SKILLS

This will include hackathons and other hands-on learning experiences designed to give participants practical exposure to emerging technologies and cybersecurity challenges.

Announced at GISEC Global 2026, the initiative will provide learners across the UAE with access to more than 1,000 courses through IBM SkillsBuild, IBM’ s free technology education programme.

The courses cover areas including AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, project management and workplace skills, with learners also able to earn industry-recognised digital credentials.

The programme will target five groups: high school students, university students, entry-level employees, government employees and participants in the Start-up and Innovation Track.

As part of the initiative, IBM and the UAE Cyber Security Council will work together to expand access to IBM SkillsBuild through the Council’ s ecosystem, including CyberE71 and relevant national platforms. The organisations will also explore opportunities to extend the initiative through the Council’ s regional and international networks.

The collaboration is designed to connect learning with real-world cybersecurity challenges. Through engagement with universities and the Council’ s wider ecosystem, students will have opportunities to apply their skills to practical challenges drawn from industry and the evolving cyber threat landscape.

The initiative supports the UAE’ s broader focus on developing futureready talent and strengthening national cybersecurity capabilities. Under the‘ We the UAE 2031’ vision, the country aims to rank among the world’ s top three in the Global Cybersecurity Index and among the top 10 countries globally for attracting talent.

National skills platforms are already operating at scale. Jahiz provides structured learning pathways aimed at strengthening the readiness of federal government employees, while Emiratis have enrolled in Nafis programmes focused on competencies, work experience and employment training.

“ Building national capabilities in cybersecurity and advanced technologies requires skills that can be applied in the real world,” said His Excellency Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government.“ By connecting learning with practical challenges and expanding its reach across the UAE, this initiative can help strengthen the talent pipeline that underpins the country’ s cybersecurity readiness.”

The initiative also comes as AI continues to reshape jobs and workforce requirements. According to a global IBM Institute for Business Value study, surveyed CEOs expect 53 % of employees to require upskilling between 2026 and 2028, while 83 % believe successful AI adoption depends more on people embracing the technology than on the technology itself.

“ As technology reshapes jobs and skills requirements, access to practical learning becomes increasingly important,” said Shukri Eid, General Manager, IBM Gulf, Levant and Pakistan.“ Through IBM SkillsBuild, we aim to equip learners with relevant skills and credentials that can support their education, careers and participation in the digital economy.”

The initiative contributes to IBM’ s global commitment to skill 30 million people by 2030. As of June 2026, IBM said it had reached more than 22 million people through IBM SkillsBuild and other programmes.

It also builds on an existing agreement between the UAE Cyber Security Council and IBM covering talent development and national cybersecurity capabilities.

28 WWW. INTELLIGENTCISO. COM / MIDDLE-EAST