The Importance of Cybersecurity Training: A conversation with Sylvia Schlaphof

Just as digital innovation continues to evolve in the world of cybersecurity, security professionals must invest in continued learning opportunities to remain ahead of threat actors, including a focus on certifications and cybersecurity training. To help close the skills gap challenging organizations, the Fortinet NSE Training Institute continues to make strides in advancing Fortinet’s Training Advancement Agenda (TAA) by offering various programs providing training and other resources to security professionals, women, veterans, students, and more. The NSE Certification Program, for example, is an eight-level certification program, and to become NSE 8 certified, candidates must have related industry experience and is the highest designation that shows mastery of Fortinet’s technology. 

Sylvia Schlaphof, Head of Engineering for BOLL Engineering in Zurich, Switzerland, is the first woman to achieve Level 8 Certification through Fortinet’s Network Security Expert (NSE) program. Sylvia is also a Fortinet Certified Trainer (FCT), helping other professionals achieve NSE certifications. We spoke with her recently about her passion for training and how it has helped her career growth as well as those she teaches.. 

Cybersecurity Training Through Fortinet's NSE Certification Advantage

What was your first impression of Fortinet’s Network Security Expert (NSE) program and its different levels?

I enjoyed the NSE 7 level most because it was very relevant to the work that I am doing at Boll Engineering with the support department. For example, I used the training materials later on when I was on the support phone and I needed some CLI commands for troubleshooting. I found them in the training materials, and that was really helpful for my job!

And of course, achieving the NSE level 8 certification was an exceptional challenge. I took part in the first official practical exam. Nobody knew what was going to happen there. I flew to Sunnyvale thinking, “What’s awaiting me for the next two days?” There were no previous exam-takers to call and ask what to expect. That was really tough, and I was a little nervous before the exam. But Fortinet has done a great job setting up the exam. It’s really a hands-on exam with real devices, not a simulation. That’s what I loved about it. When I passed, it felt like a big achievement. And, of course, people are impressed, especially because I was the first woman to accomplish it.

When I recently went through the first re-certification of NSE-8, it was great to see Fortinet has updated the exam with new questions on current security topics, so it was a great challenge again and not only a repetition of what I did a few years ago.

The first two NSE levels are more for people who may not have a technical background; it’s more for cybersecurity awareness. Do you feel people who aren’t in a technology-based career should take these certifications?

Definitely. These lower-level certifications help people to learn more about cybersecurity. All of our staff working with Fortinet products - whether it is sales, product management or support, work through this level as a foundation. Compared to other tech vendors, where there is only one level of certification, the NSE program demands a bigger commitment to proceed through the levels and through this commitment you truly became a Network Security Expert. The levels become more challenging as you go on, but they’re perfect for those who want to become more educated on cyber safety because of the foundation the first few levels build for beginners.