PwC Hong Kong and OffSec collaborate to enhance cybersecurity landscape

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Hong Kong, 4 March 2024 – PwC Hong Kong (“PwC”) and the leading provider of cybersecurity workforce development and learning, OffSec (formerly known as Offensive Security), are delighted to announce a strategic partnership aimed at delivering comprehensive, industry-leading cybersecurity training to learners in Hong Kong and Macau. This collaboration aims to extend the reach of PwC's expertise in cybersecurity and privacy while leveraging OffSec's proven track record delivering cybersecurity education and training for individual learners, government employees and organisations.

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, organisations are facing unprecedented challenges in safeguarding their critical assets from cyber threats. The partnership between PwC’s Dark Lab and OffSec brings together their unique expertise and resources to address the growing demand for highly skilled cybersecurity professionals and bridge the current skills gap in the cybersecurity industry.

For nearly a decade, PwC’s Dark Lab has been at the forefront of promoting OffSec accreditation in Hong Kong. Recognising the significance of cybersecurity in the digital age, PwC’s Dark Lab has proactively advocated for the accreditation in the industry. More than 60 accredited technical university students have been sponsored by PwC’s Dark Lab through winning the Hack A Day cybersecurity competition. Despite these endeavours, the total number of accredited technical experts in Hong Kong remains relatively low, with only 350 individuals currently holding an OffSec certification. This figure pales in comparison to other developed cities like Singapore, which boasts over 3,000 certified technical experts.

Responding to the situation, PwC’s Dark Lab recognises the need for a collaborative approach to enhance local talent supply. PwC’s Dark Lab acknowledges that significant progress requires orchestrated efforts among accreditation bodies like OffSec, as well as active involvement of public and private institutions in Hong Kong.

To accelerate the development of qualified and skilled accredited technical experts, PwC’s Dark Lab and OffSec will co-host live training sessions and resell OffSec’s online courses and examination bundles at highly competitive prices, catering to both individuals and corporations. This joint initiative represents the first of many anticipated collaborations designed to stimulate ongoing growth of cybersecurity expertise in Hong Kong.

PwC Hong Kong Cybersecurity and Privacy Partner, Kok Tin Gan, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are excited to team up with OffSec to expand our cybersecurity education initiatives. We have been unofficial advocates of OffSec for the last eight years. Our determination is rooted in our mindset and culture to ‘learn to hack, and hack to learn’. Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it is crucial to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard organisations and individuals. PwC is fully committed to raising cybersecurity expertise in Hong Kong and enabling the city to catch up with global peers. By utilising OffSec's innovative platform and extensive reach, we can extend our impact beyond Hong Kong and empower individuals across Asia to pivot to cybersecurity careers, while bolstering cybersecurity in the region.”

OffSec’s APAC Sales Leader, David Zhao, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with PwC to offer industry-leading expertise to our learners. At OffSec, our mission has always been to empower individuals and organisations to fight cyber threats with indispensable cybersecurity skills and resources. This partnership enables us to further expand our offerings in the cybersecurity domain. We are committed to helping organisations build resilient cybersecurity capabilities. By combining our strengths, we will provide professionals with the practical skills and knowledge they need to tackle today's cybersecurity challenges effectively.”

Through this partnership, PwC aims to create a comprehensive framework for collaboration in the industry. This framework will involve engaging accreditation bodies, such as OffSec, which serve as the foundation, and partnering with EdTech start-ups to establish a robust support network for local talent development. PwC will orchestrate the involvement of public and private organisations to achieve its vision of elevating technical expertise in Hong Kong.

Both PwC and OffSec are committed to delivering an exceptional learning experience that combines academic rigor with practical application. By leveraging their respective strengths, they aim to empower professionals to address complex cybersecurity challenges.

PwC Hong Kong Cybersecurity and Privacy Partner, Kok Tin Gan and OffSec’s APAC Sales Leader, David Zhao signed a strategic partnership agreement

About OffSec

OffSec is the leading provider of continuous professional and workforce development, training, and education for cybersecurity practitioners. OffSec's distinct pedagogy and practical, hands-on learning help organisations fill the infosec talent gap by training their teams on today's most critical skills. With the OffSec Learning Library featuring 7,000 hours of content, 1,800 videos, 4,200 hands-on labs, OffSec demonstrates its commitment to empowering individuals and organisations to fight cyber threats with indispensable cybersecurity skills and resources. OffSec also funds and maintains Kali Linux, the leading operating system for penetration testing, ethical hacking, and network security assessments. For more information, visit offsec.com and follow OffSec on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Discord and Instagram.