Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 – Palo Alto Networks (NYSE:PANW), the global cybersecurity leader, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universiti Malaysia Perlis, UniMAP to provide next-generation cybersecurity knowledge for the rapidly changing employment landscape.

Through this collaboration, Palo Alto Networks will offer its technological expertise, education resources to UniMAP to build a virtual Cybersecurity lab for students’ educational and research purposes and as well as faculty training.

Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. R Badlishah Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) said: “strategic partnership with Palo Alto Networks the leading cybersecurity company in the world to equip the next generation of students with the hands-on cybersecurity knowledge they will need to survive and thrive in the ever-changing global cyber threat landscape. Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Academy enables UNIMAP to provide advanced cybersecurity curricula and next-generation security technology. This partnership reinforces the commitment UNIMAP has to provide its students with a first-class, industry-ready education. This programme also provides a certification roadmap to a formal certification that will add significant value to a student’s résumé. This definitely will increase the employability of the UNIMAP graduate students as they are prepared with the most relevant knowledge and latest technology to be leaders in the cybersecurity field” 

Ir. Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, Director at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) who witness the MoU event said: “MDEC applaud the industry collaboration established between Universiti Malaysia Perlis or UniMAP and Palo Alto Networks towards making UniMAP an innovative world-class institute of ASEAN. 

Such an effort is in line with the recently launched Malaysia Cybersecurity Strategy (MCSS) by National Cybersecurity Agency or known as NACSA. Under the Strategic Pillar 4, Enhancing Capacity and Capability Building, Awareness and Education; the goal is to improve development capacity as well as cybersecurity skilled manpower.

Cybersecurity is a key enabler to the digital economy. As such, issues in the cybersecurity space need to be addressed. One of it being the cybersecurity talent gap faced by the industry. MDEC has been actively working with industry leaders and universities to accelerate the journey of cybersecurity talent development. Collaboration like Palo Alto Networks and UniMAP complements our initiatives in bridging the talent gap and support Malaysia’s need for 18,030 capable cybersecurity professionals by 2024.

Ir. Wan Murdani Wan Mohamad, congratulate UniMAP and Palo Alto Networks on the collaborative effort of cybersecurity talent development and look forward to an impactful outcome.”

Mr. Simon Green, President of Palo Alto Networks for JAPAC presented at the virtual MoU signing ceremony. He reiterated the importance of the Cybersecurity Academy Program. He said the collaboration with Academia helps to build the next generation professionals which reduce the talent gap in the fast-moving industry and in proacting the digital way of life for business and community in Malaysia.

Palo Alto Networks welcomes the collaboration with UniMAP in bringing the Cybersecurity knowledge and skills to the Malaysian graduates.