[South Africa] Partnership to bridge cybersecurity skills gap

The British High Commission Pretoria - in partnership with KnowBe4 and KPMG - is working with MiDO Technologies on a Cyber Academy programme to digitally upskill underserved communities in South Africa’s Western Cape, IT-Online reports.

The MiDO Cyber Academy programme will support 20 school leavers over nine months as they attain cyber, professional and life skills to prepare them for work placements in South African businesses.

The programme reportedly comes in response to the challenges of youth unemployment and cybersecurity skills shortage in the country. The unemployment rate in South Africa was 63.9 per cent for young people aged 15-24, while the official national rate stood at 34.5 per cent, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) 2022.

Skills shortages in the cybersecurity space hold back growth in emerging technologies and the 4th industrial revolution. (ISC)²’s 2021 Cyber Workforce Report revealed that there were 2.72 million vacancies for security professionals that could not be filled in 2021.

Anna Collard - senior vice-president of content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA - said, “The programme aims to address these gaps by building a pipeline of talented and diverse young people who can pursue careers in cybersecurity and contribute to the digital transformation of South Africa.” 

Victoria White - southern Africa cyber lead for the British High Commission Pretoria - added, “It also strives to attract more women to the sector because currently only 9 per cent of the cybersecurity workforce in Africa are women. 55 per cent of the current cohort candidates are female.” 

The programme reportedly facilitates workshops and guest lectures from industry representatives, in addition to exposure to companies for job shadowing and internship opportunities. Weekly mentor group sessions support the mentees by empowering them to resolve current issues and develop healthy coping strategies for the future.

“We are delighted to partner with the British High Commission Pretoria, KPMG, and KnowBe4,” Dale Simons - CEO of MiDO Technologies - said.

“We are so grateful to the Cybersecurity community for contributing to this programme. InfoSec Institute provided free licenses, NClose provided stipends and Cybereason and InfoSec Consulting sponsored Chromebooks. Thank you Stellenbosch University for availing lecture space and resources for the Cyberlab and RAIN for keeping us connected. Together, we are not only hoping but also working hard to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and the future of cybersecurity in South Africa.”

Source: IT-Online

(Quotes via original reporting)

The British High Commission Pretoria - in partnership with KnowBe4 and KPMG - is working with MiDO Technologies on a Cyber Academy programme to digitally upskill underserved communities in South Africa’s Western Cape, IT-Online reports.

The MiDO Cyber Academy programme will support 20 school leavers over nine months as they attain cyber, professional and life skills to prepare them for work placements in South African businesses.

The programme reportedly comes in response to the challenges of youth unemployment and cybersecurity skills shortage in the country. The unemployment rate in South Africa was 63.9 per cent for young people aged 15-24, while the official national rate stood at 34.5 per cent, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) 2022.

Skills shortages in the cybersecurity space hold back growth in emerging technologies and the 4th industrial revolution. (ISC)²’s 2021 Cyber Workforce Report revealed that there were 2.72 million vacancies for security professionals that could not be filled in 2021.

Anna Collard - senior vice-president of content strategy and evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA - said, “The programme aims to address these gaps by building a pipeline of talented and diverse young people who can pursue careers in cybersecurity and contribute to the digital transformation of South Africa.” 

Victoria White - southern Africa cyber lead for the British High Commission Pretoria - added, “It also strives to attract more women to the sector because currently only 9 per cent of the cybersecurity workforce in Africa are women. 55 per cent of the current cohort candidates are female.” 

The programme reportedly facilitates workshops and guest lectures from industry representatives, in addition to exposure to companies for job shadowing and internship opportunities. Weekly mentor group sessions support the mentees by empowering them to resolve current issues and develop healthy coping strategies for the future.

“We are delighted to partner with the British High Commission Pretoria, KPMG, and KnowBe4,” Dale Simons - CEO of MiDO Technologies - said.

“We are so grateful to the Cybersecurity community for contributing to this programme. InfoSec Institute provided free licenses, NClose provided stipends and Cybereason and InfoSec Consulting sponsored Chromebooks. Thank you Stellenbosch University for availing lecture space and resources for the Cyberlab and RAIN for keeping us connected. Together, we are not only hoping but also working hard to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and the future of cybersecurity in South Africa.”

Source: IT-Online

(Quotes via original reporting)