[Digital Today reporter Seulgi Son] The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Sunday it will operate the cybersecurity talent development program "Virtual Internship Program (VIP) 2026" in cooperation with global network and security company Cisco for five weeks through July 31.

Now in its second year, VIP targets top trainees from the ministry's information security professional workforce development project. The number of participants increased to 200 this year from about 30 last year.

Participants will complete a 75-hour curriculum through the Cisco Networking Academy. The training covers endpoint security, cyber threat management and network defense. It also includes practical sessions on designing a virtual network environment and defending against security vulnerabilities using Cisco Packet Tracer.

Security experts in South Korea and overseas, including Cisco's threat intelligence organization Talos, will provide lectures on the latest trends and career mentoring.

After the program ends, the organisers will hold a Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition. Those who complete the full course will receive a joint certificate from the ministry and Cisco.

Choi Woo-hyuk (최우혁), director-general for Information Security and Network Policy at the ministry, said it was most important to secure practice-oriented security talent who can be deployed immediately in the corporate field. He said the ministry will expand cooperation with leading global companies to help young people grow into key talent who compete on the world stage.