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Cisco launches cybersecurity talent centre in Taiwan
March 19, 2021
TAIPEI -- US-based Cisco Systems Inc. has launched a cybersecurity talent cultivation centre in New Taipei City, underscoring the global networking heavyweight's commitment to working with Taiwan in boosting local capability in the sector.
Jointly set up by the U.S. firm's local branch and Taipei City-based Ausenior Information Co. Ltd., the centre is located in the Startup Terrace Linkou, which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Small and Medium Enterprise Administration.
Taiwan's Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs, Lin Chuan-neng, said cybersecurity was a top priority in the Government's industrial development policy, citing as an example an NT$809 million (US$28.62 million) national cybersecurity excellence centre in planning by the Executive Yuan.
The Ministry welcomed Cisco's decision to set up the centre, Lin said, and looked forward to working closely with the firm in fast-tracking development of top-tier professionals.
George Chen, Head of Cisco Systems Taiwan Ltd., said the centre was among the most important initiatives in the firm's 20-year history in Taiwan. It was also the first Cisco centre of its type in the Asia-Pacific region dedicated to fostering network professionals and software developers using Cisco's DevNet platform, he added.
Chen said that while there were 21,000 cybersecurity professionals in Taiwan, there were an estimated 3,800 vacancies, with the number increasing by 15% each year. The new cenre was expected to help address this pressing challenge.
Cybersecurity is a key plank in President Tsai Ing-wen's six core strategic industries initiative, unveiled during her 2020 inauguration speech. The others are information and digital technology, biotech and medical technology, national defence, green and renewable energy and strategic stockpile industries.
