Fortinet Partners with Kerala’s Additional Skill Acquisition Programme

 

 

The Government of Kerala is introducing Fortinet cybersecurity solutions through its NSE certification program as a self-paced online learning initiative for students. This effort aligns with the state’s digital transformation Kerala vision, aiming to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting global standards and strengthening cybersecurity resilience.

Fortinet has signed a Cybersecurity partnership with the Department of Higher Education, Kerala, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to offer its award-winning cybersecurity training and certification curriculum at no cost through the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP Kerala). This collaboration is designed to empower technical professionals with the skills and certifications needed to thrive in the cybersecurity industry and meet the rising demand for network security expertise. Through ASAP Kerala, the Fortinet Training Institute’s Academic Partner Program will provide access to its globally recognized Network Security Expert (NSE) certification program, covering five proficiency levels and 11 certifications.

Dr. Usha Titus (Retd.), Chairperson & Managing Director of ASAP Kerala, stated, “This partnership is a major step toward skill development Kerala, fostering cybersecurity capabilities for aspiring professionals in Kerala. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, equipping students with future-ready skills is essential to ensure resilience in the rapidly evolving digital world.”

Vivek Srivastava, Country Manager, India & SAARC, Fortinet, emphasized the initiative’s significance, saying, “India’s rapid digital transformation brings new opportunities but also increases cybersecurity challenges. Through our collaboration with ASAP Kerala, Fortinet is committed to equipping students and professionals with industry-recognized certifications to build a strong talent pipeline and enhance cybersecurity training Kerala.”

This initiative is crucial as the global cybersecurity skills gap continues to widen. Fortinet’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report highlights that 70% of organizations believe the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals is increasing their security risks, with a global demand for 4.8 million cybersecurity experts to bridge the workforce gap.

Further strengthening its tech industry Kerala efforts, Fortinet is also partnering with AICTE to provide 100,000 virtual internships in cybersecurity and collaborating with CERT-In to enhance cybersecurity awareness and training programs for academia. These initiatives reinforce Fortinet’s commitment to equipping students, educators, and professionals with cutting-edge expertise, helping Kerala lead in cybersecurity training and safeguard India’s digital economy.