Discover how edForce and PECB are collaborating to enhance cybersecurity skills in India, addressing the talent gap and preparing professionals for emerging threats.
India’s digital growth has brought both benefits and risks. The same broadband networks that support commerce and education also carry a rise in cyber threats. In the last three years, reported cyber incidents against Indian businesses have surged, reflecting a broader trend in the region. The World economic Forum highlights a critical issue: 52% of public organizations in India report a lack of skilled personnel and resources as a major barrier to achieving cyber resilience. This gap results in frequent headlines about data breaches, ransomware attacks, and supply chain issues, which damage consumer trust and raise insurance costs.
The rapid spread of new technologies worsens the situation. Innovations like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing expand the attack surface faster than security teams can respond. Every connected device in a smart city or AI tool in banking can be a target for attackers. The Indian government has introduced policies like the National Cyber Security Policy 2020 and established a Cyber Coordination Centre, but the talent gap remains significant.
edForce and PECB: A Strategic Partnership
edForce, an upskilling accelerator, has partnered with the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB), a global certification body active in over 150 countries. This collaboration, announced in March 2024, focuses on PECB’s ISO/IEC 27001-aligned courses, which set a standard for Information Security Management Systems by integrating governance, risk management, and technical controls.
“With the rise in global information security threats, the best defense is to properly skill and reskill the workforce,” said Ravi Kaklasaria, co-founder and CEO of edForce. The partnership offers advanced training from industry experts, equipping professionals with practical skills and ISO-based certifications. Tim Rama, CEO of PECB, noted that edForce’s strong ties to the Indian IT sector make it an ideal partner for spreading these standards across the country’s tech workforce.
“With the rise in global information security threats, the best defense is to properly skill and reskill the workforce,” said Ravi Kaklasaria, co-founder and CEO of edForce.
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This partnership also represents a shift in how certification bodies engage with emerging markets. Instead of simply offering static exams, PECB is co-developing learning pathways that address the realities of Indian businesses, including distributed teams, multilingual users, and evolving data privacy regulations.
Building a Cyber-Resilient Workforce
The edForce-PECB model addresses the talent shortage in three ways. First, it makes high-quality training more accessible. Courses are offered through a blended platform that fits the busy schedules of full-time engineers, allowing them to study after hours or during breaks. Second, the curriculum meets the practical needs of Indian organizations, covering incident response, cloud security, and securing AI systems. Third, the ISO/IEC 27001 certification serves as a recognized credential, speeding up hiring processes and promoting internal mobility.
For job seekers, this partnership clarifies career paths. A junior developer who adds a PECB-certified ISMS module to their software engineering degree can present themselves as a “cyber-ready” professional, which can lead to higher salaries and better negotiating power. For current IT staff, upskilling offers protection against job loss as automation replaces routine tasks.
Corporate leaders also benefit. Companies with certified staff experience quicker compliance audits, shorter incident response times, and a cultural shift where security is integrated rather than an afterthought. In a landscape where 52% of public bodies acknowledge skill shortages, building internal capabilities is essential.
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The intersection of AI and cybersecurity is now a reality. As Indian companies adopt AI for various applications, the demand for professionals who can secure these systems grows. AI models, with their reliance on vast data and complex processes, introduce new vulnerabilities such as model poisoning and data theft.
Through the edForce-PECB partnership, IT professionals gain the skills needed to navigate this landscape. The ISO-aligned curriculum includes modules on securing AI data lifecycles and risk assessment for machine learning, aligning with emerging standards like ISO/IEC 42001 (AI risk management). By mastering these areas, professionals not only protect their organizations but also enhance their employability in a rapidly growing job market.
Future-Proofing Careers in AI
The intersection of AI and cybersecurity is now a reality.
Techniques for Future-Proofing Careers in AI
Automation of Repetitive Tasks: Use AI tools to automate routine security checks—like patch management and vulnerability scanning—allowing more focus on strategic planning.
Data Science and Analytics: Learn statistical modeling and data visualization to identify unusual patterns in large data sets, turning raw data into actionable insights.
Cloud Computing Expertise: As AI workloads shift to multi-cloud environments, knowledge of cloud security (IAM, zero-trust networking, encryption) is crucial for protecting distributed services.
Cybersecurity Specialization: Focus on niche areas—like IoT security and secure DevOps—to tackle unique challenges posed by AI technologies.
Strategic Perspective
India faces a critical moment where rapid digital transformation meets a significant shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. The edForce-PECB partnership goes beyond traditional training; it builds a foundation for a cyber-resilient economy. By combining global standards with local delivery, this alliance accelerates the development of a skilled workforce capable of protecting the nation’s data and AI systems.
Looking ahead, the challenge will be maintaining this momentum. Policymakers must encourage lifelong learning, companies should integrate certification into career paths, and educational institutions need to align their curricula with industry needs.
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