As the threat landscape intensifies, many organizations worldwide continue to struggle to recruit and retain skilled cybersecurity practitioners. While the size of the cybersecurity workforce overall continues to grow, according to recent research, approximately 4 million individuals are still needed to fill vacant cybersecurity roles.

To help shrink the skills gap, Fortinet is committed to training 1 million people globally by 2026 across a five-year span through our Training Advancement Agenda (TAA) initiatives and Network Security Experts (NSE) Training Institute programs. Fortinet also recently joined the European Commission's Cybersecurity Skills Academy Initiative, pledging to train 75,000 individuals across Europe over the next three years. Working with our academic partners is another vital component of this multi-pronged effort.

The Academic Partner Program, part of the Fortinet Training Institute, is focused on building the cybersecurity workforce of the future, partnering with academic institutions to deliver Fortinet's award-winning training and certifications to students around the globe. Through this effort, Fortinet collaborates with higher education institutions worldwide to help learners become part of an elite group of skilled cybersecurity professionals. Fortinet currently works with over 700 academic partners across 100 countries and territories.

Authorized Academic Partners integrate the certification program curriculum directly into their existing courses or can facilitate the content as standalone continuing education. This program allows educators to offer students hands-on lab experiences, as well as free exam vouchers to pursue industry-recognized certifications.

Each year, Fortinet honors the institutions and individuals making a significant impact in helping students obtain the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully pursue a career in cybersecurity.

Recognizing the 2024 Academic Partner Award Winners

Below are the 2024 award recipients in three categories.

Marketing Innovation Award Winners

These Academic Partner Program members have introduced innovative marketing campaigns at their respective institutions that drive Fortinet programs, solutions, and services and expose more learners to Fortinet training and certification opportunities.

• Gewerblich-industrielles Bildungszentrum Zug - GIBZ, Switzerland
• Information Technology Institute, Egypt
• KL University, India
• SENATI, Peru

Academic Educators of the Year

The following winners have consistently offered students innovative opportunities to help them gain the needed skills to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

• Ayoub Bahnasse, ECA-ENSAM, Morocco
• David Jones, Virginia Tech, USA
• Giuseppe D'Amato, ELIS, Italy
• Dr. Savadam Balaji, KL University, India

Outstanding Students from the Academic Partner Program

These students are recognized for their outstanding efforts related to cybersecurity learning opportunities. The awards are based on nominations from educators, as well as each student's related certifications and grades.

• Harchit Singh Chawla, BCIT, Canada
• Lakshmesh Kumar, SASTRA University, India
• Nene Amy Ang