Growing Cyber Talent Through Public Private Partnerships 2025

Recruitment of cybersecurity professionals can be hindered by challenges such as insufficient pools of new graduates. In South Africa, the lack of education and training at a basic level as well as the migration of skilled labour are said to contribute to the skills gap.26 Organizations in Latin America also struggle to recruit talent, with 80% of organizations in the region struggling to find people with technology- focused certifications, according to Fortinet.27 That said, as shown by the examples below, PPPs can be used to improve the recruitment of cyber talent, including that of underrepresented groups such as women, youth and economically disadvantaged communities, helping to create a more inclusive and diverse cybersecurity workforce.5.3 Recruiting the right cybersecurity talent Her CyberTracks is a global initiative designed to bridge the gender gap in cybersecurity by equipping women with essential skills and opportunities to succeed in the field. Her CyberTracks offers a comprehensive five-month curriculum that includes technical and soft-skills training, mentorship and inspirational networking events. In 2023 and 2024, Her CyberTracks trained 300 participants, achieving a 93% satisfaction rate and creating a vibrant network of cybersecurity professionals across Europe and Africa. By enhancing participants’ expertise and confidence, the initiative strengthens global cyber resilience and creates an inclusive cybersecurity workforce. The programme is based on strong partnerships: while funded primarily by the German Federal Foreign Office and supported by Microsoft, the initiative is co-implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Local collaboration is also integral, with the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4) supporting regional implementation, and public- and private-sector partners contributing in kind to the curriculum. This partnership model uses the strengths of each entity: international organizations provide strategic guidance and lead the implementation; private-sector partners offer industry expertise; and financial contributors ensure programme scalability.CASE STUDY 6 Her CyberTracks The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is supporting, through financing, the promotion of cybersecurity and youth employment in Panama. The objective of this PPP is to develop skills and create jobs related to cybersecurity, focusing on improving women’s participation in the sector and expanding access to affordable cybersecurity services for SMEs. The entities involved in this alliance include NUMU Corporation, Deloitte Cyber Academy, Technical Superior Specialized Institute (ITSE), MNEMO Cybersecurity and various other organizations. NUMU Corporation is responsible for project management, skills development, bridges to employment and funds administration, while MNEMO Cybersecurity provides technical services and market experience. Deloitte Cyber Academy offers an online learning platform, while ITSE and other organizations assist in the outreach to young participants and host important activities related to the project. The impact of this alliance includes the establishment of a cybersecurity centre of excellence, the training and certification of 406 youngsters, 40% of them women, work experience for 200 of these individuals and the provision of cybersecurity services to 300 SMEs, enhancing their resilience to cyberattacks. NUMU is expanding this concept to El Salvador and other countries to open the highway of digital transformation opportunities for more people in the region. The goal is to make an impact through cybersecurity labs and AI skills development roadmaps, targeting the more vulnerable population in that country.CASE STUDY 7 IDB: Promoting Cybersecurity and Youth Employment in Panama Growing Cyber Talent Through Public–Private Partnerships 14