Algonquin College and Field Effect partner to transform cybersecurity education

Posted on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

OTTAWA (September 7, 2023) — Algonquin College and Field Effect, a global cybersecurity solutions and services provider, are excited to announce they’ve formed a strategic partnership to transform cybersecurity education.

Core to the partnership is Field Effect’s Cyber Range, the company’s purpose-built cybersecurity educational platform. From training and simulation to testing, the platform’s interactive controls replicate real-life networks in a controlled virtual environment, while its course and simulations library empowers users to evolve from junior practitioners to expert security operators.

“Our strategic plan speaks to making sure our educators have the necessary tools, systems, facilities, and support to create and deliver high-quality experiences,” said Algonquin College President & CEO, Claude Brulé. “This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to fostering innovation, driving growth, and positioning our college at the forefront of industry-aligned, cutting-edge education.”

Algonquin College is taking advantage of Field Effect’s academic offer. The on-premises license for Cyber Range represents an in-kind contribution of $2M from Field Effect over three years.

“We are thrilled about the positive impacts this partnership will have on the cybersecurity education landscape,” said Matt Holland, CEO and co-founder of Field Effect. “Together, we will prepare cybersecurity students with the hands-on training they need to enter the workforce with confidence, while also arming today’s security professionals with the tools and skills they need to excel.”

This collaboration bolsters the college’s cyber program and establishes Cyber Range as the nucleus of a cybersecurity network, driving growth, innovation, and sustainability.

“The partnership with Field Effect opens doors to different opportunities for Algonquin College,” said Mark Savenkoff, Vice-President, Advancement & Strategy. “This strategic alliance offers an approach that aligns education with industry demands and empowers us to not only enhance our educational offerings but also drive financial responsibility through strategic alliances.”

Algonquin College will additionally leverage Field Effect’s technology to create, own, and monetize tailor-made course content, fostering customization and enhanced industry engagement.

Field Effect’s commitment to the partnership with Algonquin College stems from its recognition of the shared challenge of the cybersecurity skills gap. With its rapid growth and expertise in the cybersecurity sector, Field Effect aims to bridge the talent shortage by collaborating with educational institutions like Algonquin College to cultivate the next generation of cyber professionals.

Furthermore, this partnership with Field Effect positions Algonquin College to tap into multiple growth opportunities, including:

Funding: Canada’s cybersecurity skills gap is yielding funding prospects for educational institutions. Field Effect will support Algonquin in developing Cyber Range training initiatives to access funding such as increasing program capacity, diversifying the cyber workforce, and retraining individuals for high-demand cyber roles.

Industry-Aligned Programs: Algonquin College will offer industry-sponsored micro credentials and bootcamps, fostering work-integrated learning that precisely meets industry needs. The adaptability of Cyber Range enables hands-on learning aligned with industry tools, ensuring graduates are job ready.

Content Revenue: As Field Effect builds a content marketplace, Algonquin College can contribute and generate revenue through content shared with other institutions. Collaborative content-sharing strategies can expand curriculum access across borders.

Cyber Exercises: Algonquin College can engage local businesses and government bodies by offering simulated cyberattack response readiness exercises on Cyber Range. This creates both educational value and revenue-generating opportunities.

Security Vendor Sponsorships: Customizable demonstrations of security tools within Cyber Range can attract sponsorships from security vendors, benefitting both students and partners.

“I am thrilled about our partnership with Field Effect. This collaboration allows us to transcend traditional teaching methods and immerse our students in real-world cybersecurity scenarios through Cyber Range,” said John Dallas, Academic Chair, Information and Communications Technology, Security & Systems Networking at Algonquin College. “Our ability to create, customize, and own course content allows us to nurture the next generation of cyber professionals with skills that are not just theoretical, but practical and industry relevant.”


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