Cybersecurity professionals from across Eastern and Southern Africa convened in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 11–15 May 2026 for a five-day regional cybersecurity training workshop, aimed at strengthening cyber resilience among UbuntuNet Alliance member National Research and Education Networks (NRENs). The training, organized by UbuntuNet Alliance, is part of the regional capacity-building programme implemented under the AfricaConnect4 project, which is co-funded by the European Union.
The training, titled Cybersecurity Operations and Security Assessment Masterclass, convened 26 participants from 15 countries represented by UbuntuNet Alliance member NRENs, namely Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Throughout the programme, participants explored critical areas of cybersecurity that are increasingly important for protecting NRENs from evolving digital threats. The training, facilitated by industry cybersecurity experts from Salaam Technologies, covered cybersecurity governance, legal and regulatory compliance, vulnerability assessments, Open-Source Intelligence, cloud security, enterprise infrastructure protection, threat detection, and incident response methodologies. Participants also examined emerging cybersecurity threats and advanced threat hunting techniques aimed at strengthening institutional preparedness against sophisticated cyberattacks.
A key highlight of the workshop was its strong emphasis on practical learning. Participants engaged in hands-on laboratory sessions covering web application security, wireless security, database security, Active Directory security, operating system hardening, and AI security. Through simulated attack scenarios and guided exercises, attendees practiced identifying vulnerabilities, analyzing threats, and implementing mitigation measures using industry-standard tools and methodologies. The practical approach helped participants translate theoretical knowledge into real-world cybersecurity skills applicable within their institutions.
Beyond technical training, the workshop provided an important platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among cybersecurity professionals from across the region. Participants actively shared experiences and discussed common cybersecurity challenges affecting their member institutions, including phishing attacks, ransomware threats, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the growing sophistication of cybercriminal activities targeting academic and research networks. The interactions strengthened professional networks and reinforced the importance of regional cooperation in cybersecurity threat intelligence sharing and coordinated incident response.
The UbuntuNet Alliance Projects Manager, Mr. Eliakim Okundi, had this to say while closing the workshop: “Overall, the NREN regional workshop successfully achieved its objective of strengthening cybersecurity knowledge, practical skills development, and regional collaboration among the UbuntuNet Alliance member NRENs. As cyber threats continue to evolve and increasingly target research and education institutions worldwide, initiatives such as this training are expected to play a critical role in improving Africa’s cybersecurity resilience and safeguarding digital infrastructures that support teaching, learning, and research across the continent.”