Tabuk University Launches the First Fortinet Network Security Academy in Saudi Arabia

Fortinet, a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, today announced that Tabuk University will be the first educational institution in Saudi Arabia to offer the Fortinet Network Security Academy (FNSA) program. The FNSA is designed to develop and train action-oriented cybersecurity experts to manage new and advanced threats on the horizon.

The Academy will provide industry-recognised cybersecurity training and certification opportunities to students who will learn how to protect organisations from cyber threats. Fortinet will arm the Tabuk University team with the skills required to teach the program through extensive staff development. 

“Organizations in the Middle East have struggled for years to close the significant skills gap between cybersecurity talent required for the business and its actual market availability,” said Alain Penel, Regional Vice President – Middle East, Fortinet. “Our partnership with Tabuk University is a step towards helping close the skills gap in the network security arena at the grassroots level, and prepare students for a career in network security. The FNSA program will provide industry-recognized Fortinet training and certification opportunities to students who enrol at the university.” 

Students at Tabuk University will be prepared for success in a career in network security, obtaining both the theoretical lectures and hands-on laboratory practice needed to achieve a Fortinet certification. The university will offer students the NSE 4 - FortiGate Network Security Professional curricula delivered by a Fortinet certified trainer in a purpose built lab. Students will be encouraged to participate in the program through incentives such as free course and exam vouchers for the first time. 

“We are proud to be the first university in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to introduce the Fortinet Network Security Academy,” said Dr Saad Almutairi, Dean of IT Deanship, Tabuk University. “Our vision is in line with the government of Saudi Arabia to help build a strong workforce capable of meeting the requirements of businesses in Saudi Arabia, and helping to increase the number of skilled network security professionals. As an academic institution, we play a crucial role in building and shaping careers of individuals. Through the Fortinet Network Security Academy program, we aim to encourage students to build a career in network security from a young age, thereby contributing to the strength of highly skilled professionals.”

The FNSA was created to address the international shortage of cybersecurity experts and to build a workforce skilled in all aspects of Fortinet’s end-to-end network Security Fabric, who will be trained in state-of-the-art lab environments through experienced instructors.  The Academy brings the training and certification opportunities to help build a workforce skilled in all aspects of Fortinet’s network security platform who will be recognized in the industry among an elite group of security professionals.