Cybersecurity has the Egyptian state's attention and has been at the top of its priorities for years. Its importance grows with every step toward digital transformation, as it guarantees the security and efficient continuity of digital services and critical infrastructure.

As the world marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is reviewing a long record of work to protect Egypt's digital future and build the talent capable of safeguarding it.

A well-established system built over the years

National cybersecurity work rests on an integrated governance system. The Supreme Cybersecurity Council, the highest national authority in the field, is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure, securing digital assets and ensuring business continuity. The council is guided by the National Cybersecurity Strategy, which sets a unified national approach to managing cyber risks based on governance, awareness, capacity building, scientific research, innovation and international cooperation.

The strategy has guided national efforts since 2017. Its first edition (2017-2021) set up the institutional and operational frameworks and helped Egypt top the list of African countries on the 2017 Global Cybersecurity Index and reach 23rd place worldwide in 2020. The current strategy (2023-2027) continues to build on these foundations.

At the operational level, the Egyptian Computer Emergency Readiness Team (EG-CERT) turns the strategy into reality, leading efforts in cyber incident response, threat monitoring, digital forensics, vulnerability management, cybersecurity assessments and critical infrastructure protection. Its role goes beyond defense: it contributes to national capacity-building initiatives through specialized training, awareness campaigns, cyber drills and partnerships with government bodies, universities and the private sector, raising institutional readiness and supporting the availability of qualified national talent.

The results

This sustained work has earned growing regional and international recognition and produced tangible results, most notably:

  • More than 760 cyber defense operations carried out nationwide in 2025.

  • Egypt ranked in Tier 1 with a score of 100% on the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index issued by the International Telecommunication Union.

  • Signing the UN Convention against Cybercrime, crowning the active role Egypt has played in negotiations to draft the convention since 2021.

  • Egypt was selected among the most outstanding Arab countries in cybersecurity readiness at the 2025 Information Security and Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition.

  • Winning the Arab Excellence Shield, awarded by the Arab ICT Organization in cooperation with Mercury Communications.

  • First place in numerous regional and international cyber drills.

  • Strengthened compliance with international standards, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluation.

Capacity building across all ages and career stages

Behind these results is a long-term vision that puts capacity building and skills development first. The Ministry of Communications and its affiliated bodies run programs that accompany citizens from childhood, through their careers, to founding their own businesses.

For young people, the Cybersecurity Academy for Youth, run by the National Telecommunication Institute in cooperation with EG-CERT and several partners, teaches cybersecurity principles and safe internet behavior through tracks suited to different age groups, ranging from interactive games to hands-on training and "Capture the Flag" competitions. The academy recently graduated its third cohort of more than 6,000 trainees from across Egypt's governorates, up from 1,496 trainees in the first cohort and 5,016 in the second.

Learning does not stop there; it extends to more advanced levels through the Information Technology Institute's Cybersecurity Academy on the "Maharatech" platform. The academy offers training tracks that range from online safety basics to specialized training and career preparation in the field, serving all age groups and skill levels, from school students and beginners to developers and IT professionals.

For those moving from acquiring skills to building a career or launching a business, the "We Innovate" program offers an integrated path for professional development, innovation and entrepreneurship. The program is run by Telecom Egypt in cooperation with EG-CERT, with support from the National Telecom Regulatory Authority. It includes specialized cybersecurity training, a national hackathon to build solutions to real-world problems, and an accelerator supporting startups working to protect Egypt's critical information infrastructure.

Awareness that reaches every citizen

The cybersecurity system is not complete with specialists alone, as responsibility for digital security rests with everyone. To that end, the National Telecom Regulatory Authority continues to raise citizens' awareness across the governorates through its "Know your rights and services, protect your device and data" campaign.

The campaign aims to raise digital awareness among state administrative staff and all segments of society, informing them of ways to use technology safely and protect their devices and personal data. It includes awareness sessions covering cybersecurity basics, personal data protection and ways to guard against cyber risks, along with interactive discussions that give citizens the chance to ask questions and share their concerns.

Looking ahead:

As cyber threats keep evolving and digital services keep expanding, the Ministry of Communications and its affiliated bodies continue to develop Egypt's cybersecurity system by updating policies and technical protection mechanisms, investing in training young people and building talent, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and raising awareness across society, ensuring a secure digital environment capable of meeting future challenges.

To mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Ministry of Communications invites all citizens to take part in awareness events and training programs and to help build a safer digital future for Egypt.