NASSCOM, Symantec launch cyber security courseware for women

NEW DELHI: The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) along with Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and leading security software company Symantec launched the National Occupational Standards for ten cyber security job roles with the corresponding Qualification Packs (QP) in line with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). Several other organizations across IT/ITeS, Financial services and Consultancy Advisory services have provided necessary feedback and guidance to define the ten new job roles and Qualification Packs (QPs).

The press release indicated that the event was conducted in the presence of senior functionaries across government, industry and academia, and witnessed the felicitation of women, on their way to becoming certified cyber security professionals.

With an objective of providing cyber security skills training and certification to women professionals in India, Symantec has also instituted scholarships to 1,000 women undertaking the cyber security certification by SSC NASSCOM. Last year, the organizations had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the launch of Cyber Security Skill Development Initiative.

Talking about Symantec’s on-going association with NASSCOM, Sanjay Rohatgi, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific and Japan, Symantec said, “Building the next generation of cyber professionals is key to securing India’s critical information infrastructure, battling cybercrime and making the ‘Digital India’ initiative successful. As the global leader in cyber security, Symantec partners closely with governments and law enforcement agencies around the world. Leading on from our commitment in 2015, we continue to work closely with NASSCOM to build a cadre of world class, skilled and certified cyber security professionals in India, with a special focus on youth and women.”

R Chandrashekhar, President, NASSCOM, speaking on the occasion said, “This initiative has a two-pronged approach – it contributes to containing the spurt of cybercrime and also enhances the employability of the workforce. With collaborative efforts, we are glad to announce the launch of ten QPs & the courseware for QP Analyst - Application Security, which is the collective effort of the industry and is going to be a landmark in empowering women while fighting a major issue like cybercrime.”

Explaining further, the release said that the launch of the ten new qualification packs/job roles focuses on streamlining the cyber security skills development initiative, and also enhances the relevance and standards for talent development in the cyber Security community within India.