Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), in collaboration with the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) has launched globally recognized professional courses in IT Security, in a bid to address some of the major loopholes in the current IT industry in Kenya.
According to the report, “A Human Capital Crisis in Cybersecurity”, released in November 2010 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a critical element of a robust cybersecurity strategy is having the right people at every level to identify, build and staff the defenses and responses of IT networks and infrastructures.The report by CSIS, which mainly assesses the status of cybersecurity in the US. It cites availability of approximately 1,000 skilled specialists in US currently, against an ideal requirement of 30,000 – 40,000 specialists. This shortage of skilled manpower is even more dire in Kenya where most IT graduates only learn IT security as a unit in class, most often with minimal hands on skills. There is need therefore for corporates as well as government to adequately train and equip these so called cyber-defenders with cutting edge technological skills.Some of the EC Council certifications to be offered at KeMU include the globally popular and successful Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), ECCouncil Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP), EC Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA),Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA), among many others that cater for a wide range of security perspectives.Prof. Alfred Mutema, the Vice Chancellor of KeMU said KeMU plans to not only offer these certifications at the professional level but also to integrate them into the IT curriculum for its students at the University. This will give students; an understanding of the theoretical basis of security science; a well-grounded foundation in professional standards of security analysis, design and implementation before they graduate and enter the industry; advanced security education topics based on job function and skills set (technical expertise, content resource management and business process management); global recognition; internationally recognized certifications together with their degree.Further, Mr. R. Balamurgan of Simos Consultancy, Authorized Distributor of EC Council EastAfrica and who is working closely with KeMU in this initiative said that the students as well as other external trainees will get the latest contents and will be kept up to date with the latest security threats, join in discussions, forums and a host of other features from the EC Council portal. Trainees will also be able to participate in the highly skilled and respected Hacker Halted Conferences that are held several times a year in various parts of the globe.EC-Council's cutting edge programmes cover everything from the basics of computer and network security to high-end techniques used in defending critical infrastructure and top secret government networks. These certifications are recognized by the US National Security Agency Committee On National Security Standards at every level. Specifically, the Certified EthicalHacker (CEH) is a premier certification option for US Cyber Defenders, recognized by the US Department of Defense as well as other governments across the globe.EC Council is a member-supported professional organization whose purpose is to support and enhance the role of individuals and organizations who design, create, manage or market Security and E-Business solutions.KeMU becomes the first University in Kenya and in the region to introduce this type of professional courses in IT security and will definitely fill a critical gap in the ever-expanding Kenyan ICT industry, which is the foundation of Vision 2030. Training on CEHv7 will be available at KeMU and the first intake is scheduled for April 2011 at the KeMU Nairobi Campus.