Why we exist
Passion for Digital Youth Enablement
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Grounded in the Global South: collaborative not duplicative, practical and job-focused, inclusive, sustainable, scalable
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Power by Unity: pooling resources to cut training costs, share grant strategies, and build a global talent pipeline.
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Mobile-first advantage: graduates train on the front lines of mobile security and FinTech defense, not legacy systems.
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Inclusion as a security strategy: our cohorts are 50% female, we strongly believe diverse teams are demonstrably better at catching complex threats.
Creating pathways out of poverty by empowering underserved youth with cybersecurity and professional skills and access to work opportunities; while addressing the cybersecurity skills shortage.
Our Vision
The Challenge
Growing online faster than we can protect it.
The Promise
Digital tools opening doors to banking, healthcare, education and government for millions who were previously locked out.
The unequal cost
Developing nations bear a disproportionate financial burden on top of existing economic strain.
The confidence gap
Preparedness is lowest in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, which face some of the highest exposure to cyber-enabled fraud.*
*Source: WEF Cyber Outlook Report 2026
The Opportunity
The world needs cyber defenders.
The Global South can answer.
*Source: WEF Cyber Outlook Report 2026
01
Global Need for Cyber Expertise
Cybersecurity expertise is the second-most significant resilience challenge for NGOs (51%) and the public sector (57%) globally.*
02
Gaps in LATAM and AFRICA
In Latin America & Caribbean only 35% of organisations have the cyber skills needed.*
In Sub Saharan Africa only 37% report having necessary skills.*
03
Secure a global role, lift an entire extended family out of poverty."
Graduates earn 3–5x local median income and reinvest international salaries locally.
Impact: Real Stories
Meet some of our graduates
Ncebakazi
South Africa
My name is Alexa Young
“I grew up in Willowvale, a rural town in the Eastern Cape, SA, and my journey into cybersecurity began when I came across an advertisement for the Absa Cybersecurity Academy at the Hein Wagner Academy. The academy provided me with valuable skills, hope and a sense of empowerment, which equipped me to grow both personally and professionally while creating opportunities for my family.
Today, I am proud to be a Junior Cybersecurity Specialist at Absa, a role that I find both fulfilling and deeply rewarding, as it allows me to contribute meaningfully while continuing to develop in the field.”
Byron
El Salvador
My name is Alexa Young
Faced with limited access to the cybersecurity sector, Byron previously viewed a career in cybersecurity as unreachable. The IRSI academy provided more than just technical skills; it offered a "confidence and team" support system that built the confidence necessary to pivot into a high-impact role.
Now successfully employed as a Forensic Analyst, his
journey illustrates how intentional recruitment of underrepresented talent creates life-changing upward mobility.
Thapelo
South Africa
My name is Alexa Young
Before joining the academy, Thapelo felt her career options were stagnant and with little professional growth. Through the program, she shifted from uncertainty to fostering a "digital defense" mindset.
Today, she is a working cybersecurity professional, contributing to South Africa's local economy while protecting critical infrastructure, proving that
specialized training provides an immediate pathway into the global knowledge economy.
Get Involved
About Us
Four academies. Three continents. One mission.
MiDO Academy - South Africa
Founded in 2023, MiDO Academy empowers South Africa’s underserved youth with cybersecurity and professional skills, helping them find meaningful employment within the tech industry.
IRSI Academy - LATAM
IRSI Academy provides a high-level technical specialization delivered by engineering experts, serving over 300 graduates across 13 countries. Their model features a synchronous vir tual campus, a dedicated Wellness and Culture program, and a competitive "Capture the Flag" (CTF) team, ensuring students are both technically proficient and professionally resilient.
Batuta Academy - Mexico
Batuta Cyber Academy focuses on talent attraction and outreach to young talent, specifically targeting women and non-traditional profiles across Latin America. By building strategic partnerships with NGOs, universities, and government stakeholders, they bridge the gap between technical subject-matter expertise and the soft skills required for high-impact roles in the region.
Absa Academy - South Africa
Part of a major financial services institution, Absa Cybersecurity Academy brings deep expertise in behavioural skills and industry-specific cybersecurity needs. Since 2019, they have pioneered tried-and-tested cyber solutions for youth development, including specialized programs for visually impaired individuals and a focus on long-term sustainable employment within the industry
