In order to protect against increasingly persistent and sophisticated attacks, maintain credibility, and innovate and grow, organizations need cybersecurity experts.

However, it is estimated that there will be a deficit of two million cybersecurity professionals on a global scale in 2019. To help meet this demand, Cisco has presented a Global Cybersecurity Scholarship Program funded with 10 million dollars, in addition to announcing improvements in its portfolio of security certifications.

Global Cyber-Security Scholarship Program

Cisco will allocate 10 million dollars to the Global Cyber-Security Scholarship Program, which, with a duration of two years, aims to increase the number of professionals trained in advanced cyber-security techniques.

Cisco will offer training, mentoring and certifications aligned with the needs of the Security Operations Center Analyst role, providing the necessary preparation to respond to current and future network security challenges. The program will be offered in collaboration with Cisco Authorized Learning Partners, beginning in August 2016.

Certification portfolio update

Cisco has added the new Cyber ​​Ops Certification to its portfolio of security certifications, in addition to renewing its CCIE Security Certification. CCNA Cyber ​​Ops 200-201 focuses on the position of security analyst who works in a Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring systems and detecting attacks. The certification teaches IT professionals some of the key skills required in a SOC, providing them with knowledge on how to coordinate responses.

CCNA Cyber ​​Ops expands Cisco's current associate-level certification offering, including CCNA Security, focused on the role of network security administrator.

The CCIE Security includes new skills at the expert level and the necessary training to prepare security personnel in the field of new technologies and security threats, including evaluation of the latest security technologies such as Advanced Threat Protection, Advanced Malware Protection, Next-Generation IPS, Virtualization, Automation and Information Exchange. It also includes a new assessment aimed at ensuring that candidates demonstrate their knowledge and skills in state-of-the-art technologies such as Network Programmability, Cloud and IoT.

Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, Vice President and CEO of Services at Cisco:“ Cybersecurity is essential to be successful in digital transformation. Many CEOs around the world believe that their ability to innovate is limited by their security concerns in the new digital age. The scholarship program is designed as a first step to cover the growing deficit of cybersecurity professionals by inspiring and facilitating the training of new talents of any kind, including veterans, women and young people".