NEWS
Cisco Networking Academy
helps narrow the IT skills gap
David Meads, Vice
President, Middle East
and Africa, at Cisco
Report reveals
cybercriminals
targeting Oman
N
ew research from Trend Micro has
revealed that Oman has been a target
for cybercriminals. According to a report by
cybersecurity vendor Trend Micro, ransomware
remains a widespread threat in Oman. In
the first quarter of 2018 there were 534,806
ransomware attacks aimed at the country.
The security vendor reported a spike in the
number of malwares detected in the first
quarter of the year with Oman suffering
161,055 malware threats.
An uptrend in online banking malware was
reflected in the Trend Micro report with
Oman getting 43 attacks.
Figures for macro malware for the same
period in Oman is seven attacks. A worrying
concern for Trend Micro is the increasing
number of malicious URL victims. Oman
registered 83,388 detections in the first
quarter of 2018. For malicious URLs detected
in the GCC, Trend Micro reported there were
37 in Oman.
C
isco has been honoured for narrowing
the IT skills gap in 14 countries in the
Middle East including Oman.
As recognition of its contribution to
narrowing the IT skills gap in the region,
Cisco Networking Academy was honoured
with two industry awards for the ‘Network
Training Provider of the Year’ and the
‘Training Provider of the Year’.
With over 520 active academies across
the Middle East, more than 55,000 active
students, close to 1,200 instructors, Cisco
Networking Academy has been helping
fill the regional demand for skilled ICT
professionals for over 20 years.
“Cisco is committed to support the
innovation, talent and entrepreneurship
16
INTELLIGENTCIO
ecosystem in the Middle East and
contribute to the knowledge economy,”
says David Meads, Vice President, Middle
East and Africa, at Cisco.
Cherif Djerboua, Regional Tech Leader,
Trend Micro AMEA, said: “As GCC economies
shift to digital, securing the cyberspace
becomes all the more paramount as there
is an increasing risk of calculated and
premeditated cyberattacks. What we are
witnessing now in the Gulf is a long-term
transformation and stakeholders ought
to regard security as a key infrastructure
necessary for a Smart City to thrive.”
“The skills gap, particularly in the ICT field,
continues to be a top government priority
and this is where Cisco Networking
Academy is making a significant impact
by developing local talent.
“We work closely with local schools,
universities and government organisations.
“The education Cisco Networking
Academy has the power to change
people’s lives, elevate careers, and
transform communities. We have trained
over 295,000 students in the Middle East
over the last 20 years.”
Cherif Djerboua, Regional Tech Leader,
Trend Micro AMEA
www.intelligentcio.com