Fortinet , a global leader in high-performance cybersecurity solutions, announced an educational agreement with the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) in Kingston a little over a week ago which will see the university offering cyber security training and certification through Fortinet Network Security Academy (FNSA).

The announcement came a day before a computer malware demanding US$300 (£230) payment to release locked files attacked computer sytems in over 150 countries.Called WannaCry, the ransomware targets computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system and has been described as unprecendented in its reach.“Fortinet is devoted to increasing the knowledge of cyber security and the threat landscape, and is invested in improving the necessary skills to combat cyber-attacks in the country,” the company said, adding that the academy was designed to provide training in cyber security and certification opportunities by recognised industries.UCC, formerly University College of the Caribbean, will be the eighth educational institution in the Caribbean from which FNSA offers programmes.“It is imperative that companies protect all aspects of their organisations against cyber-attacks and threats, and to achieve this they must have a skilled staff,” said Andre Lawrence, systems engineer at Fortinet.“Our courses provided in every FNSA are industry standard in cyber security training and certification and we are proud to form a strategic alliance with UCC to promote the education of cyber security professionals,” he added.Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Internationalization and Online Programmes at UCC Professor Bernadette Warner said:“By enriching our training capabilities with Fortinet’s Network Security Academy, we will be preparing our students to become the next generation of IT professionals ready to face the new challenges of the digital economy.”Fortinet explained that it was motivated to launch FNSA because of a what it described as a lack of advanced programmes and network security careers particularly in the Caribbean.“Fortinet collaborates with academic institutions, non-profit agencies and veteran programmes. The volume and speed of information is increasing, causing more cybercrimes and giving way to a crisis in security skill issues. Cybercriminals have adapted, learned evasive techniques and exploited new vulnerabilities. While most of the millennial generation relies heavily on technology, it does not have easy access to advanced courses in cybersecurity.“This is why Fortinet will provide the UCC with training content, instructor preparation courses and pre-paid voucher certificates. This alliance will allow students to apply threat intelligence in practical ways and, at the same time, receive the guidance of first-rate and highest-performing security experts. In addition, students will have access to specialised training such as the Network Security Expert Programme (NSE) courses, which takes them through eight different levels that, when completed, lead to NSE certifications, validating their experience and skills to current and future potential employers,” a Fortinet rep said.Students enrolled at UCC who take the NSE courses will be able to take advantage of the wide range of Fortinet security solutions, including, but not limited to, the FortiGate and FortiManager.