Fortinet : NSE Training Institute’s Security Academy and Veterans Programs Support Local Community

FortinetLife Perspectives

Fortinet is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace that empowers individuals to reach their full potential. As a leader in cybersecurity training, Fortinet's NSE Training Institute and Training Advancement Agenda (TAA) helps educate individuals worldwide to improve their career opportunities, while doing its part to close the cybersecurity skills gap. It does this by developing career pathways for security professionals, students, veterans, military spouses and more through its Security Academy Program, Certification Program and Veterans Program.

The Security Academy Program supports more than 300 academic institutions in more than 80 different countries. Through this program, Fortinet gives participants access to Fortinet's NSE training and Certification Program curriculum to prepare them for a career in cybersecurity. Fortinet's Veterans Program helps veterans and military families develop skills, reskill, or upskill to enter a career in cybersecurity.

Recently, the NSE Training Institute sponsored a number of organizations and events in North America and the United Kingdom that are making significant impacts on the communities they serve.

VetCTAP - Helping Transition Active-Duty Military, Veterans and Spouses

Fortinet is an active sponsor of the Veteran Career Transition Assistance Program (VetCTAP) and its innovative, eight-module workshop series with training and curriculum from the Fortinet Network Security Expert program. The VetCTAP workshops assist participants in successfully translating their military skills for application in the civilian job market. This training program includes 27 hours of hands-on, interactive training and coaching. And this is supplemented with ongoing, one-on-one virtual coaching after the formal workshops are completed until graduates obtain a new career.

On March 23, 2021, VetCTAP members and Fortinet employees joined forces and volunteered at the San Diego Food Bank. The Food Bank supports 39,000 low-income veterans and active-duty military personnel and their dependents every month. This initiative ensures that the brave men and women who are serving our country are able to feed their families. According to Jay Garcia, Program Manager of the Veterans Program for Fortinet, 'During these times of uncertainty, it is important for all of us to come together and help out. I'm proud of our Fortinet employees and our partner VetCTAP and its members for coming together to give back at the San Diego Food Bank.'

On May 21, Fortinet presented a sponsorship check to VetCTAP executives.

Janis Whitaker, Executive Director and Co-Founder of VetCTAP, shared: 'One individual we serve attended VetCTAP as he was retiring from the military. He did not know where to start and he did not feel he was qualified to do anything in the civilian world. Through Fortinet's support, we supported this individual, and hundreds of others, with free workshops, individual coaching, and valuable information. Also, we provided practical advice and feedback on resume development, networking techniques, and interviewing skills to help him land his new career. We are thankful to Fortinet for supporting our mission: Preparing Our Heroes for Today's Workplace.'

Girls Learning Code Week - Empowering Youth Across Canada for a Better Future

Girls Learning Code Week, in its 8^th year, was created by Canada Learning Code (CLC). This organization brings accessible computer science to communities across Canada so everyone can create with technology and have the skills and tools to prosper in our digital world.

The NSE Training Institute was a community sponsor of the week-long Girls Learning Code event. Canadian Fortinet employees, led by Veterans Program Manager Steve Nolan, joined together to help Canada Learns Code on May 22nd during two different workshops around the theme of 'Envisioning a Better Future in Virtual Reality (VR)'. Girls, transgenders or beyond binary kids between the ages of 9 and 12 years old, residing in Canada, were participants and beneficiaries of this event.

According to Steve Nolan, 'Fortinet is striving to close the cybersecurity skills gap and one of the best ways to do this is to ensure that young people, and in this case young women and girls, get an opportunity to learn more about tech and to interact with members of the IT community. Fortinet is proud to be a community partner helping to expand the horizons of Canada's youth.'

TechVets - Connecting UK Transitioning Military Members with New Professional Networks and Potential Employers

TechVets is a non-profit in the United Kingdom that works to create a bridge for veterans and service leavers into careers in cybersecurity and technology. Fortinet Veterans Program is a training partner to the organization and provides free training resources via its Security Academy Program to help the TechVets community gain sustainable careers in technology.

Along with free training, the Fortinet Veterans Program connects transitioning military members with new professional networks and potential employers. Successful members of the Veterans Program also conduct joint webinars about key topics throughout the year including 'Reducing the Cybersecurity Skills Gap', 'How Corporate Social Responsibility Aligns with Corporate Goals' and 'Advice from a Veteran on a Successful Transition.'

Cyber Safe Children's Book Donated to Veterans Charities

The NSE Training Institute via its Veterans Program is pleased to have donated 'Cyber Safe: A Dog's Guide to Internet Security,' books to VetsinTech, Blue Star Families, Soldier On, and Coding for Veterans.

'Cyber Safe: A Dog's Guide to Internet Security,' aims to raise cyber awareness amongst children in elementary and middle school, and takes readers on a journey to learn how to stay secure online. The book is centered around a cyber smart dog, Lacey, who teaches her cat friend Gabbi how to use the Internet safely. The book provides a easy-to-understand introduction to possible dangers for children connecting online for school, video games, streaming shows, and more. The book also includes a guide for parents with details on what they should be looking out for when their children are online.

Find out more about how Fortinet's Training Advancement Agenda (TAA) and NSE Training Institute programs, including the Certification Program, Security Academy Program and Veterans Program, are helping to solve the cyber skills gap and prepare the cybersecurity workforce of tomorrow.

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