Fortinet will support the European Commission’s goal to close the cybersecurity skills gap with free cybersecurity training.
The Fortinet Network Security Expert Certification program will be offered to up to 75,000 people in Europe through the EC’s Cybersecurity Skills Academy over the next three years. Fortinet said the program will increase access to cybersecurity awareness training and help individuals grow or start their careers in the cybersecurity field.
According to the Cybersecurity Higher Education Database, cybersecurity graduates grew 25 percent over the past two years. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, however, noted that the graduates cannot cover the number of vacancies in the cybersecurity workforce.
Fortinet said about 40 percent of IT decision-makers in the region are facing difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified security professionals.
During the launch of the Cybersecurity Skills Academy in April 2023, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said vacant positions for cyber professionals could reach 500 million in the coming years. In 2022 alone, ENISA estimated the cyber workforce shortage between 260,000 and 500,000, Euractiv reported.
Fortinet’s partnership with the EU aligns with the company’s goal to provide cybersecurity training to 1 million people worldwide by 2026.