Fortinet has launched a free Technical High School Cybersecurity Curriculum for U.S. high schools, providing lesson plans and instructor materials at no cost. The two-year program consists of two year-long courses designed to introduce students to cybersecurity fundamentals and advanced concepts.
The curriculum, developed by Fortinet’s Training Institute, includes Cybersecurity 1: Foundations and Cybersecurity 2: Fundamentals. The first course introduces key skills and career pathways in cybersecurity, while the second builds on technical concepts and prepares students for industry-standard certifications. Topics covered include networking, cryptography, endpoint security, application security, risk management, and cyber defense.
Each course requires approximately 180 days or 145 hours to complete, and the modular format allows educators to integrate portions of the lessons into existing curricula or teach the full courses. The program aligns with educational standards and is designed to support teachers in delivering structured cybersecurity education.
Chicago Public Schools is among the early pilot districts participating in the initiative. Daniel Patterson, High School Computer Science Manager for the district, stated the curriculum will be explored as a resource to strengthen its cybersecurity pathway and prepare students for college-level coursework and future careers. Fortinet serves over 1 million customers globally with its cybersecurity products and services.
