As the digital landscape evolves, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to exceed supply, with a global shortfall nearing four million. According to the most recent WEF Report the scarcity is particularly acute in Africa, which given a burgeoning population of over 1.4 billion, has only 20,000 certified security professionals.

"Through our partnership with Falcon Business Institute, we are bridging the critical gap in cyber security training in South Africa, an area with a soaring demand for skilled personnel," said Charnie-Lee Adams Kruger, SADC Country Manager at Check Point Software Technologies. "This initiative is a cornerstone in our strategy to empower future cybersecurity leaders, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds, equipping them with the necessary skills to tackle growing cyber threats."

Celebrating 30 years of educational excellence since its inception in 1994, Falcon Business Institute has been instrumental in providing quality education. Through its Falcon Foundation, the institute offers a range of business and technology programs, contributing to the development of the local workforce. On the other hand, Check Point SecureAcademy is pivotal in fostering new talent by offering partners free instructor training, courseware, and heavily subsidised certification exams. By integrating its cutting-edge cybersecurity courses with Falcon Business Institute's established educational framework, Check Point ensures that graduates are not only well-versed in theory but also adept in practical, real-world cybersecurity applications.

"We are thrilled to partner with Check Point SecureAcademy, a collaboration that aligns perfectly with our mission of empowering the next generation through education," said Ali Busani, Director at Falcon Business Institute. "This partnership will not only enhance our curriculum with top-tier cyber security training but also provide our students with unprecedented access to industry-leading expertise and resources. Together, we are committed to developing a resilient cybersecurity workforce that can safeguard our digital future."

Falcon Business Institute is accredited with the Institute of Chartered IT Professionals (ICITP) to provide unique Candidacy/Professional Learning Programmes to address sector (Cybersecurity) critical and scarce skills training.  As a result of its accreditation with ICITP, Falcon Business Institute may provide learning programmes aligned to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This means all aligned training programmes by Falcon Business Institute lead to a ICITP professional qualification and registration.

The Institute of Chartered IT Professionals (ICITP) is a South African ICT professional body recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and has professional designations registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) according to the NQF Act of 2008.

The partnership between Check Point SecureAcademy and Falcon Business Institute is set to commence with the enrollment of the first cohort of students in the coming academic year. This collaboration is expected to set a benchmark for cybersecurity education in the region, contributing significantly to the global fight against cybercrime.

For more information, visit. https://www.checkpoint.com/mind/secureacademy/