Fortinet, a global cybersecurity leader, has recognized the potential of military veterans in the fight against cybercrime. However, these veterans often struggle with limited access to training and career resources that would help them transition into civilian cybersecurity roles. In order to address this issue and close the cybersecurity skills gap, Fortinet has formed the Veterans Program Advisory Council.
The council is composed of esteemed members from organizations that support the military veterans community across the Five Eyes countries, which include the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. These members will provide guidance to Fortinet on how to better meet the needs of military veterans looking to enter the cybersecurity field.
Military veterans bring many valuable skills to the table, including discipline, problem-solving under pressure, situational awareness, and an understanding of the importance of strong defense. With an estimated 3.4 million security roles needing to be filled worldwide, the veteran community can play a crucial role in filling these critical cyber roles with the right training and opportunities.
However, the Fortinet 2023 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Global Research Report found that 43% of organizations have difficulty recruiting qualified veterans for cybersecurity positions. This is further compounded by high veteran turnover in the industry, often due to overwork and burnout caused by staff shortages.
To address these challenges, the Veterans Program Advisory Council will provide guidance on how Fortinet can improve its Veterans Program offerings. This includes reskilling and upskilling veterans to ensure they have the necessary skills to succeed in various cyber career pathways. The council members, who have extensive backgrounds working with the military veteran community, will leverage their expertise and experiences to strengthen Fortinet’s programs.
The members of the Veterans Program Advisory Council include Chris Barlow, Managing Director at Cerco IT Ltd; Marty Donoghue, Chief Executive of the RNZRSA; Colin Grimes, Training Coordinator of TechVets Programme; Tom Marsland, Board Chairman and CEO at VetSec, Inc.; Heath Moodie, Director of Vets in Cyber; James Murphy, Director of TechVets Programme; Bryan Radliff, CyberVets Program Manager at Onward to Opportunity; Patrick Shaw, Founder of Cyber Catalyst; and Mark Wilcox, Head of Cyber Training at Cerco IT Ltd.
Fortinet’s Veterans Program aims to provide military veterans with the resources they need to transition into the cybersecurity field. Program members have access to Fortinet’s Network Security Experts (NSE) Certification Program curriculum, which helps them acquire the skills necessary to start and advance their security careers. The program also offers training, professional development resources, and employment opportunities.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Fortinet’s Veterans Program, which has been instrumental in helping military service members, veterans, and military spouses successfully transition into cybersecurity roles. In recognition of its commitment to supporting the veteran community, Fortinet has also been named a 2023 VETS Indexes Recognized Employer.
With the guidance of the Veterans Program Advisory Council, Fortinet aims to strengthen its support for the military veteran community and improve retention in the cybersecurity industry. By providing veterans with the necessary training and career resources, Fortinet hopes to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap and ensure a robust defense against cybercrime.