Fortinet's Mission to Bridge the Cybersecurity Skills Gap
In an increasingly tumultuous time for the cyber sphere, where the reliance on digital infrastructure is outpacing the cybersecurity professionals able to secure it, our interconnected world is in a precarious position.
The scale of this challenge is staggering. According to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework white paper, by 2030, the global talent shortage could reach 85 million workers across all sectors, potentially resulting in US$8.5tn in unrealised annual revenue.
In response to this pressing issue, private sector initiatives have emerged as a crucial component in the fight to safeguard our digital future. One cybersecurity company in particular has decided to take this issue head on: Fortinet.
Fortinet's proactive approach
In 2021, Fortinet pledged to train one million individuals in cybersecurity by the end of 2026, a commitment that underscores the urgency of the situation. At the halfway point of this five-year initiative, they have already trained over half a million people, demonstrating significant progress towards their ambitious goal.
"Through our longstanding investments to address the cyber talent shortage, Fortinet continues to grow and expand our programs and strategic partnerships by delivering an award-winning cybersecurity training and certification program. Addressing the cyber skills gap is vital to enhancing our society's collective cyber resiliency, and we are committed to developing the current and future cyber workforce through the Fortinet Training Institute."
The company's approach is multifaceted, combining global initiatives with targeted regional efforts. In Europe, Fortinet has pledged to provide free cybersecurity training to up to 75,000 individuals over the next three years as part of the European Commission's Cybersecurity Skills Academy Initiative.
Meanwhile, in India, a country that produces nearly one-third of the world's graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Fortinet is partnering with the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and EduSkills Foundation to offer 100,000 virtual internships.
Fortinet's 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report showed a staggering 70% of organisations believing their security is at risk due to the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals.
The rapid evolution of cyber threats, coupled with the increasing complexity of technologies like AI and big data, makes the need for skilled professionals more pressing than ever.
Despite a 12.6% growth in the global cybersecurity workforce between 2022 and 2023, the talent gap remains significant. The healthcare sector, in particular, has been identified as vulnerable, with attacks potentially having dire consequences for patient safety.
Recognising the importance of diversity in strengthening the cybersecurity workforce, Fortinet has forged partnerships with organisations such as Women in CyberSecurity and veteran support programs. These collaborations offer hands-on training through boot camps and workshops, aiming to upskill veterans, women, and underserved communities.
This focus on diversity aligns with the World Economic Forum's emphasis on the need for a multifaceted workforce to secure our increasingly digitised world. The Forum notes that while technical skills are often in the spotlight, softer skills such as communication, teamwork, and troubleshooting are equally valuable in navigating the complexities of cybersecurity.
Fortinet's efforts are part of a larger ecosystem of initiatives aimed at addressing the cybersecurity skills gap. The company is involved in over 700 partnerships across more than 100 countries and participates in public-private partnerships, including the White House's National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy.
These collective efforts are crucial, as the cybersecurity industry faces unique challenges. The extraordinarily fast evolution of cyber attackers' abilities, complemented by a growing choice of technologies they can leverage, necessitates a workforce that can adapt and innovate rapidly.
Fortinet securing the future
As Fortinet continues its mission to train one million individuals by 2026, it is clear that such initiatives are vital to our collective cyber resilience. However, the challenge remains immense.
With cybersecurity threats evolving rapidly and the WEF stating four million professionals are urgently needed to plug the talent gap in the global cybersecurity industry, the strength of this scheme lies in the training as much as the example being set for other enterprises to come together to address the issue.
Initiatives like Fortinet's are not just commendable; they are essential to keeping our systems safe in an increasingly complex and vulnerable digital landscape.
As we move forward, it will be crucial for both public and private sectors to continue investing in and developing cybersecurity talent to ensure a secure digital future for all.
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