SA’s Youth in Cybersecurity: Challenges and Opportunities
South Africa’s cyber threat landscape is becoming harder than ever to navigate as incidents escalate in tandem with an increase in internet users. At the same time, approximately 87% of local businesses report a serious cybersecurity skills shortage, leaving their systems vulnerable to hacking and online attacks.
A combination of recruiting challenges, human development backlogs, and a lack of opportunities for young cybersecurity professionals is exacerbating these challenges, but the situation can be reversed with the right strategy.
The State of Cybersecurity Talent in SA
Businesses across the country are feeling the pinch of a cybersecurity skills shortage, with 40% struggling to recruit and retain cyber talent, and 64% believing this gap increases their risk exposure.
At the same time, many young aspiring cybersecurity professionals are unclear as to the education and training path that could lead to lucrative opportunities in the future.
The following training methods could culminate in a cybersecurity career:
- Diplomas and degrees in cybersecurity or IT. These are offered by institutions such as UJ, UNISA, Stellenbosch, and CPUT among others
- Postgraduate diplomas and honours programmes that allow graduates to further specialise in information security
- Certifications and Bootcamps. These alternative but globally recognised credentials include CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CISSP, Cisco CyberOps Associate, Microsoft SC‑900/200, and EC‑Council certifications.
Local accelerators such as the SANCS Talent Accelerator offer a six‑month internship with live‑range labs and mentorship.
Bridging the Experience Gap
Based on the latest industry data, SA companies are both keen to fill vacant positions and acutely aware of the cyber risks that exist today.
In 2024, 86% of companies reported suffering multiple cyber attacks, with 39% having been hit by breaches costing over US$1 million. Despite the increasing risk of severely damaging cyber incidents, Kaspersky warns that approximately 74% of organisations rely solely on general IT staff for cybersecurity functions, potentially putting their highly sensitive files at risk.
A flexible hiring approach,including expanded internship programmes in collaboration with tertiary institutions and bootcamp providers, could give job seekers the experience they need to hit the ground running once they are hired in a cybersecurity role.
With entry-level cybersecurity roles like SOC analysts earning R22 000 – R25 000 per month and senior roles requiring experience and advanced certification commanding R1.5 million to R2.5 million per year, the industry could become a major source of high-value employment and help bring an end to the surge in cybercrime currently affecting businesses across the country.
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