Summary：**Netskope CEO on post‑IPO buzz and the AI challenge facing new grads – The Business Journals****Int

**Netskope CEO on post‑IPO buzz and the AI challenge facing new grads – The Business Journals**

**Introduction**
Netskope’s recent initial public offering has sparked a wave of optimism across the cybersecurity sector, but the excitement is tempered by a growing concern: how to equip the next generation of talent with the AI‑driven skills that modern cloud security demands. In a candid interview, Netskope CEO Sanjay Beri outlined the company’s post‑IPO momentum while highlighting the urgent need to bridge the AI knowledge gap for recent graduates entering the workforce.

**Key Developments**
Since listing on the NASDAQ under the ticker “NET,” Netskope has reported a 22% year‑over‑year increase in subscription revenue, driven by expanded adoption of its Secure Service Edge (SSE) platform among Fortune 500 enterprises. The IPO proceeds—approximately $460 million—are earmarked for three strategic pillars: accelerating product innovation, expanding global sales coverage, and investing in talent development programs. Beri emphasized that the company has already launched a university partnership initiative, offering hands‑on labs focused on zero‑trust architecture and AI‑based threat detection.

**Industry Analysis**
The cybersecurity landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation as attackers increasingly leverage generative AI to craft sophisticated phishing campaigns and automate vulnerability discovery. Consequently, defenders must master machine‑learning models that can analyze petabytes of telemetry in real time. A recent (ISC)² study revealed that 61% of hiring managers consider AI proficiency a “must‑have” for entry‑level security analysts, yet only 28% of recent computer science graduates report having completed coursework in applied AI for security. This mismatch creates a talent bottleneck that could slow the industry’s ability to counteract AI‑enhanced threats.

**Future Outlook**
Beri predicts that the next 12‑18 months will see a surge in demand for hybrid roles—professionals who blend traditional networking expertise with data‑science acumen. Netskope plans to expand its internal AI Academy, offering certifications that stack onto existing credentials such as CISSP and CCSP. Moreover, the CEO urged policymakers and educational institutions to modernize curricula, integrating AI ethics, model interpretability, and