Cisco announced that it will implement a Korean version of the 'Virtual Internship Program (VIP)' in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Yoo Sang-im) to provide quality internship experiences to young Koreans who dream of becoming future cybersecurity experts.
Cisco Korea launched the program after specific discussions with the Ministry of Science and ICT to foster global security talent, including sending Korean cybersecurity talent to Cisco headquarters. The launch of this program came at a time when companies around the world, including Korea, are suffering from a shortage of skilled talent in the cybersecurity field.
According to the '2024 Cybersecurity Readiness Index' released by Cisco, nearly half (46%) of domestic companies are unable to fill more than 10 cybersecurity-related positions. In fact, 89% of domestic companies cited the lack of talent as a problem, saying it is an obstacle to the advancement of cybersecurity.
Cisco VIP is an innovative internship model that addresses this cybersecurity talent gap and provides online training opportunities for more talented individuals to build careers in cybersecurity. It is part of Cisco’s National Digital Transformation Assistance Program (CDA).
'Cisco VIP 2025' will provide an internship completion certificate to approximately 30 college and high school students who dream of becoming future cybersecurity experts after a 5-week learning period and a 3-week project period from January to March 2025.
By utilizing the platform of 'Cisco Networking Academy (www.netacad.com)', which is Cisco's representative social contribution education program, we plan to provide various types of learning and practical experiences such as online learning, special lectures by Cisco's cybersecurity experts, lab training at the Cisco-Kwangwoon University Innovation Center, and expert mentoring.
After evaluating the results of this first program, Cisco will consider expanding the number of participants in the program in the future. VIP provides free world-class cybersecurity education and practical training opportunities to domestic students who dream of becoming cybersecurity experts every year, and is expected to become a representative model of cooperation between the Korean government and companies to foster talent.
Cisco is continuously contributing to the government's policy goals by participating in the government's digital talent development initiative through the VIP program. Cisco is a member of the public-private 'Digital Talent Alliance' and is actively participating as the only foreign company selected as an operating committee member. In addition, at the 'AI Seoul Summit' held in May 2024, it signed the 'Seoul AI Corporate Pledge', which promised responsible AI development and utilization by major domestic and foreign companies, as the 15th.
Cisco Korea CEO Jihee Choi said, “Cisco’s virtual internship program, which is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and ICT, is expected to be an exemplary case in which global companies like Cisco doing business in Korea actively contribute to the expansion of ICT technology and talent in Korea as partners in growing together with Korea.”
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