The Microsoft Africa Development Centre (ADC) has teamed up with Cyber Shujaa to train 100 students in cybersecurity across Kenya, aiming to strengthen the talent pipeline in the technology sector.
This three-month program will welcome its first cohort of 70 undergraduate and 30 graduate students, all with less than two years of work experience, who will engage in eight comprehensive cybersecurity modules.
Employing a hybrid learning model, the course will combine theoretical instruction with practical training, delivered through one-on-one classroom sessions and weekly mentorship opportunities.
Cyber Shujaa, a collaborative initiative involving Serianu Limited, USIU-Africa, and the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), focuses on equipping youth with skills in cybersecurity and data protection. To date, the program has provided competency-based training to over 500 individuals.
Catherine Muraga, Managing Director of Microsoft ADC, emphasized the initiative’s role in enhancing skill development within Kenya’s tech industry. She noted that, despite its critical importance across various sectors, cybersecurity remains under-resourced in terms of human capital.
“This partnership represents ADC’s commitment to positioning Kenya as a hub for cybersecurity professionals, and we are excited to collaborate with Cyber Shujaa,” Muraga stated. “Participants will earn two Microsoft cybersecurity certificates, significantly improving their prospects for industry roles.”
Lola Omole-Odubekun, Interim Vice-Chancellor of USIU-Africa, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its alignment with the university’s strategic goals to develop cutting-edge academic and co-curricular programs.
“Our strategic plan aims to tackle these challenges through a comprehensive approach centered on problem-solving via teaching, learning, and research,” she explained. “The Cyber Shujaa program exemplifies this commitment by partnering with industry leaders like Microsoft ADC to provide specialized training that addresses the cybersecurity skills gap.”
A recent Kaspersky Cybersecurity report indicated that 41% of companies globally are struggling to find enough cybersecurity professionals, while a World Economic Forum and ISC2 report revealed an urgent shortage of four million cybersecurity experts.
Serianu CEO William Makatiani emphasized the initiative’s goal of increasing quality employment opportunities for youth skilled in cybersecurity and data protection.
“We are thrilled to have Microsoft ADC on board, helping us provide upskilling opportunities in IT and cybersecurity for Kenyans, which enhances their personal development prospects,” he said. “So far, we’ve successfully placed over 745 individuals in key industry roles following their training with us.”
The Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2023 highlights the increasing sophistication and scale of cyber threats, underscoring the need for basic security hygiene, strong partnerships, and AI innovation to safeguard the digital landscape.
“This partnership is not only timely but also essential for boosting the cybersecurity industry in Africa,” noted Igor Sakhnov, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Engineering.
Participants in the program will receive training in eight key areas: network security, application security, cloud security, incident response, security architecture, IoT security, and forensics.
Microsoft Africa Development Centre Partners with Cyber Shujaa to Enhance Cybersecurity Training in Kenya
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