Microsoft fills the cybersecurity training gap by providing inclusive and supportive learning environments through training programs and educational partnerships
Microsoft is expanding its Cybersecurity Skills Initiative for Argentina, Chile, Indonesia and Spain, and provides grants to non-profit organizations to help people build skills for the cybersecurity workforce. With this expansion, Microsoft now works in 28 countries around the world, including Brazil, partnering with non-profit organizations and other educational institutions to train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
In recent years, the volume of password attacks has increased to around 921 attacks per second – an increase of 74% in a single year and an average cost of a cyber breach reached US$ 4.35 million – according to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report released last year. At the same time, we are facing a global cybersecurity skills crisis. Demand for cybersecurity skills grew by an average of 35% in the last year.
In Latin America, demand for cybersecurity skills has grown in countries such as Brazil (76%), Argentina (36%), Mexico (33%), Colombia (32%) and Chile (32%). Additionally, there is a huge opportunity for women to work in cybersecurity. According to LinkedIn, the true gender gap of cybersecurity professionals is below:
- Argentina: 84% men vs 16% women
- Brazil: 86% men vs 14% women
- Chile: 87% men vs 13% women
- Colombia: 82% men vs 18% women
- Mexico: 84% men vs 16% women
With that in mind, in addition to expanding the training program to more countries, Microsoft is focused on helping women enter the cybersecurity workforce, bearing in mind that addressing diversity gaps requires internationality in development and in program delivery, and therefore we must create more inclusive and supportive learning environments.
“Economic and technological changes are increasing pressure on today's workforces. The scale and urgency of upskilling must be made a priority as we must promote a more cohesive and inclusive society that allows people to thrive in the jobs most needed. That's why we're offering these learning channels for people, especially women, to drive the global economy and their own,” said Lucia Rodrigues, philanthropy leader at Microsoft Brazil.
Students benefit most when training programs lead to industry-recognized certifications, and we see greater success when training organizations work directly with employers. That's why Microsoft is launching a series of new partnerships with organizations focused on training women in cybersecurity. Partnerships include: WOMCY, a non-profit organization focused on increasing opportunities for women in cybersecurity in Latin America; It is WiCyS, a global community of women, allies, and advocates dedicated to advancing women in cybersecurity.
Finally, nonprofits, higher education, and other training organizations enjoy the opportunity to learn from each other through facilitated exchanges, and it's important to bring them together to share best practices that help scale impact. As a result, our expanded strategy will include a community of practice to support the continued growth of our nonprofit partners.
The impact so far
To date, worldwide, we have trained more than 400,000 people through a variety of channels, including Microsoft Learn, where people have earned security training certificates, and through courses from LinkedIn Learning, including system administration, network security, and more. And we partner with educational institutions and nonprofits around the world to make an even bigger impact.
To help address the cybersecurity skills gap across the 28 countries where Microsoft is now working, the company is launching a new dynamic table. For more information about this news, click on here.
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