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Renata Mekovec i Biljana Cerin
Episode · #250

TEHNOBIZ Renata Mekovec i Biljana Cerin

Guest Renata Mekovec i Biljana CerinHosted by Dražen TomićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

A global shortage of three million cybersecurity experts isn't just a statistic; it's a market signal. For educational institutions, it's a clear mandate to adapt, not just update, their offerings. That challenge is precisely what Renata Mekovec, who leads the Information Security Management and Audit program at FOI Varaždin, and Biljana Cerin from Ostendo Consulting, address in this conversation. They discuss how FOI overhauled its postgraduate study to meet critical industry demands, blending academic rigor with real-world application. The redesigned program, which has been running since 2007, now brings industry experts directly into the classroom and prepares students for leading certifications like CISSP. You'll hear how this approach aims to close the persistent gap between theoretical knowledge and the practical skills employers desperately need, ensuring graduates are not just qualified, but immediately employable.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The world currently faces a shortage of three million cybersecurity professionals, a figure that is not merely a statistic but a direct market signal for educational institutions. This persistent demand underscores that a well-designed program isn't just about offering new skills, but about responding to a critical, unmet global need.
02
FOI's Information Security Management and Audit program, though established in 2007, underwent a complete redesign this year because, as Renata Mekovec puts it, they want students to "recognize this study as a place where they will get the knowledge and skills they need for their job." Sustained relevance in a fast-moving field requires more than incremental updates; it demands periodic, fundamental reinvention of the curriculum.
03
The core of the redesigned program is its integration of leading industry professionals who teach specific subjects, sharing their real-world experiences and challenges. Theoretical knowledge alone is insufficient; practical, current insights from those in the trenches are essential to prepare students for immediate impact in high-stakes roles.
04
A significant feature of the new program is its partnership with ISC2, allowing students to formally prepare for industry certifications like CISSP. This approach addresses a common hiring paradox: demanding experience that new graduates can't have, by providing a structured pathway to achieve industry recognition and overcome initial professional barriers.
05
Biljana Cerin highlights that job advertisements for cybersecurity roles frequently demand ten or more years of experience, creating an entry barrier that is hard to overcome for new professionals. The FOI program, by combining academic learning with industry mentorship and certification preparation, directly helps individuals "overcome these entry barriers."
06
FOI maintains an active dialogue with approximately five hundred companies, using their direct feedback to shape the curriculum and understand what employers seek from graduates. For an educational program to stay truly relevant, the feedback loop from the industry should be deeply embedded, not just a periodic survey.
07
The program is specifically designed for professionals who are already working and have some experience in the field, making it a specialized study. The most effective postgraduate education serves to deepen the expertise of practitioners, allowing them to bring real-world problems into the classroom for solutions and to advance their careers.
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