Cybersecurity Expert in Antakya
My Cybersecurity community meetup , was covered nearly in every newspaper and web site, as you can see below
Antakya Gazetesi
Antakya (Turkish pronunciation: [ɑnˈtɑkjɑ]), historically known as Antioch (Greek: Ἀντιόχεια, Armenian: Andiok – Անտիոք), is the capital of Hatay Province, the southernmost province of Turkey. The city is located in a well-watered and fertile valley on the Orontes River, about 20 kilometers (12 mi) from the Levantine Sea.
Today’s city stands partly on the site of the ancient Antiochia (Ancient Greek: Ἀντιόχεια, Antiókheia, also known as “Antioch on the Orontes”), which was founded in the 4th century BC by the Seleucid Empire. Antioch later became one of the Roman Empire’s largest cities, and was made the capital of the provinces of Syria and Coele-Syria. It was also an influential early center of Christianity, and gained much ecclesiastical importance in the Byzantine Empire. Captured by Umar ibn al-Khattab in the 7th century, the medieval Antakiyah (Arabic: أنطاكية, ʾAnṭākiya) was conquered or re-conquered several times: by the Byzantines in 969, the Seljuks in 1084,[3] the Crusaders in 1098,[4] the Mamluks in 1268,[5] and eventually the Ottomans in 1517,[ who would integrate it to the Aleppo Eyalet then to the Aleppo Vilayet. The city joined the Hatay State under the French Mandate before joining the Turkish Republic.
CISO Insight
Cybersecurity education must reach beyond the major tech hubs. Some of the most talented security professionals I have mentored came from regions with limited access to international conferences and training. Bringing knowledge to communities that do not typically get it is not just altruism — it expands the global talent pool that every organisation desperately needs.
Why Local Cybersecurity Engagement Matters
The cybersecurity skills gap is a global problem, but it hits hardest in regions outside the established tech centres. While cities like London, Dubai, Singapore, and San Francisco host dozens of security conferences each year, many communities have limited access to hands-on cybersecurity training and expert practitioners. Bringing practical cybersecurity knowledge to these communities — through local meetups, university engagements, and community workshops — helps build a pipeline of talent that the industry critically needs.
Turkey, where Antakya is located, has a rapidly growing technology sector and increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals. The country faces sophisticated threat actors ranging from financially motivated cybercriminals to nation-state groups, and the regulatory environment is evolving to address these challenges. Local engagement events help bridge the gap between the global security community and regional practitioners who are defending critical systems on the ground.
Building Cybersecurity Capabilities in Emerging Markets
The most effective way to develop cybersecurity capabilities in emerging markets is through a combination of international knowledge transfer and local capacity building. International experts can bring global perspective and best practices. Local universities can integrate cybersecurity into their curricula. Government agencies can establish national cybersecurity frameworks that create demand for skilled professionals. And industry can invest in internship and apprenticeship programmes that give aspiring security professionals hands-on experience in real operational environments.
What I have found consistently across my speaking engagements in more than 50 countries is that the enthusiasm and raw talent in emerging markets often exceeds what you find in established tech centres. What these communities typically lack is not ability — it is access: access to training, mentorship, tools, and professional networks. Every engagement that bridges this access gap strengthens the global cybersecurity ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can aspiring cybersecurity professionals in developing regions get started?
Start with free resources: online courses from SANS Cyber Aces, Cybrary, and Coursera; capture-the-flag platforms like HackTheBox and TryHackMe for hands-on practice; and open-source tools for building home labs. Join online communities and local tech meetups. Pursue vendor-neutral certifications like CompTIA Security+ as an entry point. Many international organisations now offer remote internship opportunities that were not available before the pandemic normalised remote work.
What cybersecurity career paths offer the most opportunity globally?
Cloud security, application security, and incident response are the three domains with the highest global demand and the most accessible entry points. GRC (governance, risk, and compliance) roles are also in high demand, particularly for professionals who can bridge technical and business stakeholders. Specialisations in AI security and OT/ICS security are emerging as premium skill areas with limited supply.
Related reading: For comprehensive career guidance, visit our Become a CISO roadmap or explore the CISO Career Hub.