Cybersecurity is a growing and crucial issue for African nations. According to a 2024 study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), nearly 90% of organizations experienced at least one security breach in the past year.
Of those organizations, 90% reported being targeted multiple times. Meanwhile, the report found that 63% of cybersecurity jobs in South Africa are either partially or fully unfilled.
To help close that gap, Google Cloud and the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) are introducing new learning opportunities with the Google Cybersecurity Upskilling Initiative.
Google Cloud is providing the opportunity for up to 12,000 students to achieve the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, helping to build a strong cybersecurity workforce and equip job seekers with affordable paths to careers in cybersecurity, cyber-defense, information security analysis, and in Security Operations Centers (SOC).
The program is part of Google’s $1 billion commitment in Africa to help boost the continent’s digital transformation. Key drivers of Africa’s growth will include investing in infrastructure, nurturing the growing tech talent pool, and enabling a vibrant startup ecosystem.
Another key part of this investment is to help upskill the local workforce. In partnership with the Department for Public Service and Administration, Google Cloud is opening opportunities for 1,000 national and local public service employees, government officials, and civil servants to enhance their careers in cloud security with the Google Cloud Cybersecurity Skills Boost certificate. The course covers cloud computing basics, risk management, threat and vulnerability management, incident mitigation and recovery, and provides hands-on training with Google Cloud tools.
“Empowering young minds with cybersecurity knowledge is not just an investment in their future, but in the safety and security of our digital world. Through the collaborative initiative of NEMISA, Google Cloud, and Coursera, we are providing free certification training that opens doors to new opportunities while fostering an online environment for all,” said Mondli Gungubele, member of parliament and deputy minister, Communications and Digital Technologies, South Africa.
Both initiatives are designed and taught by Google experts, aligning with Google Cloud’s commitment to enhancing cybersecurity protection around the world. “By equipping every public servant with foundational digital and cybersecurity knowledge, we ensure that our transformation is secure, resilient, and grounded in accountability. Looking ahead, this collaboration exemplifies the best of public-private partnerships. Google Cloud’s expertise and commitment to community-oriented solutions link with our dedication to professionalization,” said Mzamo Buthelezi, minister, Public Service and Administration, South Africa.
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Google cybersecurity training can help promote a secure and resilient digital economy for South Africa, better equipped to combat malicious cyber activity, including cybercrime. The Cybersecurity Upskilling Initiative for South Africa by Google Cloud builds on previous South African investments, including the Johannesburg Cloud region, to enable businesses across the continent to gain access to high-performance, secure, and low-latency cloud services.
