Cybersecurity operation nears launch

The CNMI’s first cybersecurity firm is on target to launch in the second quarter of 2020.

Cybersecurity is a growing and in-demand market segment within the technology industry and Latte Training Academy Inc. and InteliSecure Inc. have partnered to bring this new economic driver to the CNMI. However, the industry has suffered from a shortage of qualified professionals and this endeavor is being looked at as a way to retain talent on the islands.

“What we recognized is that once professionals enter the tech industry, they realize rapid career progression or the benefit of being in a high demand marketplace. With the U.S. tech industry growing the way it is and with a push to in-source these positions back to the [United States], the CNMI is well positioned to bring these jobs to the CNMI,” said LTA president Juan-Carlos Benitez,.

The Latte Training Academy, Inc has offered CompTIA certifications for the past four years and developed its Marianas Emerging Enterprise Training program, which is centered on bringing new emerging industries to the CNMI.

“The MEET program has proven to be an exceptional framework. LTA leverages its network of professionals who clearly understand the CNMI’s economy to market directly to specific companies. The program targets mid-sized companies within targeted industry clusters with at least five years of annual growth. For the pilot program, we tapped former Commerce Secretary Michael Ada, who resides in Colorado where there is a large tech base, to meet with InteliSecure, Inc. in November 2019. A month later, their chief financial officer and vice-presidents were on-island to assess the CNMI as an operation center and in January of 2020, they secured the space and are currently renovating,” said Benitez.

The MEET program partners private firms with the Latte Training Academy to provide the specific training to fulfill its operational needs. It requires that participating firms provide starting wages at least 30% higher than the minimum wage, requires promotional opportunities to a minimum of 30% of their CNMI-based employees within two years and requires that all positions are full-time. Firms can avail of access to a U.S. workforce in the Asia/Pacific time zone, training support services and a competitive landscape that minimizes poaching of its workforce from competing firms.

“As the inaugural participant of this program, we are extremely excited with the progress that InteliSecure is making toward launching their Marianas operations. The Latte Training Academy, Inc. is currently running an Information Technology Fundamentals certification course and will be launching its second cohort in late February to fill the employment demand for InteliSecure,” said LTA board member Ed Arriola Jr.

Commerce Secretary Mark Rabauliman has expressed full support of the organization and its programs.

“The tech industry is something that leaves no environmental footprint and brings sustainable jobs, which are not impacted by the external dynamics that impact our other industries. It also offers our younger workforce a career path that was not otherwise available in the CNMI,” said Rabauliman. (PR)