Page 35 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

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Cisco Partners with the Saudi Federation for Cyber Security, Programming
and Drones to Enhance Digital Skills in the Kingdom

Cisco has announced a strategic
partnership with the Saudi Federation for
Cyber Security, Programming and Drones
(SAFCSP), to develop the digital skills of
8,000 trainers in the fields of cybersecurity
and programming via the Cisco Networking
Academy (NetAcad). In Saudi Arabia, the
Cisco NetAcad program has one of the
highest female student participation rates
globally, reaching 32% - a number which
Cisco is keen to continue growing. Of the
8,000 participants being trained via Cisco
and SAFCSP’s new initiative, through a
combination of online and on-site courses,
the duo will be training and upskilling more Academy and CyberHub were founded towards the growth and success of several
than 1,000 women. As part of the skills by SAFCSP under the umbrella of the industries. Cisco continues to be a key
building agenda, Cisco will develop the Saudi Olympic Committee, which strives enabler of digital transformation in the
competencies of SAFCSP’s trainers, looking to build local professional capabilities in Kingdom and through our partnership
to gain further expertise in digitization and digital transformation – specifically in the with SAFCSP, we will further contribute
cybersecurity essentials, including Cisco fields of cybersecurity and programming. towards the agenda of futureproofing job
DevNet and Python qualifications. SAFCSP The program is founded on the pillars roles and aiding the transition towards a
trainers will also meet with experts of inspiration, empowerment and more digitally-focused economy.” Since
from Cisco via coaching sessions in sustainability, and aims to achieve the goal openings its doors to the world in 1997,
cybersecurity. Building on a memorandum of having one programmer among every the Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad)
of understanding (MoU) signed in 2018 to 100 Saudi nationals by 2030. Commenting has served as a platform to train, upskill
develop cybersecurity and programming on the partnership, Salman Abdulghani and develop human capital – aiding
skills, the collaborative partnership will see Faqeeh, Managing Director, Saudi Arabia at the transition towards more digitally-
Cisco and SAFCSP leverage their industry- Cisco said, “With a tech-savvy population focused economies. In Saudi Arabia, the
renowned upskilling initiatives to enhance and the national agenda putting program was first introduced in 2000
the digital capabilities of Tuwaiq Academy, investments in infrastructure and talent and to date, it has trained over 140,000
Saudi Arabia’s first advanced technology development at the forefront, Saudi Arabia students. Today, there are 106 active
academy, and CyberHub, a platform for is ensuring that digital transformation networking academies in the Kingdom
Saudi-based students interested in gaining and upskilling remains a vital contributor and over 450 academic instructors.
cybersecurity competencies. Both Tuwaiq

Eutelsat and Vox Sign Distribution Agreement for
EUTELSAT KONNECT Capacity Over South Africa

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: service to further grow its satellite cus- a growing number of customers”. Philippe
ETL) and Vox, a market leading end-to-end tomer base. Commenting on the agree- Oliva, Chief Commercial Officer of Eutel-
integrated ICT and infrastructure provider ment, Jacques Visser, Head of Wireless sat added: “We are pleased to be selected
and telecommunications company, have at Vox said: “We are delighted to be part- by Vox to enhance and extend its offer of
reached a multi-year distribution agree- nering with Eutelsat to provide solutions high quality, reliable internet connectivity
ment to extend high-speed network con- that connect South Africans by supporting in South Africa’s digital divide. This agree-
nectivity to South Africa. As of June, Vox customers, entrepreneurs, and commerce, ment cements our position as the leading
will leverage the unmatched operational whilst guaranteeing service excellence. We satellite broadband operator in the country
flexibility and power of EUTELSAT KON- are confident that Eutelsat’s unparalleled and reflects the attractivity of our EUTEL-
NECT, the new-generation high throughput in-orbit assets, together with its unrivalled SAT KONNECT satellite in the region”.
satellite, and Eutelsat’s market-leading customer support will be a great benefit to

35 JUN-AUG 2021