PPPs in cybersecurity offer a unique opportunity to enhance workforce development and drive economic growth. Cisco’s Networking Academy exemplifies this by equipping individuals with critical digital skills. Active since 1998 on the African continent, it trained more than 260,000 students in cybersecurity in 2024 alone in collaboration with schools, technical colleges, polytechnics and universities. And it doesn’t stop there. In addition, in collaboration with the South African government, the Edge Centre initiative supports small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), which are crucial for innovation and job creation. This programme in South Africa is a strategic initiative under Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme, designed to drive digital transformation, innovation and skills development. This initiative addresses unemployment and skill shortages, aligning with national Memorandum of Understanding and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment laws to promote economic inclusion and transformation. Edge Centres provide SMMEs with advanced Cisco technology and training, connecting them with global Cisco experts. This partnership transforms SMMEs into specialized technology partners and links Networking Academy graduates with employment opportunities, meeting business talent needs. This partnership highlights the transformative potential of PPP in cybersecurity, promoting innovation, economic growth and developing a future-ready workforce.CASE STUDY 8 Cisco Academy and Edge Centres in South Africa Ideas to inspire To promote the recruitment of cyber talent, PPPs could also help: –Launch apprenticeships and bootcamps: cybersecurity apprenticeships, bootcamps, hackathons and other training or competition programmes introduce aspiring professionals to the field and help them build foundational skills quickly. To ensure a steady supply of cybersecurity experts in critical national infrastructure (CNI), the United Kingdom government, in collaboration with a number of private-sector entities, ran the Cybersecurity CNI apprenticeships programme in 2017.28 Similarly, in 2023, the Communications Authority of Kenya partnered with the private sector to equip students with cyber skills through bootcamps and hackathons.29 The public sector can provide financial incentives such as grants to encourage companies to establish such programmes, while the private sector can play a leading role in designing the scope of apprenticeships and cybersecurity challenges. –Create programmes that facilitate the mobility of cybersecurity professionals across borders: the public sector could play a role in developing and implementing such programmes. This could include specialized visas for cybersecurity professionals, such as the Global Talent visa programme in the United Kingdom,30 or simplification of other bureaucratic processes related to work permits and residency requirements for cybersecurity professionals. The private sector could offer incentives including relocation packages, remote work options and visa sponsorship. While cybersecurity talent retention – both within organizations and across national economies – is a global challenge, research suggests that it is particularly critical in the Global South due to the brain drain trend.31 In Latin America, India and Africa, for example, 69%, 66% and 65% of organizations respectively struggle to retain talent. In North America this figure drops to 45%.PPPs can play a role in advancing professional development and create a positive work environment to keep cybersecurity professionals engaged and committed, helping to avoid talent loss.5.4 Retaining cybersecurity professionals Growing Cyber Talent Through Public–Private Partnerships 15

Growing Cyber Talent Through Public Private Partnerships 2025