Fortinet and National Australia Bank Host Cyber Codefest 2024 to Strengthen Cybersecurity Skills Among TAFE and University Students

Cyber Codefest gives students the opportunity to learn from and network with cybersecurity leaders 

MELBOURNE, Australia, October 29, 2024 

Dale Nachman, country manager, Australia, at Fortinet  

“Fortinet is proud to support the further development of cybersecurity professionals through initiatives like Cyber Codefest 2024. This event gives TAFE and university students the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to practical challenges in a fun and safe environment while also learning from industry experts. Fortinet is working to equip the next generation of cyber experts with the skills and insights they need to succeed in the cybersecurity field and partnering with leading organisations like National Australia Bank is key to achieving this.” 

News Summary  

Fortinet®, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, has partnered with National Australia Bank (NAB) to host the third annual Cyber Codefest at Fortress Melbourne, during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This event demonstrates Fortinet and NAB’s shared commitment to closing the cybersecurity skills gap, nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, and building a more secure future for Australia’s digital landscape. 

More than 20 TAFE and university students from institutions, including Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Federation University Australia, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, the University of Melbourne, and Victoria University attended this year’s event. Students participated in a capture-the-flag competition, working in teams to infiltrate a network, identify vulnerabilities, and capture a final string of code.  

Cyber Codefest 2024 gave participants a hands-on experience, encouraging students to apply their cybersecurity knowledge in real-world scenarios and showcase their talent to potential employers and mentors. This year’s event also featured a presentation from Claus Tepper, executive group security platforms and operations, NAB, followed by a panel discussion with industry leaders, moderated by Cornelius Mare, chief information security officer, Fortinet. The students received valuable insights into the latest developments in cybersecurity, including the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning, current job market trends, and the wide range of opportunities available for cybersecurity graduates. Additionally, students networked with industry experts throughout, giving them an opportunity to talk with those currently practicing within the field. 

Cyber Codefest 2024 builds on Fortinet’s partnerships with academia through the Fortinet Training Institute’s Academic Partner program, which supports education institutions and schools globally with access to industry-recognised training and certification to help develop skilled security professionals. 

Event highlights: 

• Third annual Cyber Codefest held in collaboration with NAB on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm (AEDT) at Fortress Melbourne.  

• More than 20 students attended from Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Federation University Australia, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, the University of Melbourne, and Victoria University. 

• Speakers included Claus Tepper, executive group security platforms and operations, NAB, followed by a panel discussion with industry leaders. The session, moderated by Cornelius Mare, chief information security officer, Fortinet, focused on the latest developments in cybersecurity, current job market trends, and the wide range of opportunities available for cybersecurity graduates. 

Supporting quotes 

“It’s essential that leading organisations including NAB invest in building a skilled and resilient cybersecurity workforce as cyberthreats continue to evolve. Initiatives like Cyber Codefest 2024 play a crucial role in helping Australia address its cybersecurity challenges by providing hands-on experience and valuable industry connections to the next generation of cyber professionals. NAB is proud to partner with Fortinet for this fun and important event for the third time during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.”  

– Sandro Bucchianeri, chief security officer, NAB 

“The continued success of the Cyber Codefest highlights its importance in building the cybersecurity workforce of tomorrow, as students develop critical technical skills and form invaluable connections with industry leaders and peers each year. Continued investment in the next generation of talent is crucial to reinforce Australia’s cybersecurity resilience as cyberthreats increase in complexity and the skills shortage remains a critical challenge. Fortinet is proud to continue hosting this event, now in its third year, to provide students with hands-on experience and the opportunity to shape their future careers in cybersecurity.” 

– Dale Nachman, country manager, Australia, Fortinet 

About Fortinet 

Fortinet is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organisations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organisation, develops and utilises leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.