OREANDA-NEWS. Cybersecurity provides the critical foundation organizations require to protect themselves, enable trust, move faster, add greater value and grow. However, research indicates there will be a global shortage of two million cybersecurity professionals by 2019. To help close this security skills gap, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is introducing a $10 million Global Cybersecurity Scholarship program and enhancements to its security certification portfolio.

The Global Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

  • To address the shortfall of security talent, Cisco will invest $10 million in a two-year Global Cybersecurity Scholarship program to increase the pool of available talent with critical cybersecurity proficiency.
  • Cisco will offer training, mentoring and certification that align with the Security Operations Center Analyst industry job role.
  • Cisco will deliver the program in partnership with key Cisco Authorized Learning Partners. This training is designed to address the critical skills deficit, providing on-the-job readiness needed to meet current and future challenges of network security.

Certification Portfolio Updates

  • Cisco is introducing a new Cyber Ops Certification to its portfolio of security certifications and revising its CCIE Security Certification.
  • CCNA Cyber Ops focuses on the role of the security analyst working in a Security Operations Center (SOC) which monitors systems and detects attacks. It introduces IT personnel to some of the skills needed in a SOC, giving them an understanding of how responses are coordinated.
  • The CCNA Cyber Ops expands Cisco's existing associate-level certification offerings, which includes the CCNA Security designation, which focuses on the network security administrator role.
  • The CCIE Security revision addresses new expert-level skills and education needed to prepare security personnel for evolving technologies and security threats. This revision includes assessments on the latest security technologies, including Advanced Threat Protection, Advanced Malware Protection, Next-Generation IPS, Virtualization, Automation and Information Exchange. It also includes a new assessment approach focused on ensuring that candidates demonstrate knowledge and skills with evolving technologies, such as Network Programmability, Cloud and IoT.

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