Absa Cybersecurity Academy is an externally focused, corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at empowering marginalised South African youths to become certified cybersecurity specialists.

Addressing the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals is an urgent challenge and provides a unique opportunity to make a difference. This skills shortage must be filled to support the projected growth in the world’s cybersecurity sector over the next couple of years, but the talent pool is simply not keeping pace.

Young South Africans from marginalised backgrounds are hungry for opportunities to develop skills that will result in employment. They are often unable to access tertiary education due to financial circumstances and without education, their future is bleak and the cycle of poverty continues. Given the enormous need for skilled cybersecurity professionals locally and globally, we saw the opportunity to truly make a difference and change lives.