Johannesburg, 23 May 2019
* Addressing the shortage of cyber warriors in SA.
* LAWtrust launches the Trust Academy to provide individuals with customised cyber security training courses.
* The Trust Academy utilises the latest training and gamification methodologies to create an army of cyber warriors capable of facing the cyber threat with confidence.
LAWtrust, an Etion company and Africa's leading provider of digital security solutions, has announced the launch of the Trust Academy, designed to provide individuals and organisations with essential cyber security training and education.
The academy, established in partnership with the Cyber Security Institute of South Africa, will utilise the latest in education and gamification techniques to empower individuals in recognising and overcoming the rising cyber threat. The goal is to create a generation of cyber savvy individuals that are capable of supporting both organisation and economy in reducing the cost and impact of cyber crime.
In 2018, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released a report: 'Economic Impact of Cybercrime: No Slowing Down'. The report showcased the global cost impact of cyber crime on organisation, economy and country, and concluded that around $US 600 billion is lost to cyber crime annually. This hefty price tag is attached to the rise in cyber criminal innovation as they adopt and adapt new technologies, leveraging their capabilities to penetrate defences and gain access to valuable data and digital currencies. This figure is further supported by research undertaken by the Ponemon Institute and Accenture in the Ninth Annual Cost of Cybercrime Study, which found that not only is cyber crime evolving in impact and technique, but security breaches are increasing. The cost to the company is rising alongside attacks, as organisations spend more than ever on solutions designed to mitigate the ongoing threat.
"Cyber security has become a critical spend and investment point for organisations," says Christi Maherry, CEO of LAWtrust. "Business is under pressure to ensure that data is secured in accordance with government regulation, that compliance is achieved in every digital corner, and that their defences are capable of withstanding the cyber threat. However, those defences are not just in the technology built around the digital walls of the organisation, they are also the empowered individuals that understand cyber criminal innovation and intent."
LAWtrust will launch the Trust Academy as a dedicated educational space designed to provide individuals with the skills they need to understand the cyber threat and its impact on business and the economy.
"Our goal is to provide individuals and organisations with the tools and insights they need to play a more active role in overcoming cyber crime and recognising the impact it has on their lives and careers," says Maherry.
"The courses are designed to meet very targeted audience requirements. Some will run for a few days, others will run for weeks, each one will be tailored to deliver the right levels of education and insight to attendees. In addition, these courses are tailored to empower people, giving them incredibly valuable tools that they can use to find employment in a skills-starved industry. When you consider how desperately organisations need talented security staff, this level of training can help plug the gap and redress the growing challenge of unemployment in South Africa."
LAWtrust has joined forces with the Cyber Security Institute of South Africa (CSISA) to develop and drive the academy's offering. CSI has extensive experience in creating courses that provide the right levels of insight and education around cyber crime. In addition to tailored courses targeted at specific markets and requirements, the academy will use the concept of gamification to enhance the learning experience.
"We will be revealing some of the course structure at the ITWeb Security Summit, where potential learners can experience what the training will be like," concludes Maherry. "Attendees will gain first-hand experience at the two-day Johannesburg event and their feedback will be used to further streamline the courses to ensure they offer the right levels of training and insight. Initially, the courses will be presented in a classroom format, allowing for the academy to fully utilise the gamification tools at its disposal and to leverage off student interaction to undergo continuous improvement in structure and content. They will then be released online in an accessible, digital format to allow for easy access and admittance across the country."
The LAWtrust Trust Academy will include the following course: A Contextual Overview of the Evolving Cyber Threat and Basic Tools; PKI Introductory and Advanced courses; SSL and TLS Best practices; GDPR and POPIA Compliance Obligations; as well as introducing Gamification to learning. Courses will be customised based on specific organisation requirements and requests, thereby ensuring the skills development is relevant and adaptable to their specific business environment. Any organisation or individual interested in contributing to course content or attending the courses can e-mail trustacademy@lawtrust.co.za.
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