Skills gap leaves South Africa exposed as cyberattacks rise, says MiDO Academy

South Africa’s shortage of cybersecurity professionals is leaving organisations exposed as cyberattacks targeting banks, telecommunications providers, government departments and credit bureau Experian grow in frequency and sophistication, MiDO Academy said.

Who is affected and what has been lost

The attacks have exposed personal information, disrupted services and cost organisations millions, the academy said, highlighting vulnerabilities across both public and private sectors.

Demand outstrips supply

Research cited by MiDO Academy found that 56% of South African organisations struggle to recruit cybersecurity professionals. The academy warned that employers often seek experienced specialists while overlooking candidates who could be trained for the work.

A recruitment model under strain

“The traditional recruitment model isn’t working. Organisations are hunting for five-year experts while cyber threats continue to increase,”

said Dale Simons, CEO of MiDO Academy.

“By focusing on grit and potential rather than elite credentials, we can help address a very real skills shortage while creating opportunities for young people.”

Training and pathways into cybersecurity

MiDO Academy was established in 2023 and offers an NQF level 5 cybersecurity analyst qualification. According to the organisation, 51 students have completed the programme, 43 have secured internships, learnerships or project placements and 16 have moved into permanent employment.

Youth employment context

In contrast to the academy’s placement figures, the article noted Statistics South Africa’s latest data showing youth labour underutilisation among people aged 15 to 24 remains above 60%.

Balancing opportunity and responsibility

A key challenge is persuading employers to entrust sensitive responsibilities to less experienced recruits. Simons said the academy works with host organisations and prospective employers to manage placements.

“The business is looking for top talent and the student is looking for opportunities to learn and showcase their talent within a defined context,”

he said. MiDO Academy vets placement partners for compliance and good practice and works closely with them throughout the process, the article reported.

Broader view on digital resilience

MiDO Academy framed cybersecurity skills as a strategic necessity rather than a niche technical function. Simons said developing local expertise should be part of strengthening national digital resilience and that enabling young people to become “digital integration agents” would support cyber awareness across communities, schools, NGOs and SMEs.

JoburgEtc reporting, based on The Citizen