Addressing Africa’s Cybersecurity Skills Shortage Through Platformisation

In 2023, ISC2’s workforce study highlighted a global shortage of approximately 4 million cybersecurity professionals. Africa, too, faces a severe cybersecurity skills gap, with an estimated shortfall of 112,000 professionals.

This deficit leads to increased workloads, higher risks for organisations, and burnout among current staff. Despite ongoing training initiatives, the rate at which new professionals are developed falls short of the growing demand.

# The challenge
This skills shortage poses a significant challenge for organisations striving to secure their digital assets. This challenge is made worse by Africa’s rating as a prime destination for cyber attacks. Further, the time and resources required to find, train, and retain qualified employees necessitate exploring alternative solutions.

# Table talk focus
This table talk explores platformisation as a strategic approach to address the cybersecurity skills shortage. Participants will learn how platformisation and managed services can streamline processes, optimise resource utilisation, and enhance overall cybersecurity effectiveness.

# Outcomes
By the end of the table talk, attendees will:
• Understand the cybersecurity skills shortage and its implications.
• Acquire knowledge of platformisation and its potential to mitigate the skills gap.
• Develop actionable strategies for implementing platformisation within their organisations.
• Learn how to leverage managed services to complement their cybersecurity efforts.
• Network with industry experts and peers to share insights and best practices.

# Audience
• IT leaders: Individuals responsible for managing and implementing cybersecurity measures within their organisations.
• HR leaders: HR specialists focused on recruiting, training, and retaining cybersecurity talent.
• Business leaders and decision-makers: Executives and managers tasked with overseeing cybersecurity strategies and investments.
• CIOs and CTOs: Chief Information Officers and Chief Technology Officers looking to enhance their organisation’s cybersecurity posture.
• Security analysts and engineers: Professionals involved in the day-to-day operations of cybersecurity.
• Academics and researchers: Individuals researching cybersecurity trends, skills shortages, and solutions.
• Policy makers and regulators: Government officials and regulators interested in addressing the cybersecurity skills gap at a national or regional level.

# Speakers
• Engen & ISC2: Grant Hughes, leading cybersecurity & IT GRC expert in the Energy and FMCG sectors.
• Eight23: Debra-Lynn (Debbye) Marais, visionary IT executive with over 25 years in technology and business, is the MD and Co-Founder of Eight23, a specialist board advisory company providing fractional CIO services.
• Standard Bank Group: Advocate Dirontsho Mohale, leading data privacy expert in the financial sector, a dynamic and accomplished professional, speaker and thought leader with over two decades of experience in compliance, risk management, and data privacy.
• Information Regulator SA: Advocate Collen Weapond, full-time member of South Africa’s Information Regulator.
• NIL Data Africa: Alta Weeks is an IT Training Solutions Expert at NIL Africa
• The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS): Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar is the Group Chief Information Officer of the Council for Medical Schemes.

# Apply to join
https://itlawco.com/event/addressing-africas-cybersecurity-skills-shortage-through-platformisation/

Date: 04 September 2024
Time: 13:00 - 14:00
Venue: Online, Cape Town
Cost: Invite only

More info:

Online - Google Meet
https://itlawco.com/event/addressing-africas-cybersecurity-skills-shortage-through-platformisation/

Contact: Gail Marian
Company name: ITLawCo
Email address moc.ocwalti@troppus