PwC’s Academy partners with EC Council to boost cybersecurity in the Middle East May 2022

This originally appeared on the EC Council website - DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 5, 2022

EC-Council, a global leader in cybersecurity education, has partnered with PwC’s Academy, the talent and skills development business of PwC Middle East, to educate new and existing cybersecurity professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This partnership is designed to teach ethical hacking and threat prevention through EC-Council’s training and certification materials.

The business infrastructure in the UAE is highly dependent upon the success and connectivity of its digital security. With the implementation of personal freedoms coupled with an increase in economic vulnerability, it is imperative that the global business community not only prepare for cybersecurity disruptions and threats but adopt a more proactive strategy by empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report for 2022 ranked cybersecurity failure among the top five risks in the UAE. According to the report, 85% of the World Economic Forum’s cybersecurity leadership community feels that ransomware is becoming a dangerously growing threat and presents a major public safety concern. This celebrated venture will not only allow PwC the opportunity to suggest necessary courses tailored to contemporary industry standards but will also guide interested cybersecurity enthusiasts through an established curriculum that will be fully accessible though PwC’s online academy.

“There are no safe havens today,” says Jay Bavisi, President and CEO of EC-Council. “In a digitally reliant environment, cyberattacks are an unfortunate reality. We hope that EC-Council’s partnership with PwC will transform the cybersecurity landscape in the Middle East and help build the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.”

“According to PwC’s 25th Global CEO Survey, cyberthreats continue to be on top of the Middle East CEOs’ risk agenda, with 59% of Middle East CEOs saying that cyber risks are likely to have a negative impact on their company in the next 12 months,” says Amanda Line, PwC Partner and PwC Academy Leader. “Our partnership with EC-Council takes us a step further in helping our clients find a solution to one of their most pressing challenges of today and in preparing their cyber leaders of tomorrow.”

Cybersecurity today is not a choice but a necessity. The constant barrage of cyberattacks can cripple critical infrastructures and jeopardize sensitive information while causing insurmountable economic loss.