Fortinet & NAB host Cyber Codefest to boost skills

Fortinet has partnered with National Australia Bank (NAB) to host the third annual Cyber Codefest at Fortress Melbourne during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, aiming to strengthen cybersecurity skills among TAFE and university students.

The event offered more than 20 students from institutions including Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Federation University Australia, and the University of Melbourne a practical experience through a capture-the-flag competition in which they worked to infiltrate a network and identify vulnerabilities.

Dale Nachman, Country Manager, Australia for Fortinet, stated, "Fortinet is proud to support the further development of cybersecurity professionals through initiatives like Cyber Codefest 2024. This event gives TAFE and university students the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to practical challenges in a fun and safe environment while also learning from industry experts. Fortinet is working to equip the next generation of cyber experts with the skills and insights they need to succeed in the cybersecurity field and partnering with leading organisations like National Australia Bank is key to achieving this."

This year's Cyber Codefest featured a presentation by Claus Tepper, Executive Group Security Platforms and Operations at NAB, and a panel discussion with industry leaders, moderated by Cornelius Mare, Chief Information Security Officer at Fortinet. The session focused on developments in cybersecurity, job market trends, and opportunities available to graduates.

Sandro Bucchianeri, Chief Security Officer at NAB, remarked, "It's essential that leading organisations including NAB invest in building a skilled and resilient cybersecurity workforce as cyberthreats continue to evolve. Initiatives like Cyber Codefest 2024 play a crucial role in helping Australia address its cybersecurity challenges by providing hands-on experience and valuable industry connections to the next generation of cyber professionals. NAB is proud to partner with Fortinet for this fun and important event for the third time during Cybersecurity Awareness Month."

Participants also had opportunities to engage with industry experts and network throughout the event, offering them insights into the current landscape of cybersecurity, including the roles of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Fortinet's involvement in Cyber Codefest aligns with its wider efforts through the Fortinet Training Institute's Academic Partner programme. This initiative promotes education by providing access to industry-recognised training and certification, aiming to cultivate skilled security professionals globally.

The company is committed to addressing the cybersecurity skills gap and believes in the importance of developing future professionals equipped for the field's challenges. Dale Nachman added, "The continued success of the Cyber Codefest highlights its importance in building the cybersecurity workforce of tomorrow, as students develop critical technical skills and form invaluable connections with industry leaders and peers each year. Continued investment in the next generation of talent is crucial to reinforce Australia's cybersecurity resilience as cyberthreats increase in complexity and the skills shortage remains a critical challenge. Fortinet is proud to continue hosting this event, now in its third year, to provide students with hands-on experience and the opportunity to shape their future careers in cybersecurity."