By Jacqueline Kehoe, a project manager at Cyberskills and who was recently featured in The Irish Independent Future of Education supplement, providing her expert advice and insights on the cybersecurity industry.

As the digitalization of our world accelerates, so does the prevalence of cyberattacks, creating a widening skills gap in the cybersecurity industry. Urgent action is needed to address this gap and protect industries and organizations from the escalating threat landscape. The growth in digitalization further highlights the importance of upskilling technology professionals in cybersecurity and the job opportunities it presents.

The relentless rise of cyberattacks, occurring at a rate of one per minute, necessitates immediate protective measures. The demand for Information Computer and Technology (ICT) professionals with cybersecurity expertise has reached critical levels due to the rapid pace of digitalization, which has resulted in a global skills gap.

The scarcity of skilled cybersecurity professionals has created a significant number of job openings and advancement prospects for individuals interested in cybersecurity careers or those seeking to upskill within the ICT field.

The 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed a global need for an additional 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals. Furthermore, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicts that technological advancements will transform approximately 1 billion jobs in the next decade.

In Ireland, Cyber Skills, a leading authority on cybersecurity education, warns of a critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals, posing a risk to the country's digital economy. To address this issue, three prominent Irish universities—Munster Technological University, University of Limerick, and Technological University Dublin—have collaborated to offer job role-specific pathways and micro-credentials aimed at filling the cybersecurity skills gap.

Cyber Skills, funded by Ireland's Higher Education Authority (HEA), provides flexible online courses tailored for individuals already in the workforce who seek to upskill or reskill. The courses, designed in collaboration with industry partners such as DELL and Mastercard, target specific job roles, with secure network operations, software development, and systems architecture identified as areas with the greatest demand.

Participants have the opportunity to earn Special Purpose Certificates or micro-credentials, which are accredited by the partnering universities through online coursework. The program accommodates individual preferences, allowing participants to pursue a single subject micro-credential or complete up to four modules for a specialized pathway.

Additionally, a cybersecurity academy has been established to introduce young people aged 16 to 18 to security careers through technical training. By increasing awareness and cultivating interest in cybersecurity, the academy aims to create a safer digital environment for all.

The rising tide of cyber threats demands a skilled cybersecurity workforce. Upskilling technology professionals is vital for closing the cybersecurity skills gap and securing our digital future. Initiatives such as what we offer here at Cyber Skills provide flexible pathways to acquire expertise, addressing the shortage of cybersecurity professionals and paving the way for a safer and more resilient digital landscape.

Click here to learn more about the reasons to choose a career in Cybersecurity in Ireland