Cybersecurity Industry Urged to Hire Certified Youth
At the 2025 ITWeb Security Summit, experts stressed that the cybersecurity industry is urged to hire certified youth who may lack job experience but possess the right qualifications. This initiative is critical for solving South Africa’s dual challenges: the widening cybersecurity talent gap and high youth unemployment.
Bridging the Experience Gap
According to Conrad Roos, Head of GRC at the Foschini Group, the global cybersecurity workforce is short over four million professionals. Many job seekers are certified but dismissed due to limited real-world experience. Nicole Cader from Absa agreed, noting that expectations must align with the realities of entry-level candidates. (Source)
Rethinking Recruitment Strategies
Cloudflare’s Andy Kennedy encouraged recruiters to prioritize potential over perfection. He advised hiring teams to stop waiting for “unicorn candidates” and instead focus on training those who show initiative. Dr. Machiniba Sylvia Sathekge of eTSHADI Consulting echoed this sentiment, urging companies to stop using experience as a barrier and start mentoring.
This thinking aligns with a broader call for reform seen across the cybersecurity education landscape.
Successful Initiatives in Action
Practical initiatives like the MiDO Academy are already showing results. Working with KnowBe4 Africa, MiDO provides free training to young professionals and actively places graduates in tech roles.
Google is also contributing through its Cybersecurity Skills Boost program, helping South Africans prepare for the job market through no-cost courses and certification tracks.
Conclusion
The cybersecurity industry is urged to hire certified youth and help them gain experience through mentorship and training. This approach not only fills a critical workforce gap but also creates meaningful job opportunities for South African graduates. The path forward must include inclusive hiring and investment in talent.
