India’s cybersecurity agency CERT-In has joined forces with Fortinet to enhance cybersecurity education across schools and universities. The initiative, launched as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, aims to equip students, educators, and professionals with the critical skills needed to address cyber threats.

The collaboration leverages Fortinet’s Academic Partner Program, offering industry-aligned training on foundational cybersecurity concepts, threat detection, and incident response. A unique feature of the program is the emphasis on training teachers first, enabling them to effectively impart knowledge about online safety and digital security to students.

Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General of CERT-In, stressed the urgency of building a skilled cybersecurity workforce to safeguard India’s digital future. Fortinet India’s Country Manager, Vivek Srivastava, underscored the universal need for cybersecurity awareness in the digital age.

The partnership extends free cybersecurity training to primary and secondary schools and provides joint certifications from CERT-In and Fortinet, designed to boost participants’ job prospects. This initiative seeks to raise awareness and impart practical skills, empowering individuals to better protect against evolving cyber threats.