Fortinet Launches Free Cybersecurity Curriculum for High Schools — Fortinet, Inc.

Event summary

Fortinet's Training Institute launched a free two-year cybersecurity curriculum for high schools on August 31, 2026.
The curriculum consists of two year-long courses: 'Cybersecurity 1: Foundations' and 'Cybersecurity 2: Fundamentals'.
Chicago Public Schools is among the early districts exploring the curriculum as a foundational resource.
The program aims to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap by providing accessible education to students nationwide.

The big picture

Fortinet's initiative addresses the critical need for early cybersecurity education, aligning with broader industry efforts to build a skilled workforce. By providing free, standards-aligned curriculum, Fortinet aims to democratize access to cybersecurity training, potentially influencing future workforce trends and educational standards. The collaboration with Chicago Public Schools highlights the growing demand for such programs in aligning education with workforce needs.

What we're watching

Adoption Pace: The pace at which school districts will adopt the curriculum and integrate it into their existing programs.
Impact on Skills Gap: How effective the curriculum will be in narrowing the cybersecurity skills gap over the next few years.
Certification Alignment: Whether the curriculum will successfully bridge students to industry-standard cybersecurity certifications.