Fortinet offers free cybersecurity curriculum to U.S. high schools

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) announced the launch of a no-cost Technical High School Cybersecurity Curriculum for U.S. secondary schools, available through its Security Awareness and Training Service, according to a company press release.

The curriculum is structured as two year-long courses, each designed to take approximately 180 school days, or 145 hours, to complete. The first course, Cybersecurity 1: Foundations, introduces core cybersecurity concepts and career awareness. The second, Cybersecurity 2: Fundamentals, covers advanced technical skills and is designed to bridge toward industry-standard certifications.

The program includes ready-to-use lesson plans and modular instructional materials intended to reduce preparation requirements for educators, including those without a deep cybersecurity background. Topics covered span networking, cryptography, endpoint security, application security, risk management, and cyber defense.

"Closing the cybersecurity skills gap starts in the classroom, long before a student enters the workforce," said Melonia da Gama, Director of Training and Learning Programs at the Fortinet Training Institute. "This launch reflects our commitment to making cybersecurity education accessible to every school, and more importantly, every student, regardless of existing resources."

Chicago Public Schools is among the early districts exploring the curriculum as part of its existing cybersecurity pathway, which includes the College Board's AP cybersecurity course. The district is participating in an early pilot to evaluate the material.

"Chicago Public Schools is committed to preparing students for high-demand careers in cybersecurity through rigorous, industry-aligned learning experiences," said Daniel Patterson, High School Computer Science Manager for Chicago Public Schools. "Participating in an early pilot provides an opportunity for our educators to evaluate the curriculum, provide meaningful feedback, and help shape high-quality instructional resources."

The curriculum is accessible to Career and Technical Education leaders, district technology coordinators, and classroom teachers across the United States.

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