Cybersecurity Skills Academy

Objective:

Cybersecurity has become a growing concern for European citizens, businesses and public authorities. In addition to skilled citizens, the EU needs a bigger pool of cybersecurity specialists to protect businesses and public services in Europe and design the cybersecurity solutions of the future. Currently, around 200,000 cybersecurity experts are missing in Europe. Recent legislative initiatives such as NIS2 and the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act will put even more pressure on companies and public authorities to have access to cybersecurity specialists. To address these challenges, the European Commission has already deployed many actions, in close collaboration with relevant actors. However, actions and resources are often perceived as scattered and inaccessible. The Cybersecurity Skills Academy would constitute a European umbrella integrating various activities with the objective of increasing their visibility, accessibility and impact. Those activities would align along common goals, key performance indicators and a joined-up communication strategy to seek greater impact.

Expected outcome:

• Training courses to address the most in-demand skills such a cyber-forensics, cyber ranges, malware analysis and AI for cybersecurity among others.
• On-the-job training courses and traineeships opportunities for start-ups and SMEs and for public administrations in innovative companies in cybersecurity and cybersecurity competence centres.
• Online training, user friendly and accessible to everyone in all languages.
• Scheme for establishing a cybersecurity competence recognition and professional certification in the European market 74.
• KPIs framework and its monitoring, including through measurable indicators, during the duration of the action

Useful documents