17 May, 2022

A recent report from Cyber Ireland and Cyber Skills has identified Ireland’s potential as a global leader in the cyber security industry.

The ‘State of the Cyber Security Sector in Ireland’ Report, launched on the 13th of May, provides an in-depth analysis of the sector and its potential to increase its cyber security workforce to over 17,000 by 2030.

The report offers good news for cyber security nationally, indicating that 83% of businesses expect their cyber security teams to grow over the next year. However, many companies have expressed concerns about recruitment, training, and retention in the cyber security sector.

Professor Donna O’Shea, Chair of Cybersecurity at Munster Technological University (MTU), cautioned that the growth of Ireland’s cyber security sector is reliant on newly qualified professionals if Ireland is to achieve a leading role in the global cyber security industry.

Prof O’Shea said, “The HEA Cyber Skills Initiative aims to address the challenge of talent and skills by reducing barriers to participation in the industry, upskilling and reskilling professionals, making them industry ready upon completion of their courses.”

The MTU-led Cyber Skills Initiative offers pathways and micro-credentials for specific roles in this expanding sector. The programmes draw from the expertise of top industry leaders and in collaboration with the scientific community.

Educational initiatives such as Cyber Skills have been instrumental in making Cork Ireland’s leading cyber hub, developing homegrown cybersecurity talent, and helping to shape the growth of Ireland cyber security’s workforce.

Download the full report here.

More information on Cyber Skills available here.

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