Qatar Launches 2025 Cyber Youth Camp to Build Digital Skills

Photo: Qatar News Agency

The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) of Qatar has officially launched the second edition of the Cyber Security Youth Summer Camp 2025, a national-level training initiative to educate young students in digital safety and cybersecurity skills. This year’s camp will run until August 7, 2025, and is being conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

Organized by the National Cyber Security Academy, the camp is designed to develop the cybersecurity skills of 400 students, aged 13 to 17, who come from both public and private schools in Qatar. Through this hands-on experience, the camp hopes to inspire students to explore future careers in cybersecurity, technology, and digital protection.

Vision: Creating a Skilled Digital Generation

Dalal Al Aqeedi, Assistant Director at the Cyber Security Policies and Strategies Department, said the youth camp reflects the Agency’s broader vision to attract and empower young digital talent. The goal is to help students build the technical skills and confidence needed to protect Qatar’s digital infrastructure.

“We aim to give young people both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience,” she stated. “This way, we can guide them toward technical and cybersecurity fields and better prepare them for the future digital workforce.”

She added that this initiative is also part of a larger national strategy to raise digital awareness and create a strong cybersecurity culture among young people, which is essential in today’s increasingly connected world.

Strategic Partnerships to Empower Young Minds

The initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, which sees this camp as an essential part of its Qatar National Youth Policy. Speaking on the occasion, Fawaz Al Musaifri, Director of the Youth Affairs Department, highlighted how the program supports the Qatar National Vision 2030—especially in the areas of education, innovation, technology, and youth development.

“Such programs provide Qatari youth with real opportunities to develop their skills,” he said. “They prepare them to become active participants in building a secure and innovative digital society.”

Where and How the Camp Is Conducted

The Cyber Youth Summer Camp 2025 is being held in two batches at the Qatar Secondary School for Science and Technology for Boys. Each batch will participate in the program for ten days, gaining valuable insight into the world of cybersecurity.

The training combines theory, practice, and experience-based learning. Students will attend:

• Expert-led theoretical lectures

• Hands-on cybersecurity training sessions

• Interactive workshops

• Guided field visits to relevant institutions

All sessions are supervised by certified cybersecurity professionals, ensuring that students get high-quality and industry-relevant learning.

Certification and Career Guidance for Participants

To recognize their learning, students who complete the program will receive accredited participation certificates. Some participants will even qualify for professional-level certificates, such as the eJPT (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester). This adds significant value to their educational journey and makes them more competitive in future academic or professional environments.

Beyond just technical learning, the academy also offers career guidance, helping students understand the job market in cybersecurity, the necessary skills, and various professional pathways available in the digital space.

Promoting Cyber Awareness from a Young Age

The program is not just about teaching technical skills—it’s also about spreading a broader message. By introducing young people to the concepts of online responsibility, digital ethics, and cyber threats, the camp aims to build a national culture of cyber awareness.

With the internet being an essential part of everyday life, it's important for younger generations to understand how to stay safe online, protect their data, and recognize potential threats. This makes the Cyber Youth Camp an important tool in Qatar’s efforts to develop a more secure and resilient society.

Nurturing Future Innovators and Cyber Experts

The camp is part of Qatar’s long-term strategy to invest in its youth. With the country moving rapidly toward a digitally advanced society, there’s a growing need for skilled professionals who understand cybersecurity challenges.

By equipping students early on, Qatar ensures that future leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs have a strong foundation in digital safety and technology. This approach also encourages students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, areas that are increasingly vital to national development.

Qatar Sets a Model for Cyber Education in the Region

The Cyber Youth Summer Camp 2025 sets an example for how countries can build cybersecurity capacity from the ground up. Instead of waiting for digital threats to grow, Qatar is taking a proactive approach, beginning with educating its youngest citizens.

Through strong partnerships between government, education, and youth agencies, the country is showing that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but a national priority that requires involvement from all levels of society.

A Future-Ready Generation

The launch of the Cyber Security Youth Summer Camp 2025 reflects Qatar’s deep commitment to youth development, education, and national cybersecurity. By targeting students as young as 13, the country is building a future workforce that is digitally skilled, security-aware, and ready to lead.

Through a mix of training, mentorship, and opportunity, the initiative empowers young Qataris to take their first steps toward becoming future defenders of the nation’s digital frontier.