By: Bashir Dhore
Since 2020, I’ve been returning to Somalia to lead cybersecurity workshops. Every trip, every session—same mission: to share my knowledge, help cultivate local talent, and hopefully ignite something greater: a vibrant, engaged cybersecurity community.
Yet every time, I notice the same thing. The room is filled with students.
Bright, motivated young people—some still in university, others recently graduated. They arrive on time, ask thoughtful questions, and linger afterward. They are eager to learn, and honestly, their energy keeps me inspired.
But there’s one question I keep asking myself:
Where are the professionals?
Where are the people already working in IT? The ones managing networks in banks, running systems in government, maintaining infrastructure in telecom? Where are those with years of experience? Why aren’t they here?
I don’t ask this to criticize anyone. I ask because I genuinely want professionals to be part of the conversation.
I don’t come to these sessions just to teach—I come to learn as well. I want to hear how others are solving problems, what tools they’re using, and what lessons they’ve learned on the job. I don’t want to be the only one sharing. I want us to grow together.
But when experienced professionals stay away, we all lose something.
What I’ve observed is a mindset that continuing education is only for beginners. Once someone lands a job or earns a title, they assume they’ve done enough. Some even fear that attending a workshop might make them appear inexperienced.
That mindset is holding us back.
Even at events hosted by the Somali Cybersecurity Community—a local nonprofit dedicated to awareness and education—the same pattern emerges. Students fill the seats. When senior IT professionals attend, it’s often just to make an appearance, not out of genuine interest.
But here’s the truth:
Cybersecurity doesn’t care about your job title
Threats don’t stop evolving just because you’ve stopped learning. The tools change. Attacks become more sophisticated. The risks keep growing. If you’re not learning, you’re falling behind.
In the U.S., continuous learning is woven into the professional culture. From entry-level analysts to C-level executives, professionals regularly attend webinars, join workshops, and stay updated on the latest threats. No one pretends to know everything. Most certifications even require ongoing education. Personally, I make it a point to attend at least three events every month.
Meanwhile, in Somalia, experienced professionals often don’t participate, leaving students to fill the gap. They do their best, but without mentorship, they’re left to figure things out on their own.
This creates a cycle:
- Students learn the basics, then start teaching.
- No experienced mentors are around to guide them.
- The quality remains low. Real progress stalls.
We can’t build a strong cybersecurity ecosystem this way.
If you’re already working in IT, you have something valuable to contribute—not just to others, but to yourself. Don’t let your title convince you that you’ve arrived. Show up. Ask questions. Share what you know. Stay curious. This isn’t about proving you’re smart; it’s about becoming smarter together.
We need more than individual experts. We need a connected, humble, and committed community—one where people support each other, challenge each other, and rise together.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical field; it’s a shared responsibility. For Somalia to achieve real resilience in the digital age, we need more than ambition—we need collaboration. We need professionals to step forward, not only to lead, but to learn, mentor, and grow alongside others.
Progress won’t come from isolated efforts. It will come from a culture of openness, humility, and commitment to continuous learning. If we want to build a cybersecurity ecosystem that endures, we must all show up together.
About the Author
Bashir Dhore is a CISSP-certified cybersecurity professional and Certified Digital Forensics Examiner with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Operations. He specializes in Threat Detection, Incident Response, and Digital Forensics (DFIR).