Exclusive Networks partners with Guardia Cybersecurity School to launch the first private cybersecurity academy in France

PARIS, FRANCE – January 17, 2022 – Exclusive Networks, a global trusted cybersecurity specialist for digital infrastructure, has announced a major partnership with Guardia Cybersecurity School (Quest Education Group), to tackle the escalating cybersecurity skills shortage. Launching in September 2022, Guardia Cybersecurity School will become the first IT school entirely dedicated to cybersecurity. With two campuses based in Lyon and Paris, the School will open its doors to students in September 2022.This exclusive partnership reaffirms Exclusive Networks position as a global cybersecurity specialist and its commitment to developing the next generation of cybersecurity talent through this new cybersecurity education institution.

Founded in 2018, Quest Education Group comprises specialised higher education schools for innovative professions and those facing talent shortages. Quest, who have a deep understanding of the mechanisms of education have chosen Exclusive Networks, a global leader in cybersecurity, to prepare its educational programme. With the selection process underway, 150 students will join this new programme in September 2022, with the choice of a 3 or 5 year programme (bachelor and MSc):

• The first two years dedicated to IT and cyber basics (with internships)
• A third year of technological pre-specialisation (alternating work-study)
• The last two years of business specialisation (alternating work-study)

To boost the students’ involvement and their future employability, the entire educational approach will be based on projects. Adapted to the reality of the market, these projects will be supervised throughout the curriculum by experienced professionals.

“As a cybersecurity specialist, it is only right that we help to nurture the cybersecurity professionals of tomorrow, not simply for the purpose of the industry itself, but in the interest of the wider public. With the creation of the first post-secondary school dedicated to cybersecurity we will be able to support and educate the talent of the future. We believe it is better to anticipate the talent shortage by finding a solution that will enhance the pool of specialised candidates upstream, rather than to suffer from this shortage of new employees and have vacant positions for months on end,” said Laurence Galland, VP HR at Exclusive Networks.

Through this partnership, Exclusive Networks are taking a proactive approach to the talent shortage in the industry and hoping to raise greater awareness of cybersecurity and accelerate recruitment in the years to come.

To do so, the agreement with Guardia Cybersecurity School is based on three pillars:

• The co-design and developmentof an educational programme adapted to future market requirements
• The delivery of this programme
• The recruitment of an international pool of students

Going beyond exclusively technical profiles, these professionals of tomorrow will be educated in both technical and business skills.

The diplomas delivered by Guardia Cybersecurity School are recognised by the French state: Level 6 (equivalent to bac+3) and Level 7 (equivalent to bac+5) RNCP professional certification registry (Registre national des certifications professionnelles).

Admission is possible directly after completing a high-school diploma or after a two-year university degree. Applications for the September 2022 academic year are now open, more information is available on the Guardia Cybersecurity School website. Open days are organised every week, upon registration (https://guardia.school/reunion-dinformation.html).

“Focusing on the recruitment of future cybersecurity talent, this partnership has several dimensions. The joint development of the programme with Exclusive Networks will allow us to support these students in learning their profession in an academic manner, and to ensure that the skills they acquire are fully in line with the market needs of tomorrow. By creating an ecosystem around them, we guarantee their future employability, which is why we relied on the innovative approach adopted by Guardia Cybersecurity School”, said Laurent Daudré-Vignier, Managing Director, Exclusive Networks France.

About Exclusive Networks

Exclusive Networks is a global trusted cybersecurity specialist for digital infrastructure helping to drive the transition to a totally trusted digital future for all people and organisations. Our distinctive approach to distribution gives partners more opportunity and more customer relevance.

Our specialism is their strength – equipping them to capitalise on rapidly evolving technologies and transformative business models.

The Exclusive Networks story is a global one with a services-first ideology at its core, harnessing innovation and disruption to deliver partner value. With offices in 40 countries and the ability to service customers in over 150 countries across five continents, Exclusive Networks has a unique ‘local sale, global scale’ model, combining the extreme focus and value of local independents with the scale and service delivery of a single worldwide distribution powerhouse. More at www.exclusive-networks.com

Exclusive Networks PR contact:

Mark Waite, Cohesive

+44 (0)7774 265444

exclusivegroup@wearecohesive.com