ESET’s cybersecurity scholarship is building a talent pipeline

This episode of In the Channel from ChannelBuzz.ca explores ESET Canada's Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship, now in its 5th year nationally and 11th globally. Host Robert Dutt interviews Bob Bonneau, ESET Canada’s Country Manager, who shares the program’s evolution from a single $5,000 scholarship to three awards, driven by growing applicant quality and a broader mission to address Canada’s cybersecurity talent gap—projected at 25,000 open roles with a projected shortfall of 100,000 by 2035. While initially focused on philanthropy and awareness, the program has matured into a collaborative effort involving a 10-member selection committee from partners, customers, and resellers. Bonneau acknowledges a gap in channel engagement, noting most recipients go to tech companies rather than MSPs or partners, and commits to better evangelizing the channel as a career path. The episode also highlights the new alumni network, future leader tier, and the importance of proactive recruitment and retention strategies for MSPs. A key takeaway is that cybersecurity talent, once certified, becomes highly sought after—making retention a critical competitive advantage.