HONG KONG,March 13,2025 -- Cybersecurity training in the Asia Pacific region is set to be enhanced with an agreement signed today between the APNIC Foundation and ISC2.

Selected participants in the APNIC Foundation's capacity-building programs,aimed at women and those in emerging economies,will take part in ISC2's One Million Certified in Cybersecurity program. This opportunity offers free access to the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) Online Self-Paced Training and certification exam. Earning the CC enables participants to demonstrate understanding of foundational cybersecurity concepts,benefiting both aspiring cybersecurity professionals and those in non-IT roles where a strong grasp of cybersecurity practices enhances organisational security.

The agreement commences today with a signing ceremony in Hong Kong and will last until 31 December 2028.

"Cybersecurity is a region-wide issue and threats and actors are constantly evolving. There is a need to establish cybersecurity capabilities across industries and sectors in each economy," said APNIC Foundation CEO Raj Singh.

"This partnership with ISC2 complements the APNIC Foundation's own capacity building and development programs in the region and will help build a foundation for cybersecurity knowledge and support our efforts towards secure,stable and resilient Internet infrastructure."

ISC2's aims to provide free training and exams to one million individuals globally,expanding cybersecurity expertise and improving access to cybersecurity careers. This aligns with the 'secure' element of the APNIC Foundation's vision of a global,open,stable and secure Internet that is affordable and accessible to the entire Asia Pacific community.

"As cyber threats continue to evolve across the region,building a strong foundation of cybersecurity expertise is more critical than ever," said ISC2 APAC Managing Director,Clayton Jones. "Through this partnership,we are proud to support the growth of the future cybersecurity workforce,empower individuals in cyber-adjacent roles,and contribute to a more secure digital future."

The APNIC Foundation covers 56 economies throughout the Asia Pacific and runs digital development programs that support Internet infrastructure,improve digital inclusion and build technical capacity. Notable projects include the Switch! project which supports women and gender diverse Internet industry professionals in South East Asia,and the Digital Leap South Asia project,which focuses on capacity building for Internet industry professionals in the world's most unconnected sub-region.

ISC2 is the world's leading member organisation for cybersecurity professionals,with more than 265,000 certified members and associates globally.