Algeria Cybersecurity Skills: The CISSP & CEH Push

Published April 7, 2026 · by ALGERIATECH Editorial

⚡ Key Takeaways

Algeria recorded 70 million cyberattacks in 2024, ranking 17th globally, and has responded with a dedicated National School of Cybersecurity (inaugurated September 2024), mandatory cybersecurity units in all public institutions under Decree 26-07, and 285,000 vocational training places for 2026. The ISC2 Algeria Chapter and OWASP Algiers are building the CISSP/CEH certification pipeline, though ISC2 removed CEH from CISSP experience waivers effective April 2026.

Bottom Line: Algeria’s cybersecurity certification infrastructure is maturing rapidly, but whether it can produce and retain enough certified professionals to meet the demand created by new regulatory mandates will determine the country’s digital security posture for the next decade.

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🧭 Decision Radar

Relevance for Algeria
High
▾

Algeria recorded 70 million cyberattacks in 2024 and has responded with a national school, mandatory cybersecurity units, and 285,000 training places. The workforce development push is directly shaping career opportunities and enterprise security posture.

Action Timeline
Immediate
▾

The National School is already operational, Decree 26-07 mandates are in effect, and 285,000 training places open in February 2026. Career and hiring decisions should happen now.

Key Stakeholders
IT professionals, university students, cybersecurity training providers, government CISOs, enterprise security teams

Decision Type
Strategic
▾

Building a cybersecurity workforce is a multi-year investment that shapes Algeria’s digital sovereignty, talent retention, and economic competitiveness for the coming decade.

Priority Level
High
▾

The convergence of regulatory mandates, institutional buildout, and 70 million annual cyberattacks creates urgent demand for certified professionals that Algeria’s current pipeline cannot yet fully meet.

Quick Take: Algerian IT professionals should pursue ISC2 CC as an entry point, then advance to CEH or CISSP. Note that CEH no longer waives CISSP experience as of April 2026. Organizations should budget for employee certification programs and engage with the ISC2 Algeria Chapter and OWASP Algiers for community support and training access.

70 Million Attacks and a National Response

Algeria recorded over 70 million cyberattacks in 2024, ranking 17th globally among most-targeted nations. More than 13 million phishing attempts were blocked. These figures explain why the country is accelerating cybersecurity workforce development at an unprecedented pace.

On December 30, 2025, President Tebboune signed Presidential Decree No. 25-321, formally approving Algeria’s National Cybersecurity Strategy for 2025-2029. A week later, Presidential Decree No. 26-07 established cybersecurity units within all public institutions. These decrees carry the force of law, creating immediate demand for certified professionals.

The strategy’s workforce pillars include mandatory security audits for critical infrastructure, 285,000 new vocational training places for 2026 including cybersecurity certification programs, sector-specific regulations for banking, healthcare, and energy, and university curriculum reform.

Algeria’s National School of Cybersecurity

The most consequential development is the National School of Cybersecurity in Sidi Abdellah. Created by presidential decree in June 2024, the school was inaugurated on September 24, 2024 by Minister of Higher Education Kamal Baddari, opening its doors for the 2024-2025 academic year.

This is a 100% cybersecurity-focused institution under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, designed to train engineers and doctoral researchers with specialized scientific and technical skills. Unlike cybersecurity tracks within broader programs, the school represents a dedicated institution with a single mission.

The National School of Artificial Intelligence (ENSIA), also in Sidi Abdellah, provides a model for what focused national schools can achieve. ENSIA has already gained recognition in global university rankings, demonstrating that Algeria can build specialized institutions that earn international credibility.

The Certification Pipeline

Algeria’s cybersecurity professionals are increasingly pursuing internationally recognized certifications.

ISC2 Algeria Chapter. The El Djazair Chapter organizes ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) training sessions in partnership with OWASP Algiers, building entry-level skills that lead to advanced certifications. Algeria now has a Pearson test center (Formini) for ISC2 certification exams, removing a historical barrier that required professionals to travel abroad for testing.

CEH Training. Certified Ethical Hacker preparation is available through regional providers including SecureValley, active in North Africa. However, a significant change took effect April 1, 2026: ISC2 removed CEH from the CISSP experience waiver list, meaning CEH holders can no longer use that certification to waive one year of CISSP’s five-year experience requirement.

CISSP Pipeline. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional remains the gold standard for security leadership. While exact numbers of Algerian CISSP holders are not publicly available, the ISC2 chapter’s activities and growing certification infrastructure suggest an expanding pipeline.

CompTIA Security+. As a vendor-neutral entry point, Security+ aligns well with the government’s vocational training expansion and serves as a practical first step before pursuing CISSP or CEH.

Algeria as a Cybersecurity Services Hub

An emerging narrative positions Algeria as a competitive cybersecurity outsourcing destination. According to Systelium, Algeria is “rapidly becoming a key player in cybersecurity across the MENA region and beyond” thanks to skilled talent, strong academic foundations, and cost competitiveness.

The economics are compelling. Algerian cybersecurity professionals command significantly lower salaries than European counterparts while holding equivalent certifications. For companies seeking compliance with GDPR, NIS2, and other frameworks, Algerian talent offers quality at a fraction of domestic hiring costs.

The State of Algerian Software Engineering 2024 survey found that 22% of Algerian tech professionals work remotely for foreign companies. This remote work trend creates a natural pathway for Algeria to export cybersecurity services in vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, SOC monitoring, and compliance auditing.

The Brain Drain Challenge

The positive trends coexist with a persistent challenge: talent emigration. The survey identified “lack of recognition or career growth opportunities” and “insufficient government support for the tech industry” as primary challenges.

The government’s strategy acknowledges this directly, with a target to reduce tech talent emigration by 40% as part of Digital Algeria 2030. The cybersecurity units mandated by Presidential Decree 26-07 could help by creating visible, prestigious roles within government institutions.

Addressing brain drain requires more than training programs. It requires competitive compensation, clear career pathways, and a professional environment where cybersecurity work is valued and recognized.

Community and Ecosystem Building

Beyond formal programs, Algeria’s cybersecurity community grows through grassroots initiatives. The OWASP Algiers Chapter organizes meetups, workshops, and CTF competitions. National CTF events at institutions like the Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Informatique identify talent early. Secura North Africa connects local professionals with international vendors and employers.

These activities build the networks and professional identity that keep talent engaged locally rather than looking abroad.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What cybersecurity certifications are most relevant for Algerian professionals?

The primary pathway is ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) as an entry point, CompTIA Security+ for vendor-neutral fundamentals, EC-Council CEH for penetration testing, and ISC2 CISSP for security leadership. Algeria now has a Pearson test center for ISC2 exams. Note that as of April 2026, CEH no longer qualifies for the CISSP one-year experience waiver.

Is Algeria’s National School of Cybersecurity already open?

Yes. The National School of Cybersecurity in Sidi Abdellah was inaugurated on September 24, 2024, and opened for the 2024-2025 academic year. It is a 100% cybersecurity-focused institution under the Ministry of Higher Education, training engineers and doctoral researchers with specialized technical skills.

How large is the demand for cybersecurity professionals in Algeria?

Algeria recorded over 70 million cyberattacks in 2024 and blocked 13 million phishing attempts. Presidential Decree 26-07 mandates cybersecurity units in all public institutions, creating immediate government demand. The private sector also needs certified professionals for compliance with new data protection and sector-specific regulations, while the international outsourcing market offers remote opportunities.