Saudi Arabia Trains 35,000 in Cybersecurity Skills

Saudi Arabia just became home to the Middle East's first authorized training center for cutting-edge cybersecurity skills, and it's already changing lives at scale.

Exabeam, a leading cybersecurity company, partnered with Tuwaiq Academy to equip Saudi students with the practical skills needed to defend against modern digital threats. Since launching, Tuwaiq Academy has graduated more than 35,000 students, with over 80% securing employment within three months of completing their bootcamp training.

The program reaches 40,000 students across nine major universities, including King Saud University and University of Jeddah. Students gain hands-on experience with real-world cybersecurity challenges, not just theory from textbooks.

Exabeam will provide training content, expert instructors, and certification exam vouchers. Tuwaiq Academy handles program execution, marketing, and facilities, creating a streamlined path from classroom to career.

The timing couldn't be more critical. Saudi Arabia faces sophisticated cyber threats ranging from external attacks to AI-driven insider risks, requiring skilled human oversight to protect critical infrastructure.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership does more than train individuals. It's building an entire ecosystem of cybersecurity talent aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's digital transformation goals.

Selected Tuwaiq Academy candidates will become certified LogRhythm and Exabeam instructors themselves, creating a multiplier effect for knowledge transfer. Outstanding graduates gain direct employment pathways through the companies' partner networks, turning education into immediate opportunity.

Tuwaiq Academy already partners with over 60 major technology companies including Meta, Google, NVIDIA, Amazon, and Huawei. This new collaboration adds specialized cybersecurity expertise to an already impressive roster.

The program represents a deepening commitment to the Kingdom from Exabeam, which recently launched a dedicated Google Cloud region in Saudi Arabia, opened a regional office in Riyadh, and grew local revenue by 21% from 2024 to 2025.

Abdulaziz Alhammadi, CEO of Tuwaiq Academy, emphasized that empowering national talent with advanced technical capabilities sits at the center of everything they do. The partnership gives learners industry-recognized knowledge, practical experience, and clear routes into high-value careers.

As cyber threats grow more complex worldwide, Saudi Arabia is responding by investing in its most valuable asset: its people, equipped with the skills to protect the digital future.