Egypt Launches Second Edition of Cybersecurity Academy for Youth and Juniors Across 10 Provinces
Under the auspices of Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt has officially launched the second edition of the “Cybersecurity Academy for Youth and Juniors”, in a ceremony held at the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) headquarters in Smart Village.
The initiative is organized in collaboration with the National Computer Emergency Response Team (EG-CERT), affiliated with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), and in strategic partnership with MCS (Middle East Information Technology Services) and a consortium of global cybersecurity leaders including Google Cloud Security, Palo Alto Networks, Trellix, F5, among others.
The launch coincided with the commencement of training activities at 10 Digital Egypt Innovation Hubs across key governorates: Cairo, Alexandria, Dakahlia, Qalyubia, Menoufia, Fayoum, Assiut, Qena, Aswan, and Port Said—demonstrating the government’s commitment to nationwide digital capacity-building.
A Holistic National Training Vision
The new cycle of the program features specialized training modules including:
Cybersecurity fundamentals
Privacy protection
Cyberattack response techniques
Preparation for globally recognized certifications
These are tailored to empower participants with competitive skills for local, regional, and international job markets.
Dr. Ahmed Khattab, Director of the National Telecommunication Institute, emphasized during the launch that the program reflects a successful public-private model for preparing a new generation of cybersecurity professionals. “This expansion aligns with the Ministry’s strategy to build robust digital capabilities across Egypt,” he said, noting that more than 5,000 trainees will be targeted in this edition.
The training will be conducted in three phases:
Phase 1: 2,000 trainees aged 10–17
Phase 2: 2,000 university students
Phase 3: 1,000 recent graduates
Industry-Backed Skill Development
Dr. Khattab highlighted that the unique value of this edition lies in its deep partnerships with major tech firms, offering practical and internationally benchmarked learning. For the first time, the program also introduces freelancing and remote work training for university students, along with on-the-job training opportunities within partner companies for graduates.
Cybersecurity: A National Imperative
Eng. Waleed Zakaria, Vice President for Cybersecurity Affairs at NTRA, affirmed:
> “Cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s a fundamental pillar for protecting our digital society and economy.”
He added that Egypt’s steadfast digital transformation efforts have earned global recognition. Egypt now ranks among the top 12 countries worldwide in the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index, and EG-CERT recently won first place in the world’s largest international cyber drill involving 138 countries.
Addressing the young trainees, Zakaria said:
> “You are the digital defenders of tomorrow. The guardians of our data, infrastructure, and national digital sovereignty.”
Private Sector: Committed to National Goals
Eng. Tarek Shabka, Chairman of MCS, expressed his pride in supporting the Ministry's strategy:
> “Investing in youth capacity-building is the most valuable investment for achieving a resilient and secure digital future for Egypt.”
He added that MCS is committed to equipping youth with practical, internationally-aligned technical skills, emphasizing that cyber awareness must begin early and be sustained across all age groups.
Program Highlights and Logistics
The academy will run throughout the summer of 2025, incorporating interactive and hands-on sessions to cultivate national expertise capable of securing Egypt’s digital transformation.
To ensure accessibility, NTI has arranged free round-trip transportation for trainees from designated points across select governorates to the training venues.