n
n
nIn April 2023,nnISC2nnwas the first organization to make a pledge in support of thennEU Cybersecurity Skills Academy, under the ‘Digital Skills for Labour Force’ pillar. To help buildnthe urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals in the EU,nISC2 pledged to provide 20,000 individuals in the EU Member Statesnwith free access to itsnnCertified in Cybersecurity (CC)nntraining program and exam.
n
ISC2’s initiative has achieved a remarkable milestone, with morenthan 24,000 individuals from across the EU enrolling in the CCnprogram in just 12 months. This surpasses the initial targetnregistrations by almost 120% and is six months ahead of schedule.nThe 18-month pledge period concludes in October 2024.
n
This pledge, as part of ISC2’s widernnOne Million Certified in Cybersecuritynninitiative, is helping to address the critical cybersecuritynworkforce and skills gaps by attracting new entrants to thenprofession from all backgrounds, including recent graduates, careernchangers and IT professionals, and provides a route intoncybersecurity careers through certification.
n
ISC2’snn2023 Workforce Studynnestimates the workforce gap for cybersecurity professionals in thenEU stands at 274,000, with a 29% expansion of the skills base required to close thengap. Over two-thirds of EU respondents state their organizationsnhave a shortage of cybersecurity staff to prevent and troubleshootncybersecurity issues.
n
Diversifying the Workforce
n
The current EU workforce gap emphasises the need for a more diversencybersecurity workforce. The pledge has successfully attracted andiverse population of candidates, including:
n
n
n
n
- n Registrations across all 27 EU Member States, with then highest proportion of women in Romania, Poland and Ireland.n
n
- n Registrations across a range of ethnicities, with non-whiten ethnic groups accounting for 29% of enrolments.n
n
- n Total female participation across the population was 18%,n however, between ages 18-24 (19%), 25-34 (25%) and 35-44n (20%) female participation is above the average rate.n
n
- n Highest uptake in the 25-34 age group, accounting for 37.1%n of registrations.n
n
- n 51% of registrants were aged under 35, with a greatern proportion of women in this age group.n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nCyber Pathways
n
Obtaining the CC certification demonstrates holders have thenfoundational knowledge, skills and abilities to pursue an entry- ornjunior-level cybersecurity role. It provides coverage of key skillsnand knowledge for many roles withinnthe EuropeannCybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF), establishing a robustnfoundation for entering the workforce.
n
Highlighting the value of entry-level certifications,nnISC2’s researchnnfound they are a highly regarded form of cybersecuritynqualification, favored over a bachelor’s degree, 66% to 34%, whennconsidering entry-level candidates.
n
n
n
n
n
n
- n 80% of EU respondents agree that alternative pathways inton cybersecurity is good for the industry;n
n
- n 86% are willing to hire entry level employees; and,n
n
- n 59% are changing their hiring expectations to accept moren applications from candidates with non-cybersecurityn backgrounds.n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nThrough equipping individuals in the EU with essential cybersecuritynskills to navigate the evolving threat landscape, ISC2 is aligningnwith the EU’s ambition for a skilled, technologically advanced, andnsustainable economy.
n
n
n
“Cybersecurity is a cornerstone of the EU’s digital economy,” saidnEd Parsons, VP of Global Markets and Member Relations, ISC2.n“Through our successful pledge with the EU Cyber Skills Academy, wenare growing the pipeline of skilled candidates to build the region’sncyber resilience and competitiveness in the internationalncybersecurity market. Together, through investment in training,ncertification and
n
DEI initiatives, we can create new,nnon-traditional pathways into careers and strengthen the cybernworkforce throughout Europe.”
n
Reaching Underrepresented Groups
n
ISC2 has partnered with various EU-based organizations to ensure thenprogram is accessible to individuals from a broad range ofnbackgrounds. Through its partnership with the Algebra UniversitynCollege in Croatia, ISC2 is delivering the CC program to students.nISC2 has also collaborated with the non-profit ReDI School ofnDigital Integration in Germany, helping to upskill individuals fromnmigrant communities, and with the Women4Cyber Foundation in Belgiumnto encourage female participation in cybersecurity.
n
Read more about ISC2’s EU pledge:
n
n
