Riyadh has taken center stage in global cybersecurity once again. On October 1, 2025, during the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) Annual Meeting in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United Nations (UN), unveiled the Global Initiative for Capacity Building in Cyberspace. The program is designed to tackle one of the world’s most pressing digital challenges: the widening cybersecurity skills gap and the global shortage of professionals needed to secure an increasingly connected world.
According to GCF and UN officials, the initiative responds directly to findings from the GCF 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report, which revealed a 2.8 million global shortage of cybersecurity professionals and noted that 43% of information security executives cite persistent skills gaps as a major organizational risk.
The initiative will focus on practical, hands-on development programs, including:
- Expert-led workshops and training
- International cyber simulations and drills
- Policy development support
- Collaborative research and development
These efforts will target a wide range of beneficiaries-from policy practitioners and law enforcement to cyber diplomats-helping nations move beyond theory into effective action.
Implementation and Global Reach
Leadership of the initiative rests with Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF). Execution will be carried out in partnership with several UN agencies, including UNDP, UNODA, UNODC, UNICRI, UNIDIR, ITU, as well as INTERPOL and a wide coalition of international stakeholders. This multilateral approach underscores the shared responsibility of cyberspace governance and the urgency of strengthening resilience worldwide.
Statements of Commitment
H.E. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, Governor of the NCA, emphasized the Kingdom’s role:
“Saudi Arabia’s partnership with the United Nations to advance global cybersecurity capacity building is testament to a shared commitment to driving progress for the benefit of people, societies, and nations.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed this sentiment, noting:
“In our interconnected world, Cyberspace is essential for innovation and opportunity. At the same time, vulnerabilities can undermine trust, disrupt societies, and threaten peace. We must act together to ensure Cyberspace serves the common good—by investing in people, building skills, and fostering inclusion.”
Regional and Global Significance
For the Middle East and Africa (MEA), where digital transformation is advancing rapidly, this initiative represents a crucial opportunity to strengthen human capital, improve cyber resilience, and ensure sustainable growth. Many nations in the region face acute workforce shortages, making access to international training and cooperation essential.
Globally, the initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to lead multilateral cyber collaboration. Previous Saudi-led global projects under the GCF banner include Child Protection in Cyberspace and Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity, both launched under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
10 Recommended Actions for Security Teams Worldwide:
- Prioritize cybersecurity training and invest in workforce development.
- Establish continuous training and awareness programs for staff.
- Strengthen collaboration with international cyber capacity initiatives.
- Conduct regular cyber drills and simulations to test readiness.
- Develop and update cybersecurity policies aligned with global standards.
- Leverage Saintynet Cybersecurity services for risk management and resilience.
- Build cross-functional cyber teams with diverse skill sets.
- Monitor evolving UN and GCF frameworks for compliance and best practices.
- Encourage public-private partnerships to expand cyber capacity.
- Engage in regional initiatives through platforms like Cybercory to share insights and best practices.
Conclusion:
The launch of the Global Initiative for Capacity Building in Cyberspace marks a major milestone in addressing the cybersecurity skills shortage. By bringing together the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UN, and a coalition of international partners, the initiative seeks to transform global capacity building into a shared mission. For governments, businesses, and communities, the message is clear: strengthening cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge it is a collective responsibility to secure the digital future for all.
