HACKTRAIN: An Integrated Platform for Cybersecurity Skills Development in Azerbaijan

The Challenge: A Critical Skills Gap

The rapid digitalization of the economy in Azerbaijan, supported by initiatives like the 2023-2027 National Cybersecurity Strategy, has intensified the need for a highly skilled workforce in information security. However, a significant practical skills gap persists. Despite solid theoretical instruction in universities, young specialists often struggle to gain hands-on experience in real-world projects. The global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, confirmed by studies such as the SC2 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Survey, highlights a widespread deficit in essential domain skills, which the national strategy specifically prioritizes addressing through practical capability enhancement. This lack of experienced human capital remains one of the key impediments to sustainable digital development and a competitive economy in the region.

The Solution: HackTrain Education Platform

HackTrain is an innovative, dedicated cybersecurity education platform designed to directly address the practical skills gap in the Azerbaijani workforce. By moving beyond purely theoretical knowledge, the platform offers a structured environment for young professionals to gain essential, hands-on experience, bridging the critical divide between academic learning and industry requirements. HackTrain aims to be a cornerstone for developing a national cybersecurity ecosystem capable of protecting critical digital infrastructure and supporting the country's economic security goals. Its core mission is to cultivate a new generation of highly competent cybersecurity specialists ready for the modern digital battlefield.

Market Opportunity

The immediate market for advanced cybersecurity training is substantial within Azerbaijan. HackTrain estimates its Total Addressable Market (TAM) to be over 4,000 potential users. By segmenting the market into various tiers, from individuals seeking basic competency to professionals requiring full customization and priority support through its "Standard" and "Premium" plans, HackTrain is positioned to capture a significant portion of the burgeoning demand for specialized digital skills.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The HackTrain platform's focus on building a robust, skilled cybersecurity workforce and securing digital infrastructure contributes significantly to Azerbaijan’s sustainable development agenda, primarily aligning with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4: Quality Education: HackTrain directly promotes inclusive and equitable quality education by providing specialized, practical, and lifelong learning opportunities in cybersecurity. By focusing on practical skills, the core of the global cybersecurity shortage, it enhances the relevance of education for the labor market and helps close the digital skills gap.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Addressing the severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals is crucial for fostering sustained and inclusive economic growth in the digital era. HackTrain contributes to full and productive employment by equipping citizens with high-demand skills, which are fundamental to the safety of modern economic activities, including mobile payment systems and the integrity of digital transactions.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Cybersecurity is a fundamental prerequisite for building resilient digital infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization and innovation. By training professionals to secure critical infrastructure (such as finance, energy, and telecommunications), HackTrain ensures the availability and integrity of digital services, which are vital for innovation and national resilience against modern cyber threats.

The successful creation of the innovative HackTrain education platform, which directly addresses the critical national skills gap in cybersecurity, was fundamentally supported by the dedicated faculty of the Department of Information Security and Technologies. Their expert mentorship was vital in shaping the platform's core functionalities, ensuring the curriculum, from the fully localized interactive lessons to the realistic practical simulations and Attack vs. Defense Arena, effectively provides young specialists with the essential, hands-on experience needed for the digital battlefield, thereby fulfilling the national priority of practical capability enhancement.