Closing the cybersecurity skills gap: CyberHubs publishes the seven national Cybersecurity Skills Strategies

To bridge Europe’s cybersecurity skills gap and build a more resilient workforce, the CyberHubs project has published seven national cybersecurity skills strategies. These reports, developed in collaboration with key national stakeholders, outline targeted approaches to enhancing cybersecurity competencies across Spain, Slovenia, Lithuania, Hungary, Greece, Belgium, and Estonia. Each strategy provides a roadmap tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in its respective country, contributing to a more cohesive European cybersecurity skills framework.

Addressing country-specific cybersecurity challenges

Each of the seven strategies identifies national cybersecurity skills gaps, industry needs, and training opportunities, offering concrete recommendations for improvement. While all strategies align with the broader EU cybersecurity goals, they also reflect distinct national priorities and contexts.

In Spain, the strategy aims to strengthen cybersecurity competencies by fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, reinforcing national capabilities in digital security, cybersecurity, and cyber defence. The strategy highlights the urgent need for specialists in cybersecurity architecture, incident response, and AI security, while also focusing on enhancing programming skills in cybersecurity education.

Slovenia’s approach centres on bridging the skills gap through workforce preparedness, education, and national resilience. By integrating cybersecurity education into academic curricula, expanding professional training, and raising awareness, the strategy supports a comprehensive cybersecurity skills ecosystem. A key goal is to position Slovenia’s CyberHub as a leader in upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

The Lithuanian strategy addresses the country’s increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals with strong technical and non-technical competencies. It highlights the need for versatile professionals who can fulfil multiple cybersecurity roles, including Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and incident management specialists. The report also underscores the importance of practical training, professional certifications, and international collaboration to enhance skills development.

In Hungary, the focus is on creating clear pathways from secondary education to cybersecurity careers, supporting recent graduates and professionals transitioning into cybersecurity roles. The strategy emphasises aligning training programmes with industry needs, promoting workforce diversity, and tackling challenges such as career stagnation and burnout to retain experienced professionals.

The Greek strategy aligns with national and EU initiatives to strengthen cybersecurity education and workforce development. It prioritises collaboration between academia, industry, and government to improve cybersecurity training and professional certifications. A key aspect of the strategy is fostering public awareness and engagement to ensure cybersecurity becomes a fundamental societal concern.

Belgium’s strategy builds on its strong cybersecurity infrastructure by identifying key gaps in skills development and proposing targeted upskilling initiatives. The report highlights the need for stronger partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector to align cybersecurity training with evolving industry demands, particularly in areas such as threat intelligence and cyber incident response.

Finally, Estonia, known for its advanced digital landscape, aims to reinforce its cybersecurity workforce by integrating new learning methodologies, supporting ongoing professional development, and enhancing collaboration between government, academia, and industry. The strategy also focuses on expanding training for professionals in critical infrastructure and AI-related cybersecurity roles.

A unified effort towards cybersecurity preparedness

These national strategies represent a crucial step in strengthening Europe’s cybersecurity capabilities. By addressing educational gaps, enhancing industry collaboration, and ensuring professionals are equipped with the necessary skills, the CyberHubs project is playing a vital role in shaping the future of cybersecurity in Europe.

Explore each country’s cybersecurity skills strategy in detail:
• Cybersecurity Skills Strategy: Spain
• Cybersecurity Skills Strategy: Slovenia
• Cybersecurity Skills Strategy: Lithuania
• Cybersecurity Skills Strategy: Hungary
• Cybersecurity Skills Strategy: Greece
• Cybersecurity Skills Strategy: Belgium
• Cybersecurity Skills Strategy: Estonia

By leveraging these strategies, governments, industries, and academia can take coordinated action to strengthen cybersecurity skills across Europe, ensuring a more secure digital future for all.