursue a career in IT, computer networking and infrastructure, or cybersecurity. The Networking Fundamentals Bootcamp provides a foundation of essential networking concepts and terminology. Students can then build on the concepts to explore more advanced topics related to these career paths.

"The networking fundamentals bootcamp provides essential knowledge that is critical for understanding advanced cybersecurity concepts. This preparation is particularly valuable for obtaining future cybersecurity certifications, which require a solid grasp of networking principles. By mastering these fundamentals, I'll be equipped to pass these certification exams and advance my career in cybersecurity," says participant Chung Fu Wong, CERCO.

Industrial Network Cybersecurity Program

In July, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), a Fortinet Academic Partner, Cyber Catalyst Talent Solutions, and Tech Vets Canada, both Veterans Program Partners, hosted an in-person bootcamp specifically for veterans interested in gaining technical and hands-on expertise in cybersecurity. Fortinet was proud to sponsor the event, with trainer Mike Paez hosting a workshop about cybersecurity for industrial control systems (ICS) and Chief Security Strategist and Global VP of Threat Intelligence Derek Manky hosting a keynote and a tour of Fortinet's security operations center in Burnaby, British Columbia.

In addition, Fortinet donated FortiGate Rugged 60D firewalls for participants to use during the hands-on lab portions of the event. These products will also stay with BCIT and will be used by its students moving forward. In addition to providing participants with real-world experience, this donation aligns with Fortinet's commitment to environmental sustainability and giving back to the communities. "Fortinet's generous hardware donation significantly enhances the program, empowering students with cutting-edge cybersecurity knowledge and skills. The donation provides essential resources, including advanced training equipment and curriculum development. Fortinet's commitment to cybersecurity education empowers future cybersecurity professionals and strengthens the overall cybersecurity ecosystem," remarks Roger Gale, head of BCIT's Industrial Network Cybersecurity Program.

An Ongoing Commitment to Diversifying the Cybersecurity Workforce

Military veterans can be problem-solvers who understand the importance of maintaining a strong defense posture and following the chain of command when dealing with an active threat. These skills are essential to cybersecurity roles and can help veterans jump-start a second career.

Fortinet is proud to support a variety of initiatives to diversify and build the cyber workforce of the future, giving underrepresented populations such as veterans and military spouses access to the necessary knowledge and resources to pursue a cybersecurity career. Learn more about how the Fortinet Veterans Program helps transition members of the military to the cybersecurity industry.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.