RIYADH — Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) and Trend Micro, the global leader in cybersecurity solutions, have signed a breakthrough agreement at GITEX 2018 in Dubai.

NAUSS students will now benefit from Trend Micro’s industry leading content and research on cybersecurity, which will be made available as a course material for university students.

NAUSS was established in 1980 as part of an Arab resolution to form the first Arab university specialized in graduate studies, research and training in all areas of security in its most comprehensive sense, and was graciously hosted by Saudi Arabia.

As part of the memorandum of understanding, NAUSS will work with Trend Micro in connection with the review and development of its network security, cybersecurity, or related course contents. Trend Micro will also go on to provide its expertise, advice and commercial experience as part of this significant MOU.

NAUSS is currently in a transformation process that concentrates on delivering a highly specialized courses/programs that tackle security related challenges in the KSA and the Arab world. Trend Micro content will assist NAUSS engage with its academic partners and the general public, and further assist in the university’s community and other wider education purposes.

“As a university for security sciences, our academic work has to go beyond just producing graduates. We have to help the cybersecurity industry establish a skilled and dedicated local-based talent pool. The security landscape is changing at a phenomenal pace, and we must help our student stay on top of this change. Working with an industry leader like Trend Micro, we can now give our students course materials that will help them in the real world. Trend Micro has excellent content, not to mention in-depth knowledge that can help define our students, and get them prepared for lasting, and rewarding careers,” commented Dr. Fahad Al-Harby, supervisor of strategic projects specialized in cybersecurity and digital investigation at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences.

Trend Micro shall contribute its expertise, case knowledge and broad commercial experience to ensure that the course contents for the project are co-developed in a way that is industry relevant, accurate and up to date.

NAUSS shall contribute its expertise and experience in the tertiary education sector, thus ensuring that the course is developed in a manner accustomed to the high standards of the university.

“We have to work with leading universities across the region like NAUSS to help fill the void of first-rate security professional in the region. As digital transformation shapes the future of this region, these students will be in the frontline of the cybersecurity industry, and the only way we can make sure that they are well educated and prepared, is by working with universities like NAUSS. We have the material and industry knowledge to provide the right material, and we know that NAUSS will help deliver and impart this knowledge in the best possible way to the students,” said Dr. Moataz Bin Ali, VP for Trend Micro Middle East and North Africa. — SG

Breakthrough agreement to support cybersecurity research