Urban Youth Engagement with Cybersecurity Workshops: Skill Acquisition and Future Prospects Analysis

Urban youth in South Sudan are increasingly targeted by cyber threats due to growing internet access but limited cybersecurity awareness and skills. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including pre- and post-workshop assessments (n=50) using Likert scale surveys for quantitative data, and thematic analysis of qualitative interview transcripts for qualitative insights. Participants demonstrated significant improvement in cybersecurity knowledge from pre to post-workshop (p < 0.01). Themes emerged highlighting the importance of mentorship and continuous learning opportunities for sustained engagement. Workshops effectively enhanced youth cybersecurity literacy but require ongoing support to foster sustainable career development in this field. Develop long-term mentorship programmes and provide resources for continued education, especially through partnerships with local tech companies.