Trend Micro partners with schools to advance cybersecurity education

THE world’s leader in IT security College for its Cyber Security Education Enablement Program

Trend Micro, Inc. has forged more partnerships with the country’s top colleges and universities in an effort to equip educators with up-to-date content and solutions to enhance their cybersecurity curriculums.

La Salle University (DLSU) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), have signed memorandums of understanding with the global leader in cybersecurity for the implementation of the latter’s Cyber Security Education Enablement (CSEE) Program.

CSEE is currently piloted in the Philippines with some of the country’s top universities. Earlier in December 2017, The University - versity of Santo Tomas agreed to participate in the program.

An appreciation dinner was recently held for the partner schools represented by Ms. Johanna G. Minglana (APC Director of External Relations), Prof. Charibeth Cheng (DLSU Faculty, College of Computer Studies), Prof. Michael B. Dela Fuente (PUP Associate Professor, College of Computer and Information Sciences) and Engr. Jose Seno (UST Chair, Department of Computer Science).

The program, which forms part of the Trend Micro Initiative for Education (TIE), aims to advance cybersecurity education in tertiary schools through curriculum co-development, cybersecurity introduction courses, faculty immersion and faculty enablement.

Trend Micro co- founder and CEO Eva Chen started the TIE as an answer to the widening skills gap in the IT industry, and appointed Mitchel Chang, the vice president for Corporate Social Responsibility and Education, as lead. Prior to this, Mr. Chang served as the Philippines Site Executive for Trend Micro.

“We are excited to be pioneering this program with some of the Philippines’ leading universities, as the growing incidence of cybercrimes across the globe highlights the vital role of cybersecurity practitioners,” said Mr. Chang.

In 2016 alone, over a thousand cybercrimes were reported to the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cy-

(Left to right) Anna Cordero ( Trend Micro, Inc. HR Director), Ms. Johanna G. Minglana (APC Director, External Relations), Mitchel Chang ( Trend Micro, Inc. Vice President for CSR and Education) and Charm Estioca (APC, External Relations) bercrime Group (PNP-ACG). The growing number of cybercrimes highlights the need for more cybersecurity practitioners in the country.

However, the lack of good, accessible and relevant education adds to the challenge of closing the gap. According to ISACA, a non-profit information security advocacy group, 22% of organiza cybersecurity positions.

“By partnering with schools, Trend Micro hopes to help shape the future of cybersecurity through education and proper training,” Mr. Chang added.

The global Internet Safety for Kids and Families (ISKF) Program is another project under the Trend Initiative for Education. In the Philippines, among the ISKF initiatives include the “What’s Your Story?” Art Caravan, an annual art competition, which is aimed at raising awareness about Internet safety among kids and families through digital and traditional art.