December 26, 2023 at 07:06AM
African nations are striving to bolster their cyber capabilities amid growing cybersecurity threats. In Nigeria, initiatives like the Cyber Hub and partnerships with the US aim to train a new generation of cybersecurity professionals and develop indigenous solutions. However, challenges persist, including a lack of specialized training programs and skilled personnel, and the struggle to retain trained workers.
Key takeaways from the meeting notes:
– Africa, and particularly Nigeria, is aiming to build its capacity in cybersecurity, recognizing the need for skilled professionals to defend against cyber threats. Efforts are underway to develop and expand the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through partnerships between academic institutions, private companies, and organizations such as the National Information Technology Development Agency.
– The focus is on creating sustainable frameworks for collaboration and partnership, promoting joint research projects, and building a capacity for cybersecurity among African nations, with a specific emphasis on creating opportunities for women in cybersecurity.
– Africa, and Nigeria in particular, faces a skills gap in cybersecurity and technical skills. There is a need for better avenues for training and knowledge acquisition, which could position Africa as a talent capital in cybersecurity if addressed effectively.
– Nigeria has identified challenges such as a lack of knowledge regarding cybersecurity, a deficiency of specialized training programs, and a shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel. The country also lags behind in terms of digital quality of life and electronic security, ranking 88th and 73rd respectively, indicating the need for significant improvements in cybersecurity.
– Other African nations like Morocco, Kenya, and Egypt are also pushing forward in the field of cybersecurity, with Morocco in particular publishing its National Strategy for Information Security and Digital Trust in 2007.
– The cybersecurity market in Africa is expected to grow to $3.7 billion by 2025, but it is currently facing annual losses of $3.5 billion. Building the next wave of cybersecurity capabilities, retaining trained cybersecurity workers, and addressing emerging and unforeseen threats through R&D are identified as crucial focus areas.
– Both governments and private sector organizations in Africa need to be more intentional in developing technology talent to address both local and global needs. Retaining skilled professionals within the country is crucial, particularly in light of challenges related to talent migration.