Stellar Cyber, the innovative company behind the Open XDR technology, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at filling the cybersecurity skills gap experienced globally. The company has announced the launch of the University Cybersecurity Partnership Program, targeted at universities, colleges, and K-12 educational institutions across the globe.

The free initiative, intended for usage in educational institutions' Security Operations Centres (SOCs) and other not-for-profit educational purposes, offers access to advanced technology, career placement opportunities, curriculum, and mentorship from seasoned security experts within the Stellar Cyber community. This program will combat the burgeoning skills gap in the cybersecurity sector across the globe.

Figures from the 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study by (ISC)2 reveal that global demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals stands at around 3.4 million - this is over double the figure needed in 2019. Several reasons contribute to this enlarging skills vacuum, but Stellar Cyber believes one of the crucial areas to address is the lack of access that students have to real-world cybersecurity experience.

Paul Levasseur, Vice President of Customer Enablement at Stellar Cyber, remarked, "All too often, students graduate from college without being exposed to the fantastic career opportunities in the cybersecurity industry. We want to ensure that every student comprehends the exciting and enriching opportunity that is present in cybersecurity so they can make more informed decisions about their future."

The University Program boasts several inclusions. Foremost, the enablement portion provides the Open XDR Security Operations platform to educational bodies to use it as a training tool for security operations careers. Secondly, the initiative includes a comprehensive curriculum, illustrated on-demand course content, and instructor-led training. It will teach students to optimise threat detection, response, and investigation using the Stellar Cyber platform.

Additional features of the program include offering training and certification, where students are trained to investigate cyber threats via cutting-edge security technologies like SIEM, NDR, and UEBA, among others. Students can participate in the Stellar Cyber Certification Program to earn additional acknowledgement for their security operations expertise. The initiative also facilitates internships and job opportunities within the Stellar Cyber customer and partner community.

Stellar Cyber also provides a University Talent Hub to help meet job seekers with organisations looking to hire from their network of globally managed security service providers. The potential for mentorship by industry experts from the Stellar Cyber community also exists for students. Furthermore, the program includes licensing for educational lab environments, special educational license discounts, and promotional opportunities.

Chief Revenue Officer at Stellar Cyber, Jim O'Hara, said, "Stellar Cyber is proud to offer this comprehensive, collaborative education program free of charge for those who are training our cyber warriors of the future. We are honoured to do our part to help shrink the cybersecurity skills gap. It's our objective to scale as broadly as possible globally and to assist universities as they prepare their graduates to enter the cybersecurity workforce."

For more information about the Stellar Cyber University Partnership Program, contact university@stellarcyber.ai