Training cybersecurity experts

HELP University is embarking on a new frontier in education, to deliver cybersecurity skills training and certification, in collaboration with the EC-Council and Intellize Tech Services, which specialise in developing cybersecurity skills and competencies.

The EC-Council, a US-based professional body that provides cybersecurity certification training, has created cybersecurity credentials such as the Certified Network Defender (C|ND), Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO), and Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (C|HFI). These are offered in over 145 countries.

Many of these certifications are recognised globally and have received endorsements from various government agencies including the US Federal Government via the Montgomery GI Bill, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS), said HELP in a press release.

Cybersecurity is growing in importance and covers a wide range of skills ranging from ethical hacking, network defender, forensic investigation, and disaster recovery.

Graduates in various professional fields need such knowledge and skills to help protect an organisation’s systems and data.

The newly introduced EC-Council Cybersecurity programme, which complements HELP’s Master in Economic Crime Management programme, prepares HELP students to play a prominent and pioneering leadership role in the security space.

They will then have the opportunity to qualify for the industry standard EC-Council certification, giving them a strong grounding in computer skills and security, which can lead to a successful career as cybersecurity professionals.

The EC-Council Cybersecurity Certification comprises expert programmes with different specialisations.

HELP vice-chancellor and president Datuk Dr Paul Chan believes the certification will give graduates a competitive advantage in the age of IR4.0.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have witnessed an increase in cyber fraud and identity theft due to the recession.

“Our graduates need to be better equipped and trained to safeguard not only their own assets but the assets of their potential employer.

“Unethical hacking is now a serious challenge and a destructive force to the security and safety of all companies and governments, ” said Dr Chan during the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Intellize Tech Services and the varsity.

Sean Lim, the chief operating officer of EC-Council Academia which grants the certification for the programme, said: “Covid-19 is the modern world’s greatest disruptor and only organisations with the vision and gumption to change quickly will thrive – HELP is one such positive example. Their foresight in building expertise in online delivery has earned them the QS-5 STAR rating and that is especially critical in the Covid-19 and post pandemic world.”

Lim added that a wide range of teaching, learning and assessment approaches including case studies, investigations, discussions, resource–based learning, and independent reading, will be adopted in the delivery of the EC-Council Cybersecurity programme.