In a bid to meet the increasing demand for sought-after IT security skills into Kenya’s market, Strathmore University has joined Fortinet’s Security Academy Program to bolster skill development and certification, and becomes the first academic institution in the East African country to do so.

The University says job-seekers lack the skills required for them to effectively operate, support and understand the complexities of next-generation security technology and threats.

According to industry body ISACA Kenya (Information Technology, Security and Assurance Kenya) the country currently records approximately 3 000 cyber-crime incidents every month.

A 2018 Africa Cyber Security Report on Kenya, released by Serianu Limited, said the country spent US$295-million in 2018 alone to fight cybercrime, and at the time was home to just 1,700 skilled cybersecurity professionals.

The Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) Training Institute’s Security Academy Program is designed to provide industry-recognised cybersecurity training and NSE certification to students through theoretical and hands-on laboratory practice.

Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of the iLabAfrica Research Centre at Strathmore University, said, "We have noted an increase in employers seeking to hire employees with relevant cybersecurity qualifications. As such, the collaboration with Fortinet will further assist us in equipping our students with in-demand cybersecurity skills employers seek.”

Cybersecurity expert and head of Managed Security Services at Dimension Data East Africa Dr. Bright Mawudor added: "A lot of theoretical skills are being taught at the universities and nothing practical. There is also an overflow of information because IT workers have learned everything and anything but have not been able to apply in the organisation. So, what is needed is a structured way of being able to learn cybersecurity without having a pressured kind of thing from people where you see everybody getting certifications so you also want to get one.”

The University expects that 30 students will enter the market by the end of 2020.