JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 27, 2025 – CompTIA is taking an active role in addressing the global cybersecurity skills shortage by sponsoring the #SS25HACK hackathon in South Africa, providing students with a platform to test and enhance their cybersecurity capabilities in real-world scenarios.
The 24-hour cybersecurity marathon brings together students from across South Africa to work in teams developing innovative security solutions. Participants will focus specifically on using artificial intelligence to create tools that can predict, detect, and mitigate cyber threats in real-time.
"The hackathon is the ideal proving ground for aspiring cybersecurity professionals to test their mettle in real-world scenarios, and to be mentored by experienced cyber leaders," said Loraine Vorster, vice president, Sub-Saharan Africa, CompTIA.
Dr. James Stanger, CompTIA's chief technology evangelist, will serve as one of the judges evaluating the teams' submissions. "It's amazing to witness the energy and creativity that students bring to the Hackathon," said Stanger, who will assess how effectively participants leverage AI to create adaptive security systems.
The initiative aligns with findings from CompTIA's 2025 State of Cybersecurity report, which identified skills gaps as a primary hurdle for organizations implementing robust security measures. The report revealed that 56% of firms plan to pursue training for their cybersecurity workforce, while 42% intend to offer cybersecurity certifications to establish core competencies.
Top performers in the hackathon will receive valuable recognition, with the three highest-achieving teams each awarded a one-year free individual membership to the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA). This opportunity provides students with professional connections that could prove invaluable as they enter a job market where cybersecurity expertise is in high demand.