Securing the
Global South -
one career at
a time.

A network of cybersecurity academies across Southern Africa and Latin America, turning a skills gap into opportunity.

HIRE OUR TALENT

FUND A STUDENT

PARTNER WITH US

400+

Graduates across 13+ countries

3–5x

Graduates enter earning 3–5x local median household income

1,5%

Reducing major cyber incidents could increase GDP per capita in developing economies by up to 1.5%.

Why we exist

Passion for Digital Youth Enablement

Grounded in the Global South: collaborative not duplicative, practical and job-focused, inclusive, sustainable, scalable

Power by Unity: pooling resources to cut training costs, share grant strategies, and build a global talent pipeline.

Mobile-first advantage: graduates train on the front lines of mobile security and FinTech defense, not legacy systems.

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

JOIN US

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

Global Need for Cyber Expertise

Cybersecurity expertise is the second-most significant resilience challenge for NGOs (51%) and the public sector (57%) globally.*

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.*

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

Quinn May

South Africa

Quinn May was introduced to the MiDO journey during his high school years. He joined MiDO Academy in 2023, where he emerged as a standout participant in the programme, soon taking on a mentorship role among his peers.

Quinn now works as a full time security analyst at Integrity360 and mentors new MiDO interns entering the intern programme.

Rita

Mexico

Before joining the academy, I had no knowledge of cybersecurity. I never imagined that to be my profession.

Today, I apply what I’ve learned to create safer digital spaces for everyone, incorporating best practices and raising awareness in the projects and

communities I work with.

The academy not only gave me technical tools, but also a new perspective on my role as a professional in building safer and more inclusive digital environments.

Gustavo Rosales

Guatemala

“I grew up in a rural community in Petén, Guatemala, where opportunities were limited, granting me a cybersecurity scholarship that built the foundation of my career.

This opportunity opened the door to SISAP as a SOC Analyst, turning lifelong dreams into a growing reality ”

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.

Byron
Guatemala

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.

Get Involved

Sponsor a Student’s Journey

Scholarships: Cover tuition and certification fees for a student at one of our member academies.
The "Cyber Kit": Fund the hardware, data, and lab access a student needs to learn from anywhere.
Bridge to Work: Sponsor a "Final Mile" internship or apprenticeship to guarantee job readiness.

For Philanthropy: Invest in High-Impact NGOs

Sponsor our member NGOs to scale from local "Quick Wins" to Global Impact.
Infrastructure & Tools: Provide the grants needed for local academies to access unified labs and curricula.
Capacity Building: Sponsor a Shared Grant Writer or Alumni Coordinator to serve all member NGOs.

For Employers: Access Our Talent Pipeline

Direct Hiring: Join our Employer Consortium for first-look access to graduates from all member academies.
Remote Internships: Host Work Exposure Projects to integrate bilingual technical talent into your teams.
Mentorship and Skills transfer: Plug your experts into our Cross-Border Mentoring Program to shape the next generation of pros.

For Tech Partners: Empower Local Academies

Software Sponsorship: Provide Lab & License access directly to our network..
CTF Competitions: Partner with us to host Technical Challenges and games across out members
Mentorship and Skills transfer: Plug your experts into our Cross-Border Mentoring Program to shape the next generation of pros.

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.

MiDO Academy

IRSI Academy - Guatemala

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.

Visit IRSI

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.

Visit Batuta

Absa Academy - South Africa

Par t of a major financial ser vices sector, Absa Academy brings deep exper tise in

behavioral skills and industry specific cybersecurity needs. Since 2019, the Absa academy team 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 financial industry.

Absa Academy

CONTACT US

Info@GlobalSouthCan.org

Contact

Securing the Global South - one career at a time.