Palo Alto Networks launches free cyber education in NZ

Palo Alto Networks has announced the extension of its CyberFit Nation programme to New Zealand, offering free online cybersecurity education and digital safety courses.

This initiative comes in response to the rising cybercrime incidents in the country. The National Cyber Security Centre reported that New Zealanders lost NZD $6.8 million due to cybercrime in the second quarter of 2024, with the cost of incidents involving unauthorised access reaching NZD $3.6 million.

CyberFit Nation aims to make cybersecurity education accessible for everyone. It provides an array of masterclasses and clinics for different audiences, such as board directors, startups, SMEs, workplace professionals, and school children. The programme also offers face-to-face sessions through industry partnerships when required.

The educational content is conveyed via a series of webinars available on demand. Additional resources are also offered on the CyberFit Nation website for organisations and individuals.

The educational sessions are diverse, targeting various needs:

The Board of Directors Cybersecurity Masterclass is focused on board members, directors, and C-level executives, helping them understand the new requirements under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018. This course aims to enhance directors' skills in cybersecurity risk management.

Enterprise and government entities, which need to quickly adapt their security strategies, can attend an online workshop designed to uplift cybersecurity programs and strengthen resilience against cyber threats.

For SMEs and startups, online workshops provide pragmatic strategies to help owners, operators, and managers mitigate cybersecurity risks.

Cyber Safe Kids for Parents & Children is a 30-minute interactive session designed for children aged five to ten, teaching them practical skills for digital safety and good digital citizenship.

Misti Landtroop, Managing Director for Palo Alto Networks New Zealand, stated: "As technologies advance and cyber threats become more sophisticated, we aim to empower New Zealanders with the skills to stay safe online."

She further mentioned, "Digital connectivity comes with its risks and vulnerabilities, and our National Cyber Security Centre stated the most commonly reported incidents are phishing and credential harvesting. In response, our CyberFit Nation programme is free and accessible from anywhere, designed to close knowledge gaps so that everyone has the power to be digitally safe. Workshops are tailored to suit everyone from board directors to school children, enhancing the cyber safety and security skills of all New Zealanders is critical to adapting to the rapidly changing digital landscape," she finished.

This expansion of CyberFit Nation follows a recent partnership between Palo Alto Networks and Network for Learning (N4L). This collaboration focuses on delivering Managed Network services to schools and Kura across New Zealand, with Palo Alto Networks providing on-premise firewalls and advanced cybersecurity and web filtering services to better support schools' evolving digital needs.