News
Fortinet Extends Availability of Free Self-Paced NSE Cybersecurity Training Courses
Fortinet has today announced that all self-paced advanced security training courses will remain free beyond 2021. Fortinet is committed to developing a diverse cybersecurity workforce by continuing to offer free security training for anyone around the world.
Rob Rashotte, Vice President, Global Training and Technical Field Enablement at Fortinet said, “With over 800,000 registrations for our free training offerings in 2020, it has become clear that Fortinet’s NSE training is fulfilling a huge need for all levels of security professionals. As such we are committed to continue offering the entire catalogue of self-paced Network Security Expert training at no cost until we see the skills gap trend reverse. Together with our ecosystem of academic and commercial training providers as well as government and NGO partnerships, we will continue to provide the industry with a diverse, equitable and inclusive pipeline of security professionals.”
Fortinet’s free training initiative provides learners with the following:
- Access to more than 30 free security courses: These courses are on topics ranging from secure SD-WAN to operational technology (OT) security to cloud security with more courses expected to be added throughout the year. Additionally, pre-recorded lab demos by cybersecurity experts are available for on-demand viewing.
- Preparation for NSE Certification exams: Most of the free courses are from the official curriculum for the Fortinet NSE Certification Program. Fortinet’s Certification Program is an eight-level program that has issued more than half a million certifications.
- Continuing professional credits: Through a partnership with (ISC)2, individuals can use their free training completion – as well as any NSE training course – to gain Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for CISSP and other (ISC)2 designations. Learners earn one credit for every hour of NSE Training Institute training they do with Fortinet.
As the pandemic led to the exponential increase of teleworkers, the need for securing remote networks and users became a top priority for organizations. IT teams already challenged with finding security professionals due to the skills gap were faced with an even greater need for expertise to securely transition to a remote workforce. One way Fortinet responded to this need was by opening its entire Network Security Expert (NSE) Training Institute catalogue of self-paced courses free of charge in April 2020.
In doing so, Fortinet provided IT and security professionals the opportunity to learn new skills, reskill or upskill their security knowledge. Since opening these courses to the public, there have been more than 800,000 registrations. Through the course of the year, Fortinet saw an increase in registrations for its cyber awareness training – consisting of the NSE Certification Program’s training levels 1-3 – its mid-levels 4-6 designed for a technical audience and levels 7-8 for advanced expertise.
As the need for enterprise-wide cybersecurity awareness has become such a critical priority for so many organizations, Fortinet also introduced the free Information Security Awareness and Training service. The service leverages the NSE level 1 training and packages it together with a library of awareness assets and administration tools. The service provides organizations with a low barrier, zero cost solution to get started on an enterprise-wide cybersecurity awareness program for all employees.
NSE Training Institute partners with global leaders like the World Economic Forum, academic institutions and nonprofits to deliver cyber training to students, veterans, women, minorities and other untapped resources. NSE Training Institute’s extensive ecosystem of public and private partnerships further enables Fortinet to address the skills gap by increasing the access and reach of its award-winning NSE training curriculum.
Cyber Security
Axis Communications Sheds Light on Video Surveillance Industry Perspectives on AI

Axis Communications has published a new report that explores the state of AI in the global video surveillance industry. Titled The State of AI in Video Surveillance, the report examines the key opportunities, challenges and future trends, as well as the responsible practices that are becoming critical for organisations in their use of AI. The report draws insights from qualitative research as well as quantitative data sources, including in-depth interviews with carefully selected experts from the Axis global partner network.
A leading insight featured in the report is the unanimous view among interviewees that interest in the technology has surged over the past few years, with more and more business customers becoming curious and increasingly knowledgeable about its potential applications.

Mats Thulin, Director AI & Analytics Solutions at Axis Communications
“AI is a technology that has the potential to touch every corner and every function of the modern enterprise. That said, any implementations or integrations that aim to drive value come with serious financial and ethical considerations. These considerations should prompt organisations to scrutinise any initiative or investment. Axis’s new report not only shows how AI is transforming the video surveillance landscape, but also how that transformation should ideally be approached,” said Mats Thulin, Director AI & Analytics Solutions at Axis Communications.
According to the Axis report, the move by businesses from on-premise security server systems to hybrid cloud architectures continues at pace, driven by the need for faster processing, improved bandwidth usage and greater scalability. At the same time, cloud-based technology is being combined with edge AI solutions, which play a crucial role by enabling faster, local analytics with minimal latency, a prerequisite for real-time responsiveness in security-related situations.
By moving AI processing closer to the source using edge devices such as cameras, businesses can reduce bandwidth consumption and better support real-time applications like security monitoring. As a result, the hybrid approach is expected to continue to shape the role of AI in security and unlock new business intelligence and operational efficiencies.
A trend that is emerging among businesses is the integration of diverse data for a more comprehensive analysis, transforming safety and security. Experts predict that by integrating additional sensory data, such as audio and contextual environmental factors caught on camera, can lead to enhanced situational awareness and greater actionable insights, offering a more comprehensive understanding of events.
Combining multiple data streams can ultimately lead to improved detection and prediction of potential threats or incidents. For example, in emergency scenarios, pairing visual data with audio analysis can enable security teams to respond more quickly and precisely. This context-aware approach can potentially elevate safety, security and operational efficiency, and reflects how system operators can leverage and process multiple data inputs to make better-informed decisions.
According to the Axis report, interviewees emphasised that responsible AI and ethical considerations are critical priorities in the development and deployment of new systems, raising concerns about decisions potentially based on biased or unreliable AI. Other risks highlighted include those related to privacy violations and how facial and behavioural recognition could have ethical and legal repercussions.
As a result, a recurring theme among interviewees was the importance of embedding responsible AI practices early in the development process. Interviewees also pointed to regulatory frameworks, such as the EU AI Act, as pivotal in shaping responsible use of technology, particularly in high-risk areas. While regulation was broadly acknowledged as necessary to build trust and accountability, several interviewees also stressed the need for balance to safeguard innovation and address privacy and data security concerns.
“The findings of this report reflect how enterprises are viewing the trend of AI holistically, working to have a firm grasp of both how to use the technology effectively and understand the macro implications of its usage. Conversations surrounding privacy and responsibility will continue but so will the pace of innovation and the adoption of technologies that advance the video surveillance industry and lead to new and exciting possibilities,” Thulin added.
Artificial Intelligence
CyberKnight Partners with Ridge Security for AI-Powered Security Validation

The automated penetration testing market was valued at roughly $3.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow rapidly, with forecasts estimating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 21% and 25%. By 2030, the sector is expected to reach approximately $9 to $10 billion. The broader penetration testing industry is also expanding, with projections indicating it will surpass $5.3 billion by 2027, according to MarketandMarket.
To support enterprises and government entities across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) with identifying and validating vulnerabilities and reducing security gaps in real-time, CyberKnight has partnered with Ridge Security, the World’s First Al-powered Offensive Security Validation Platform. Ridge Security’s products incorporate advanced artificial intelligence to deliver security validation through automated penetration testing and breach and attack simulations.
RidgeBot uses advanced AI to autonomously perform multi-vector iterative attacks, conduct continuous penetration testing, and validate vulnerabilities with zero false positives. RidgeBot has been deployed by customers worldwide as a key element of their journey to evolve from traditional vulnerability management to Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM).
“Ridge Security’s core strength lies in delivering holistic, AI-driven security validation that enables organizations to proactively manage risk and improve operational performance,” said Hom Bahmanyar, Chief Enablement Officer at Ridge Security. “We are delighted to partner with CyberKnight to leverage their network of strategic partners, deep-rooted customer relations, and security expertise to accelerate our expansion plans in the region.”
“Our partnership with Ridge Security is a timely and strategic step, as 69% of organizations are now adopting AI-driven security for threat detection and prevention,” added Wael Jaber, Chief Strategy Officer at CyberKnight. “By joining forces, we enhance our ability to deliver automated, intelligent security validation solutions, reaffirming our commitment to empowering customers with resilient, future-ready cybersecurity across the region.”
GISEC
42 Abu Dhabi and CTF.ae Sign MoU

42 Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital’s innovative and disruptive coding academy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CTF.ae, a leading organization specializing in hosting world-class Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions and advanced cyber drills. The agreement was signed during GISEC Global 2025, held at the Dubai World Trade Center from 6-8 May. In the presence of Dr. Mohamed AlKuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, the agreement was signed by Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Acting CEO of 42 Abu Dhabi and Ahmed Attalla, COO of CTF.ae.
This strategic collaboration aims to nurture future-ready tech talent and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for cybersecurity excellence. Under the MoU, CTF.ae will offer internship opportunities for 42 Abu Dhabi students, providing them with hands-on industry exposure and real-world experience in tackling complex cybersecurity challenges. In addition, both parties will collaborate to deliver expert-led talks, workshops, and training sessions focusing on career pathways and emerging technologies.
Joint efforts will also include the organization of industry-themed hackathons, innovation challenges, conferences, youth circles, and networking events to promote a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Acting CEO of 42 Abu Dhabi said: ” Our collaboration with CTF.ae is a key milestone in our mission to empower students with real-world cybersecurity expertise and future-proof their careers. By connecting our project-based learning model with CTF.ae’s industry-leading platforms and experiences, we are reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy, while supporting the UAE’s broader ambitions to become a global leader in cybersecurity innovation. We look forward to seeing our students lead and shape the future of this critical sector.”
Mr. Ahmed Atalla, COO of CTF.ae added, “Working together with 42 Abu Dhabi allows us to connect with the country’s most talented and motivated students, giving them access to realistic cybersecurity scenarios and challenges to expand their skillset and prepare them for the evolving digital landscape of tomorrow. We have seen the passion of the 42 Abu Dhabi students over previous years, and now is the time to provide them with a cybersecurity exercise platform that keeps them engaged year-round, preparing them to compete globally and achieve top ranks representing the nation.”
As part of this collaboration, 42 Abu Dhabi has coordinated with CTF.ae to host an Attack/Defense Capture the Flag (CTF) competition on its campus. The event was held over two days, with an Attack/Defense CTF Workshop scheduled for April 29, followed by the Attack/Defense CTF Competition on April 30.
-
Cyber Security1 week ago
Dubai Hosts GISEC 2025, Driving Billion-Dollar Cyber Growth
-
Cyber Security6 days ago
GISEC 2025 Launches OT Security Conference Amid 49% Infrastructure Attack Surge
-
Cyber Security1 week ago
DESC to Highlight Dubai’s Cyber Defense Strategies as GISEC 2025 Government Partner
-
Cyber Security1 week ago
GISEC Global 2025: A Vital Platform to Connect With Customers and Partners in the Region
-
Artificial Intelligence6 days ago
CyberKnight Partners with Ridge Security for AI-Powered Security Validation
-
Cyber Security1 week ago
Inside the Shadowy World of Investment Scams: How Fraudsters Use Facebook and Fake News
-
Cyber Security1 week ago
Rising Cyber Insurance Pressures Push UAE Firms to Fix Identity Silos and AI Vulnerabilities
-
Cyber Security6 days ago
Huawei Experts Reiterate the Importance of a Unified Cybersecurity Foundation at GISEC Global 2025