Cisco announced on the 17th that it will implement a Korean-style 'Virtual Internship Program (VIP)' in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and ICT to provide quality internship experiences for domestic youth aspiring to become future cybersecurity professionals.
Cisco Korea launched the program after concrete discussions on ways to dispatch cybersecurity talent from Korea to Cisco headquarters, among other strategies to cultivate global security talent. This program was initiated in response to the global shortage of skilled professionals in the cybersecurity field, including in Korea.
According to the '2024 Cybersecurity Preparedness Index' released by Cisco, nearly half (46%) of domestic corporations reported that they are unable to fill more than 10 job positions related to cybersecurity. In fact, 89% of domestic corporations cited the issue of talent shortages as a hindrance to the advancement of cybersecurity.
Cisco's VIP is an innovative internship model aimed at addressing the talent gap in cybersecurity and providing more individuals with online training opportunities to build careers in this field. It will be conducted as part of Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program.
'Cisco VIP 2025' will provide internship certificates after a five-week learning period and a three-week project period for about 30 college and high school students who aspire to become future cybersecurity professionals, starting from January to March 2025.
Utilizing Cisco's representative corporate social responsibility education program, the 'Cisco Networking Academy' platform will offer various types of learning and practical experiences, including online learning, special lectures by cybersecurity experts from Cisco, lab practices conducted at the Cisco-Kwangwoon University Innovation Center, and expert mentoring.
After evaluating the results of this first-phase program, Cisco plans to consider expanding the number of participants in future programs. The VIP will provide the best cybersecurity education and practical opportunities free of charge to domestic students aspiring to become cybersecurity professionals each year and is expected to become a representative model of cooperation between the Korean government and corporations for talent development.
By participating in the digital workforce training initiative promoted by the government through the VIP program, Cisco continues to contribute to achieving the government's policy goals. Cisco is a member of the public-private 'Digital Talent Alliance' and has been actively involved as the only foreign company selected as an operating committee member. In addition, Cisco was the 15th signatory of the 'Seoul AI Corporate Pledge,' in which major domestic and foreign corporations promised responsible AI development and utilization during the 'AI Seoul Summit' held in May 2024.
Choi Ji-hee, the representative of Cisco Korea, noted, "The virtual internship program by Cisco, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and ICT, is expected to become an exemplary case of a global corporation like Cisco, which is doing business in Korea, actively contributing to the expansion of ICT technology and talent in Korea as a partner growing together with the country."