Free Cybersecurity Training Program Commences with Over 800 Registrants; Question Arises: Can Cyberus Fulfill Its Ambitious $100 Million Goal?
In a bold move to bolster Zimbabwe's digital economy, the cybersecurity company Cyberus has launched the CyberDom project, a comprehensive training and ecosystem hub aimed at nurturing local talent in cybersecurity. The initiative, valued at $100 million, includes a tech hub, academy, and data centre, mirroring Cyberus's Russian CyberDom facility [1][2].
The project's primary objective is to train over 800 Zimbabwean youths in cybersecurity, free of charge. The training, which is currently underway, is funded by Cyberus and offers hands-on, practical learning to equip participants with in-demand skills [1][2].
The Zimbabwean Ministry of ICT has endorsed the project, with local partnerships being forged with Redzone Digital to manage logistics and recruitment. The training selection process is designed to identify top-performing trainees who may be sent to Russia for advanced training [1].
Participants stand to gain various benefits, including:
- Acquiring cybersecurity skills without any upfront costs
- Access to internships and job placements globally or remotely
- The opportunity to be part of a high-tech hub in Zimbabwe if CyberDom materializes locally
- A pathway to advanced training abroad for top students
The project's potential impact extends beyond Zimbabwe's borders, as it aims to nurture a competitive talent pool in global cybersecurity, advance the local digital economy, and establish Zimbabwe as a regional tech hub. However, while the Russian CyberDom foundation has proven success, the $100 million Zimbabwe CyberDom remains an ambitious, unproven initiative, dependent on Cyberus's ability to deliver at this scale and sustain the ecosystem over time [1][2][3].
Noteworthy developments in the project include the registration of over 800 Zimbabweans for the training program in just a few days, and the presence of the acting Russian ambassador, Sergey Kuzin, at the launch, representing the Russian government [1].
As the training progresses and the project unfolds, it will be interesting to see whether CyberDom lives up to expectations and becomes a game-changer in Zimbabwe's digital landscape.
[1] Tawanda Musarurwa, "Cyberus to train 800 Zimbabweans in cybersecurity for free," Financial Gazette, 1st August 2023, https://www.financialgazette.co.zw/cyberus-to-train-800-zimbabweans-in-cybersecurity-for-free/
[2] John Makumbi, "Cyberus launches $100m cybersecurity training and ecosystem project in Zimbabwe," Techzim, 2nd August 2023, https://www.techzim.co.zw/2023/08/cyberus-launches-100m-cybersecurity-training-and-ecosystem-project-in-zimbabwe/
[3] "Cyberus and Redzone Digital partner to launch CyberDom in Zimbabwe," Techbuzz Africa, 3rd August 2023, https://techbuzzafrica.com/cyberus-and-redzone-digital-partner-to-launch-cyberdom-in-zimbabwe/
By partnering with Redzone Digital, Cyberus aims to leverage technology in the education-and-self-development sector, offering free cybersecurity training to over 800 Zimbabwean youths. This initiative, in tandem with global job placement opportunities and the potential for advanced training, could significantly contribute to Zimbabwe's finance industry by fostering a skilled workforce in technology.
