As South Africa observes Youth Month, the country finds itself at the convergence of two major crises: youth unemployment and escalating cyber threats. While these issues may seem unrelated, cybersecurity skills development provides a significant opportunity to address both.
South Africa currently has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, sitting at 62,4% in Q1 2025. At the same time, cyberattacks are on the rise, with recent high-profile incidents involving the National Health Laboratory Service, Cell C, MTN and SAA. South Africa loses an estimated R2,2-billion annually to cybercrime. Even though the country currently ranks 73rd in the Global Threat Index, making it the third-safest country in Africa, it still faces a critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals.
According to global research, the cybersecurity industry has a staggering 3,4-million unfilled positions worldwide. Closer to home, South Africa only has approximately 57,000 people currently employed in the field. As a result, local companies are increasingly outsourcing these roles, exporting economic opportunity and inflating national digital risk.
“Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue. It is an employment issue, an economic issue, and a youth development opportunity,” says Yaron Assabi, founder of Digital Resilience. “By equipping our youth with the skills the industry urgently needs, we can build local digital resilience and reverse the cycle of economic exclusion.”
A digital generation, ready to plug the gap
South Africa’s youth are digitally native. They are mobile-first, active online, and already engaged in digital ecosystems. Yet many are unaware of cybersecurity as a viable and lucrative career path. Entry-level roles can start at around R324 000 per year, with strong growth into six-figure packages for experienced professionals. This provides the youth with a significant career trajectory.
But awareness is not enough.
“Young people cannot walk the path if the system does not show them where it begins. We need to invest in structured, inclusive pathways that bring cybersecurity training within reach,” adds Assabi.
Practical pathways into cybersecurity
There are already excellent initiatives helping to bridge the gap. These include:
- Absa Cybersecurity Academy, which supports underserved youth through certified training.
- TakeNote IT’s Academy of Excellence offers technical and security courses.
- Google Career Certificates in Cybersecurity, designed to make job-ready skills more accessible.
Additional guidance on what to study is available via Hi-Tech Security Solutions, outlining paths for those seeking to enter the field with or without formal university degrees.
Empower, employ, protect
Digital Resilience calls on industry, education providers, and government to collaborate in addressing the dual crisis of youth unemployment and cyber vulnerability. To this end, the company recommends:
- Raising awareness about cybersecurity careers, particularly in underrepresented communities.
- Funding accessible training and mentorship programmes.
- Hiring based on potential, not just experience, and offering internships that build real capability.
“Digital threats are real but also provide a massive opportunity. If we act decisively, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s workforce. Youth Month should be a reminder that resilience begins with inclusion,” concludes Assabi.