Jahnavi – Firstly, what was the major idea or rather initiative behind the certified program launched by Blackbox Academy, Synersoft?
Vishal– Synersoft conceived and developed BLACKbox for the Indian MSMEs. BLACKbox is overwhelmingly adopted by thousands of MSMEs in India. It created a requirement for professionals who can install, configure, operate, and maintain BLACKbox to help MSMEs achieve the objectives of IT Compliance, Data Protection and Information Security as mandated by their customers, ensuring their business continuity and avoiding any possible competitive exploitation. It has given rise to the requirement of on-ground availability of professionals with a thorough knowledge of BLACKbox. It prompted Synersoft to launch a full-fledged academy that provides excellent training on BLACKbox and grooms IT professionals by enhancing their employability and creating entrepreneurial opportunities. That is how we developed a four-level certification program for BLACKbox.
Jahnavi– How do you think it would benefit the individuals who aspire to learn about IT?
Vishal– Indian MSMEs are spread across the country, and they exist in millions. The MSME sector’s demand for IT Compliance, Data Protection, and Information Security Solutions is exponentially growing. Synersoft, with its limited resources, cannot serve the MSMEs spread across the country. It requires an ecosystem to install and support BLACKbox. It calls for collaboration between Synersoft and IT career aspirants. By transferring knowledge about the product, sharing use cases, presenting customer success, and giving hands-on training on BLACKbox, Synersoft can create the desired ecosystem. Such an ecosystem intensifies the penetration of BLACKbox in the MSME sector, gives a sense of assurance to BLACKbox customers, provides employment, and creates entrepreneurial opportunities.
Jahnavi– What is the foremost objective behind this initiative?
Vishal– Traditionally available certification programs focus on a single function or product of IT about cybersecurity, networking, hardware maintenance, backup, firewall, server configuration, endpoint controls etc. An MSME cannot afford to engage individual professionals for each function of IT. BLACKbox is an “IT in a Box” product that serves as a single hardware and single software for multiple functions of IT. So, this program touches upon every function of IT that is necessary for an MSME to achieve the objectives of IT Compliance, Data Protection, and Information Security. It sets a clear objective for BLACKbox Certification Program, and that is to meet an MSME’s requirement of an IT professional who can install, configure, and maintain BLACKbox that serves as a single solution for multiple requirements of Data Centralization, Remote Access, Data Loss Prevention, Data Leakage Prevention, VPN, Backup, Disaster Response, and Productivity Monitoring.
Jahnavi– Considering ‘Synersoft offers rigorous 4 levels of BCSP (BLACKbox Certified Security Professional)’, can you explain in detail about these levels ?
Vishal- BCSP courses are conducted at four levels. Students can scale one level after a level. They are defined as levels 1, 2, 3, and Blackbelt. Level 1 is the longest in terms of the number of sessions and provides in-depth and hands-on training on BLACKbox as a solution. Level 2 is a short program focusing on pre-installation customer interfacing and documentation while understanding requirements and configuring the BLACKbox accordingly. Level 3 focuses on post-installation support, commonly known issues, and troubleshooting. BlackBelt (Level 4) is about the on-site installation of the BLACKbox. The student is deputed to a customer site and involved in the hands-on installation of the BLACKbox with an experience BLACKbox Certified Professional.
Jahnavi– What is the fees of this program?
Vishal- Fees we have kept quite moderate so that it is accessible to everyone. The fees start from just Rs. 10k and it is basically to enhance the employability of the person.
Jahnavi– Who is the major target of Blackbox for this program?
Vishal– We visualize building the ecosystem around the BLACKbox. BLACKbox as a product can be used by MSMEs and served by a community of certified professionals through installation, configuration, and maintenance. The academy can realize the vision of an ecosystem, including the maker, implementor, and consumer of the product. It will help share knowledge about extracting the full potential of the products across industries. It will also spread the use cases and configuration permutation for the benefit of the MSME customers.
Jahnavi– How long is this course for?
Vishal– While preparing the length of the course, we kept in mind that it shouldn’t be that long and should be easily accessible to everyone. So Are very first level is of around 18 hours, level 2 is 4 hours, level 3 is 10 hours and level 4 is of around 2 days which is called the black belts. The student will get the opportunity to visit the site where black box is to be installed. So in total, we have 32 hours online and then 2 days on the site for the exposure.
Jahnavi– What kind of professionals will be hired by Blackbox for the purpose to contribute their ideas into the program?
Vishal– This program is developed for IT Students, Fresher IT Graduates, and experienced IT professionals. It is also open for the IT professionals working with the companies using BLACKbox. These BCSP aspirants can enrol for the program to enhance their employability and claim entrepreneurial opportunities to serve Synersoft’s customers for new installations. They can also explore taking independent maintenance contracts from BLACKbox customers for better earning opportunities.
Jahnavi– What benefits will the youth gain from this program? How will they be able to enhance their qualifications by getting the prestigious BLACKbox Certification?
Vishal– There are ample job opportunities for BLACKbox Certified Professionals. The successful BCSP can get a lucrative job in the MSME setup that has invested in BLACKbox. Synersoft also requires BLACKbox Certified Professionals in its customer support call centres regularly. Not only that but also, a successful BCSP can become an entrepreneur to support BLACKbox customers as a consultant. Synersoft also outsources installation and configuration services from BCSPs for its new installation sites.
Jahnavi– What are your expectations for this program?
Vishal– Indian MSMEs are spread across the country, and they exist in millions. The MSME sector’s demand for IT Compliance, Data Protection, and Information Security Solutions is exponentially growing. Synersoft, with its limited resources, cannot serve the MSMEs spread across the country. It requires an ecosystem to install and support BLACKbox. It calls for collaboration between Synersoft and IT career aspirants. By transferring knowledge about the product, sharing use cases, presenting customer success, and giving hands-on training on BLACKbox, Synersoft can create the desired ecosystem. Such an ecosystem intensifies the penetration of BLACKbox in the MSME sector, gives a sense of assurance to BLACKbox customers, provides employment, and creates entrepreneurial opportunities.
