Leonardo- Cyber & Security Business Area_2.0
Leonardo is committed to closing the cybersecurity skills and talent gap in the European Union. We pledge to raise awareness activities and offer training to 1200 students, new graduates and professionals by November of 2024.
Our pledge
In 2023, recognizing this pressing challenge, Leonardo has undertaken a commitment to tackle cybersecurity skills by: delivering direct cybersecurity foundation training, promoting complex and engaging cyber exercise in team, enhancing visibility and raising cyber security awareness between consolidated professionals and young minds, fostering synergies between public and private cybersecurity skill initiatives mainly setting collaborations and placing significant importance on the partnerships it has nurtured with a diverse range of top-level national and international universities and National Competence Centers.
In 2024, Leonardo continues to uphold this commitment.
Our initiatives
Title: Cyber X Mind4Future
Description: In 2022/2023, Leonardo and CYBER 4.0 collaborated on the Cyber X Mind4Future programme to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity skills. Around 300 students from eight universities participated in 15 hours of workshops and realistic simulations to deepen their understanding of cybersecurity challenges. The top 10 students were awarded scholarships to support their pursuit of excellence in the field. Building on this success, Leonardo will host the programme again (Q4 of 2024), ensuring that students are equipped with essential skills to combat emerging cyber threats.
Target audience: 400 students
Location: Italy. The training sessions will adopt a hybrid format, featuring both online and on-site components, whereas the cyber game sessions will take place on site.
Languages: English
Cost: Free
Link to the initiative: upcoming in the next months
Title: SheCode - Software School
Description: This program aims to train and support 20 junior software developers. Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, the Software School initiative offers a 220-hour blended course designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to excel in software developers’ roles. By providing a supportive learning environment and tailored resources, the initiative seeks to break down barriers and empower women to pursue fulfilling careers in technology.
Target audience: 20 junior software developers
Location: Italy. The training sessions will adopt a hybrid format, featuring both online and on-site components.
Languages: Italian
Cost: Free
Title: Technical seminars
Description: Leonardo offers a series of technical seminars tailored specifically for students in the latter years of university (focus on Engineering careers). These seminars are designed to complement students' academic curriculum, providing them with valuable industry insights, practical knowledge, and exposure to technologies relevant to their fields of study. Led by industry experts and professionals with extensive experience, these seminars delve into real practical use cases, enhancing students' ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios and fostering experiential learning and problem-solving abilities. In addition to technical knowledge, the seminars offer insights into career development, industry trends, emerging technologies, and market demands. Students gain a deeper understanding of the practical applications of their academic studies and receive valuable guidance on navigating the transition from academia to the professional world.
Target audience: 70 students per seminar
Language: English
Location: Italy. University premises
Cost: Free
Link to the initiative: each university sponsors the initiatives on its individual website and disseminates the output of the technical seminar through its own online platform.
Title: Webinars On Secure Digitisation
Description: Leonardo places significant importance on the partnerships it has nurtured with a diverse range of top-level national and international universities and National Competence Centers such as Start 4.0. Coming from various experiences of collaboration such as Cybergame in 2021, Capture The Flag ''Hunt The Threat'' in 2022, Cybershield The Riot in 2023 aimed at disseminating Cyber Security culture, Leonardo supports the Competence Centre in organizing free webinars on the new European regulatory framework for secure digitisation. An opportunity to learn more about data protection and legal compliance to improve business competitiveness. The webinars offer updates on technological innovations and security practices, to protect consumer rights in harmony with new European regulations.
Target audience: 100 people per webinar
Language: Italian
Location: online
Cost: Free
Leonardo is dedicated to reviewing and updating the status of this pledge every six months.
Background
Leonardo acknowledged the necessity for taking a more proactive stance toward cybersecurity education and training.
The transition from the Cyber & Security Academy to the Leonardo Cyber Security Training Center marks a noteworthy achievement in bolstering cybersecurity capacities throughout Europe.
This transformation represents the next step in the commitment we have undertaken to tackling the cybersecurity challenge head-on, while also adapting to the dynamic needs of the industry and geopolitical landscape.
Central to the mission of the Cyber Security Training Center is the provision of highly specialized training on cyber resilience for cybersecurity professionals. Drawing upon Leonardo's extensive expertise in critical civil and military domains, as well as cross-domain competencies within our organisation, the Cyber Security Training Center endeavors to equip cybersecurity professionals with the advanced skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complex cyber landscape.
Update on Pledge milestone
Leonardo successfully completed their pledge, surpassing their target by reaching 1,269 learners—106% of their original goal of 1,200.
Take a look at Leonardo's previous pledge to see their dedicated efforts in advancing cybersecurity.
