ITSEC Asia has launched the ITSEC Cyber & AI Academy in Jakarta, positioning it as a practice-based training initiative aimed at growing Indonesia’s cybersecurity and artificial intelligence workforce as demand rises across the country’s digital economy.
The company said the academy was launched at a ceremony at its headquarters attended by Indonesian government and national institution representatives, including Nezar Patria, Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs; Edwin Hidayat, Director General of Digital Ecosystem at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs; Stella Christie, Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology; Tiar Nabilla Karbala, Special Staff to the President for MSMEs and Digital Technology; and Air Vice Marshal I Ketut S. Wahyu Wijaya, Commander of the Indonesian Air Force Cyber Unit, representing the Air Force Chief of Staff.
In the press release, ITSEC Asia linked the academy’s launch to the growing need for professionals who can develop and secure technology as digitalisation and AI adoption accelerate. It said organisations increasingly require staff who can address cyber threats, test system resilience, build AI-based solutions, and understand related security and governance requirements.
“Indonesia will need around 9 million digital talents by 2030, while today we have only around 3 million. This gap cannot be addressed by the government alone. Strong collaboration between government, industry and educational institutions is needed to prepare the talent Indonesia needs as the digital economy continues to grow. Initiatives such as ITSEC Cyber & AI Academy can contribute to this effort by strengthening talent readiness in cybersecurity and AI,” said Nezar Patria.
ITSEC Asia said the academy draws on its 16 years of cybersecurity experience, translating that work into learning programmes designed to build job-relevant capabilities. Patrick Dannacher, President Director of ITSEC Asia, said the company was extending its operational experience into talent development and framed the academy as part of a broader commitment to Indonesia’s digital capability-building.
“Indonesia has a major strength in the form of data. But data only becomes a strategic strength when we have the capability to protect it and use it effectively. AI can help us address challenges that matter to Indonesia, but that requires talent that understands both the technology and the data behind it,” said Stella Christie.
The academy is structured around two tracks: “Defend & Attack” for cybersecurity, and “Build & Govern” for AI. ITSEC Asia said the cybersecurity stream is intended to develop both defensive and offensive perspectives, while the AI stream focuses on building, deploying and managing AI while considering security and governance.
Yulius C. Rusli, President Director of ITSEC Cyber & AI Academy, said the programme includes assessments, adaptive learning and simulations, supported by a technology ecosystem that the company said covers competency identification through to cyber range exercises and awareness training.
Alongside the academy, ITSEC Asia highlighted an initiative called ITSEC CyberTalent, aimed at supporting young Indonesians with cybersecurity potential through learning access, mentorship and industry experience. The company said it is supporting a student from Central Java, Ibrahim Al Abrar, who received a letter of appreciation from NASA after reporting a vulnerability through NASA’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy programme, with equipment, private training and a potential internship subject to requirements being met.
