On 5 February 2025, CyberHub Estonia took part in the National Cybersecurity Conference in Tallinn, Estonia. Since 2022, this annual event has fostered cooperation among the public sector, academia, private industry, and civil society, providing a platform to exchange knowledge and best practices in cybersecurity.

Addressing the Cyber Skills Shortage in Europe

One of the key discussions at this year’s conference was the cybersecurity skills gap in Europe. Marie Montaldo from DIGITALEUROPE delivered a presentation detailing the current cybersecurity skills landscape across the continent.

She shared insights from a recent study outlining the critical shortage of cyber professionals and proposed actionable solutions to bridge this gap. With the demand for skilled cybersecurity experts increasing, her talk emphasised the importance of training initiatives and cross-sector collaboration to build a resilient workforce.

Navigating European Cybersecurity Regulations

Regulation was another key theme at the conference, with a panel discussion featuring ITL board member Lauri Almann (CybExer Technologies) and ITL CEO Doris Põld, alongside Kaido Tee and Raavo Palu from the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs, and Merle Maigre from the E-State Academy. The debate explored whether Estonia is “sinking or swimming” when it comes to cybersecurity regulations.

ITL representatives highlighted the importance of state and private sector cooperation in regulatory matters. They stressed the need to avoid over-regulation and ambiguity, which could impact Estonia’s competitiveness in the cybersecurity sector. Additionally, the discussion touched on Estonia’s position as a leading exporter of cybersecurity technology, emphasising the necessity of ensuring international regulatory frameworks do not impose unnecessary restrictions on innovation and growth.

CyberHubs’ Role in Strengthening Cybersecurity

CyberHubs project was well represented at the conference, with members and partners from CyberHub Estonia actively participating in discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions. Their contributions reinforced the importance of European-wide collaboration to develop cybersecurity expertise, support regulatory clarity, and drive technological advancements.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, this kind of conferences play a crucial role in fostering dialogue and ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of cyber resilience.

CyberHubs extends its gratitude to the organisers, speakers, and participants for an engaging and insightful event. The Cybersecurity Skills Strategy report from CyberHub Estonia is now available online. Download the full report and explore key insights into Estonia’s cybersecurity skills strategy.