• Check Point Software Technologies will provide PAICTA with the resources it needs to train and certify lecturers at tertiary education institutions.
• The hope is that lecturers would then be able to train students themselves.
• PAICTA has also set up internships supported by Check Point.

The Pan African Information Communication Technology Association (PAICTA) and Check Point Software Technologies have announced a partnership that will hopefully improve cybersecurity education across Africa.

Established in 2020, PAICTA has the mandate of addressing the digital challenges faced by SMEs, youth, women, and people with disabilities.

As part of this partnership, Check Point Software Technologies will provide PAICTA with access to training and instructors online who are Check Point learning and training experts through its Check Point SecureAcademy. This will allow PAICTA to distribute cybersecurity training to tertiary institutions.

“This partnership supports the Check Point vision of upskilling more people and creating job opportunities. As a global organisation, it is imperative to partner with local organisations who can engage with the communities that Check Point can support and offer training to. PAICTA is the perfect partner due to their incredible networks in Africa with government and tertiary education facilities,” SADC country at Check Point Software Technologies, Charnie-Lee Adams Kruger said in a press release.

The goal here is to give universities the ability to train lecturers to pass along cybersecurity training through certification. With this training, lecturers would then be able to train students themselves. Check Point online cybersecurity training will be provided to university students and faculty members for free.

“In Africa, more than 50 percent of the youth is unemployed, according to data portal, Trading Economics. Digital skills development is therefore a critical building block to grow communities and economies. PAICTA was established to help close the digital divide. With partnerships such as the one we have in place with Check Point, we advocate for equitable access to cybersecurity training regardless of age, ethnicity, language, education, and socio-economic status,” says founder and president of PAICTA, Sonwabo Mdwaba.

In addition, PAICTA is running internships for learners in South Africa and 46 students have already completed their Check Point courses. Should you be interested in taking an Check Point online course you can head to this link.

“From software development and cybersecurity to IT change management skills, the youth across Africa can find opportunities in the SMB sector. This is where the focus must fall to enhance the skills and empowering them to become entrepreneurs and grow this vital sector of the continent’s economy. Check Point provides a perfect starting point especially when it comes to getting essential cybersecurity skills in place,” member of PAICTA’s advisory board, Nobert Jere said in a statement.

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