EDITORIAL DESK
Check Point Software Technologies Expands SecureAcademy™ Program to Eight Leading Universities in India
Bangalore, April 2026 : Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a pioneer and global leader of cyber security solutions, today announced the expansion of its SecureAcademy™ educational program to six leading universities in India, providing students across multiple departments including engineering, law, and other specialized faculties with hands-on cyber security training and globally recognized certificationsThe participating universities includeDayananda Sagar University (DSU) along with its constituent colleges of engineering, technology and management (DSCE, DASTAM)ShriDevi Institute of Engineering and Sciences (SIET)Shri Siddhartha Institute of Technology – (SSIT)Lovely Professional University, Punjab.BNM Institute of Technology (BNMIT)BMS Group (BMS College of Engineering and BMS Institute of Technology and Management)Jain UniversityDr. D.Y. Patil College of EngineeringThrough this initiative, students will gain access to Check Point certification courses focusing primarily on CCSA (Check Point Certified Security Administrator) and CCSE (Check Point Certified Security Expert). A distinctive feature of this collaboration is that Check Point local TAC (Technical Assistance Center) experts will lead the in-person instruction, ensuring students receive up-to-date, localized insights into cyber security trends. Three TAC experts are already committed to conducting sessions at least three times a week at these prestigious institutes of higher learning.This initiative is delivered as part of Check Point Services, which provides a comprehensive portfolio spanning professional services, training and certification programs, and managed security services. By combining expert-led instruction with real-world security expertise and research-driven insights, Check Point Services ensures that educational programs like SecureAcademy™ are aligned with the latest threat landscape and industry requirements, preparing students not just to learn cyber security, but to apply it in real operational environments.In India, this program will consist of hands-on labs, self-paced online content, workshops, guest lectures and certifications, giving these students across engineering, law, and other faculties practical exposure to real-world cyber security scenarios. The training program spans one week, comprising 40 hours of theoretical instruction and an additional 10 hours of lab sessions conducted by a subject matter expert. Participants also receive an 85 percent discount on certification exams, access to software licenses, eBooks, virtual SecureAcademy™ events, and a train-the-trainer program for faculty.Approximately 200 to 300 students are expected to benefit in the first phase, with the program already underway since Monday, 9 February 2026. As part of this collaboration, Check Point is planning an internship program, providing students with opportunities for mentorship, industry networking, and real-world exposure, with around 15 interns expected to be onboarded in 2026 from these institutions. India is facing a critical cyber security skills shortage, with demand for professionals surging sevenfold in the past year, ranking the country second globally in workforce deficit. Organizations are also grappling with rising cyber threats, with Indian entities facing an average of 3,104 cyberattacks per week, nearly double the global average of 1,959. This underscores the urgent need for hands-on, industry-aligned training.At the same time, India’s technology workforce is undergoing a structural reset. The rapid adoption of AI has already led to job losses across traditional IT roles, as routine coding, testing and support tasks become increasingly automated. While this shift is reshaping employment across the sector, it is also accelerating demand for new, specialised roles—particularly in cyber security—where human expertise, risk analysis and real?world judgement remain essential to securing AI?driven systems at scale“In India, the demand for cyber security skills is growing rapidly, yet the talent gap remains severe. This transition of traditional job roles to roles with specialised skills like in cyber security signals a move away from volume?driven IT jobs toward higher?value, security?critical roles, reinforcing the importance of reskilling programmes that prepare India’s workforce for an AI?first but security?dependent future,”said Sundar Balasubramanian, Managing Director, Check Point Software Technologies, India and South Asia. “Through SecureAcademy™, we are equipping students across multiple departments and universities with hands-on, industry-relevant skills. This initiative ensures that the next generation of cyber defenders is prepared to meet the real-world challenges of a rapidly digitalizing India, strengthening the foundation for a secure Digital India.”Dr Girish L, Director, Placement and Training, ShriDevi Institute of Engineering and Science, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with the Check Point SecureAcademy program to equip students with cutting-edge skills in network and cloud security, aligning academic learning with industry standards and preparing them for real-world challenges. The training programs, including Network Security, Cloud Security, and CCSA, have been highly beneficial. The recent intensive hands-on training with the expert team significantly enhanced students’ practical knowledge and confidence. We believe such initiatives will continue to strengthen employability and contribute meaningfully to the cyber security ecosystem.”Dr. Sagargouda Patil, Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, BMS Institute of Technology and Management, said, “Our partnership with Check Point SecureAcademy allows us to bring globally recognized cyber security expertise into our academic ecosystem. By offering exposure to industry-aligned tools, certifications like CCSA, and real-world practices, we are enabling students to build in-demand skills while reinforcing our focus on delivering relevant, future-focused education.”Dr. T S Bharath, Associate Professor, Dept. Of Computer Science and Engineering, SSIT, said, “Our collaboration with Check Point Software Technologies through its SecureAcademy program stems from its strong global reputation in cyber security and a curriculum aligned with real-world industry demands. This partnership equips students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience through industry-standard tools and certifications like CCSA. By introducing ‘Cyber security Essentials with Check Point Technologies,’ we are building a strong foundation in network security, cloud security, and threat prevention enhancing employability and readiness for evolving cyber challenges. This partnership reinforces our commitment to being future-ready and industry-aligned, while empowering students with the skills needed to succeed in a critical and fast-growing domain”Rashmi K.B, Assistant Professor, Dept. of ISE, BMS College of Engineering, said, “We are pleased to partner with Check Point SecureAcademy to integrate structured, hands-on cyber security learning into our academic framework. The program, with its focus on practical exposure, current technologies, and industry-recognized certifications, enables students to graduate with stronger competencies while reinforcing our commitment to career-oriented, future-ready education.”Harkant Singh, Head of TAC, Check Point Software Technologies APAC, said, “We initiated the SecureAcademy program with a clear vision to build a future-ready cyber security talent pipeline through strong university collaboration and long-term partnerships. It is encouraging to see the internship program already underway, with the top 22 candidates selected through a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation led by Check Point experts. As we move into Phase 2, we look forward to scaling the program further and deepening its impact across institutions.”The program marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s cyber security education ecosystem. By combining Check Point’s industry expertise with the academic excellence of these six universities, the initiative not only benefits enrolled students but also contributes to building a larger pool of skilled cyber security professionals. This collaboration reaffirms the shared vision of both organizations to strengthen India’s digital resilience and future workforce.About Check Point SecureAcademyCheck Point SecureAcademy™ (https://www.checkpoint.com/mind/secureacademy/) offers global cyber security education through collaborations with higher education institutions and non-profit organizations, providing them with a $60,000 valued grant. Our partnerships prepare students with essential technological skills crucial for securing our digital future. SecureAcademy is an integral component of Check Point Services, which delivers comprehensive, end-to-end cyber security solutions tailored to meet the unique security needs of organizations. These solutions enhance defense capabilities, optimize threat response, and elevate overall cyber security resilience.About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a global cyber security leader protecting more than 100,000 organizations worldwide. Its mission is to secure enterprises’ AI transformation. With a prevention-first approach and an open ecosystem architecture, Check Point helps organizations block advanced threats, prioritize exposures, and automate security operations across complex digital environments. The unified architecture simplifies protection across hybrid networks, multi-cloud environments, digital workspaces, and AI systems. Structured around four strategic pillars, Hybrid Mesh Network Security, Workspace Security, Exposure Management, and AI Security, Check Point delivers consistent protection and visibility across multivendor environments, enabling organizations to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and accelerate innovation without increasing complexity.Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements?generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance.?Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding future growth, the expansion of Check Point’s industry leadership, the enhancement of shareholder value and the delivery of an industry-leading cyber security platform to customers worldwide. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2026. The forward-looking statements in this press release are?based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
