Moroccan cybersecurity engineer and founder of Polymorpho, Reda Cherqaoui, has identified key challenges hindering Morocco's development of a national technology industry. Cherqaoui's interest in cybersecurity began at 16, when he practiced ethical hacking, identifying vulnerabilities in services like eBay and Gmail. His research on Facebook vulnerabilities in 2011 garnered press attention in Morocco. This curiosity drove him to create Polymorpho, which helps governments, public institutions, and companies build sovereign cybersecurity and cyberintelligence capabilities.
Polymorpho combines proprietary platforms developed in-house with specialized security services. Their platforms collect, monitor, investigate, and analyze data from multiple sources, using AI to process large volumes of information. This enables them to transform data into decision-making and action-oriented insights. Cherqaoui notes that Morocco has made significant strides in developing its digital ecosystem, but most activity focuses on services, integration, and outsourcing.
According to Cherqaoui, two main difficulties hinder the emergence of Moroccan companies that can design and market their own technologies. The first challenge is accessing solid operational experience. Even excellent engineers may lack experience working on everyday problems faced by companies or institutions. This experience is crucial in designing useful products. Some countries expose their young people to technological challenges early on, allowing them to understand the limitations of existing systems and driving innovation.
The second difficulty Cherqaoui identifies is financing. Developing proprietary technology takes time, is costly, and requires multiple iterations before arriving at a reliable solution. While Morocco has existing competencies, they need more opportunities to work on demanding projects and resources to complete product development. Cherqaoui emphasizes that the country must move beyond technological integration and create its own solutions.
Cherqaoui's company, Polymorpho, is working to address these challenges. By providing governments, institutions, and companies with cutting-edge cybersecurity and cyberintelligence capabilities, they aim to enhance Morocco's technological self-reliance. This involves developing proprietary platforms and offering specialized services to support the growth of a national tech industry.
The development of a robust national tech industry is crucial for Morocco's economic growth and digital sovereignty. Cherqaoui's insights highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to address the challenges facing the sector. This includes providing access to operational experience, financing, and resources to support the development of innovative technologies.
As Morocco continues to develop its digital ecosystem, the call for technological self-reliance grows louder. With experts like Reda Cherqaoui leading the charge, the country may be able to overcome its challenges and emerge as a major player in the global tech industry.
Key points
- Reda Cherqaoui identifies access to operational experience and financing as key challenges for Moroccan companies.
- Polymorpho combines proprietary platforms with specialized security services to support cybersecurity and cyberintelligence.
- Morocco must move beyond technological integration and create its own solutions to develop a robust national tech industry.
