2.5. Closing the cybersecurity skills gap in developing countries: developing an action agenda

Microsoft / The World Bank / Rwanda

All countries are experiencing a critical cybersecurity workforce and skills shortage, estimated at 3.4 million workers globally. This is particularly the case for developing countries. There are lessons to be learned from how governments and industry have attempted to close this gap and cultivate local cybersecurity talent. Addressing this gap requires active and ongoing partnership between industries, academia, and governments, not only nationally, but at the international level too. Existing initiatives that have been proven to work should be scaled up and replicated to different contexts and geographies, while new opportunities for collaboration should be explored to make meaningful progress in this challenging area.

• How can countries with limited resources build a professional cybersecurity workforce by attracting, retaining, and upskilling talent?
• How can different stakeholders and actors across governments, the private sector, and international organizations collaborate to grow cybersecurity talent and expertise in developing countries on a sustainable basis? What are some options for public-private partnerships in cybersecurity skills development initiatives, and how should these be structured?
• What existing and new global mechanisms/platforms could help to pool resources for cybersecurity skills development?