Meeting the cybersecurity demands of the modern and increasingly digital world is no easy task, and it's more than any single user, company, or government agency can expect to do alone. For this reason, teamwork between the public and private sectors is crucial. To thwart nefarious cyber efforts, industry and government must collaborate to share cyberthreat intelligence and encourage a two-way flow of information between the public and private sectors to enhance the effectiveness of our entire industry. 

Fortinet has a long-standing commitment to disrupting global cybercrime through public and private partnerships. We are a founding member of the World Economic Forum's Centre for Cybersecurity (C4C), helping to encourage intelligence sharing to reduce global cyberattacks and disrupt cybercrime. Fortinet is also a long-standing member of the NATO Industry Cyber Partnership, a partner of NIST's National Cybersecurity Excellence Partnership (NCEP) program, and a founding member of the Cyber Threat Alliance, among others.

We have followed suit in Poland and are proud to have recently initiated partnerships with public-sector organizations and the Polish government to improve the effectiveness of the country's security mechanisms.

Fortinet's Partnership Initiatives in Poland

The Polish government has identified cybersecurity as a critical enabler for future growth, prosperity, and security. This aligns with Fortinet's long-held belief that cybersecurity is intrinsically linked to the stable functioning of society and the economy.

One recently implemented initiative by the Polish government is the Polish Cybersecurity Partnership Program (PWCyber). Implemented by a subsidiary of the Minister of Digital Affairs, National Research Institute (NASK), the program aims to expand the country's national cybersecurity capabilities, enhance its cyber defenses, and increase public awareness of the growing threat landscape in the digital era.

Within this framework, Fortinet joins other technology companies and domestic and international corporations in sharing threat data to increase the security of digital processes and critical systems and raise consumer awareness of threats.

As part of the program, the Fortinet Training Institute will provide free Network Security Expert Certification training courses to end-users and deliver workshops to investigative bodies about how to most effectively leverage data analytics in the case of cyberattacks.

Furthermore, Fortinet is excited to work with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) as a member in Poland. As part of AmCham's advisory council, Fortinet participates in AmCham's Government Affairs and Policy network, collaborating closely with Polish and U.S. government decision-makers to help shape the organization's direction in advocacy. Founded in 1990, AmCham Poland has over 380 members, supporting U.S. companies locally and fostering a growth-oriented business environment. We are pleased to participate in AmCham's initiatives to secure local businesses and shape a vibrant and more prosperous landscape in Poland.  

Addressing the Cyber Skills Gap through Collaborative Efforts

Through a series of specialized training programs and certifications, PWCyber aims to equip new and experienced IT professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat evolving cyberthreats. It also encourages collaboration between universities and technical schools to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity experts. The importance of this collaboration is supported by findings in our annual Skills Gap Report that revealed a growing connection between cybersecurity breaches and skills shortages, with 70% of organizations attributing increased cyber risks to the skills gap.

Fortinet works with several academic institutions across Poland as part of its Academic Partner Program, which aims to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive cybersecurity workforce. These institutions include colleges, universities, and secondary schools such as Collegio Da Vinci, Politechnika Pozna