• Algeria holds seminar to boost national cybersecurity skills

• Initiative aligns with national information systems security strategy

• Kaspersky reports 13 million phishing attempts in 2024

Algeria's Ministry of Vocational Training and Education held a national seminar on boosting cybersecurity skills on Tuesday in Algiers, in partnership with the Information Systems Security Agency. The seminar aims to build local expertise to protect the economy and public services from digital threats.

In her address, Minister of Vocational Training and Education Nassima Arhab said the seminar "is part of the National Information Systems Security Strategy and follows directives from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to tackle cybersecurity challenges." She also emphasized "the need to update training programs, strengthen the practical component and integrate modern technological tools to align training with labour market needs."

For Abdeslam Belghoul, director general of the Information Systems Security Agency, cyber threats "affect all state institutions and bodies, across all sectors, particularly those with sensitive information systems and citizens’ data."

According to the organizers, the initiative aims to "meet business needs and support the economy’s digital transition." The seminar comes as cyberattacks increase, targeting government agencies, public services and the private sector.

According to Kaspersky's "Africa Cyberthreat Landscape Report 2025," more than 13 million phishing attempts were blocked in Algeria in 2024, along with nearly 750,000 malicious attachments. The report also states that the country faced more than 125 million attacks involving infected files, highlighting the scale of the threat.

The trend has continued in 2025, with global data showing that an average of half a million malicious files are detected each day, showing threats are becoming more varied and frequent. These figures underscore the need to develop specialized skills and roll out appropriate systems to protect information systems.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou