Fortinet partners with Police Veterans Victoria for cybersecurity training

Fortinet has announced a partnership with Police Veterans Victoria to offer cybersecurity training to police veterans from Victoria.

This collaboration aims to address the existing cybersecurity skills gap by equipping veterans with essential cybersecurity skills for employment opportunities in the field.

The training, provided through the Fortinet Training Institute's Veterans Program, will cover various levels of cybersecurity expertise.

Nicole Quinn, Head of Government Affairs, APAC at Fortinet, stated, “This partnership with Police Veterans Victoria marks a first-of-its-kind partnership for Fortinet. As part of the Fortinet Training Institute's commitment to increase access to cybersecurity training, this new collaboration recognises the invaluable contributions of police members and helps to address the challenges of identity loss that can occur during their transition out of active duty.”

Professor Neil Curtis, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Solve Transition, will mentor the participants, guiding them through their transition into the cybersecurity industry. Participants will have access to Fortinet's Network Security Expert (NSE) Certification program, including a range of self-paced and instructor-led courses as well as practical, hands-on exercises. The courses will cover everything from foundational knowledge to advanced architecture.

The urgency of tackling the cybersecurity skills gap has been underlined by Fortinet’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, which highlighted that 3.4 million cybersecurity positions globally are currently unfilled. Specifically, in Australia and New Zealand, 70 per cent of respondents indicated that the shortage of cybersecurity skills poses additional risks to their organisations. Nearly 90 per cent of company leaders globally attributed at least part of the breaches they experienced to a lack of cybersecurity expertise.

David McGowan, Chief Executive Officer of Police Veterans Victoria, commented, “The transition from active duty to civilian life can be challenging for veterans, often leading to feelings of uncertainty and a lack of purpose. By providing the opportunity for police veterans to train in cybersecurity, these individuals are empowered to develop new, in-demand skills that not only enhance their professional qualifications but also instil a renewed sense of purpose.”

The programme is expected to help reconnect veterans with a sense of belonging, leveraging their past experiences and discipline to thrive in the critical field of cybersecurity.

Professor Neil Curtis emphasised the personal and professional benefits that this training could bring, noting, “As a police veteran myself, I understand as veterans engage with the complexities of cybersecurity, they can leverage their past experiences and discipline to thrive in this critical field. This opportunity not only opens doors to rewarding career prospects but also creates a sense of belonging within a growing community of cybersecurity professionals, helping them to redefine their identities post-service and make meaningful contributions to society.”

The cybersecurity skills training will be offered at no cost to the veterans, underlining Fortinet's commitment to social responsibility and human resource development. This initiative forms part of Fortinet’s broader goal to train one million people in cybersecurity by 2026.

This partnership between Fortinet and Police Veterans Victoria exemplifies a collaborative approach to both workforce development and cybersecurity resilience, according to a statement. It provides a dual benefit: aiding the transition of police veterans into post-service careers while simultaneously addressing the global cybersecurity skills shortage.