Check Point Software Technologies has expanded its SecureAcademy initiative to eight more leading universities in India, aiming to address the country's growing cybersecurity skills gap. The program provides students across engineering, law, and other disciplines with hands-on cybersecurity training, certification courses, and internship opportunities.
Program Expansion Details
The company announced that approximately 200 to 300 students are expected to benefit in the first phase, which began on February 9, 2026. The expanded SecureAcademy initiative now includes Dayananda Sagar University (along with DSCE and DASTAM), ShriDevi Institute of Engineering and Sciences, Shri Siddhartha Institute of Technology, BNM Institute of Technology, BMS College of Engineering, BMS Institute of Technology and Management, Jain University, Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Engineering, and Lovely Professional University.
Training and Certification
Students at these institutions will gain access to certification courses such as Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) and Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE). The training program includes practical labs, self-paced online learning modules, workshops, guest lectures, and certification opportunities. It comprises 40 hours of theoretical instruction and 10 hours of lab sessions led by cybersecurity experts from Check Point's local Technical Assistance Center.
Additional Benefits
Students will also receive an 85% discount on certification exams, access to software licenses, eBooks, virtual SecureAcademy events, and faculty training support. The company noted that around 15 students are expected to be selected for internships in 2026.
Addressing the Cybersecurity Workforce Shortage
According to Check Point, India is currently facing a cybersecurity workforce shortage. Demand for cybersecurity professionals has increased sevenfold over the past year, while Indian organizations face an average of 3,104 cyberattacks per week, compared to the global average of 1,959. The company also highlighted that AI adoption is changing traditional IT roles, increasing demand for specialized cybersecurity professionals.
Sundar Balasubramanian, Managing Director at Check Point, stated: "In India, the demand for cybersecurity skills is growing rapidly, yet the talent gap remains severe. This transition of traditional job roles to specialized roles, such as cyber security, signals a move away from volume-driven IT jobs toward higher-value, security-critical roles, reinforcing the importance of reskilling programmes that prepare India's workforce for an AI-first but security-dependent future. Through SecureAcademy, we are equipping students across multiple departments and universities with hands-on, industry-relevant skills."
Officials from participating institutions also emphasized that the program will help students gain practical cybersecurity experience.
