Cybersecurity skills academy
In “Promoting our European Way of Life”
As part of its work programme 2023, the European Commission had announced a non-legislative initiative on this topic for the Q3 2023. And as part of the 2023 European Year of Skills, the Commission adopted on 18 April 2023 a communication on a Cybersecurity Skills Academy (“the Cyber Skills Academy”) . It aims to bring together existing initiatives on cyber skills and improve their coordination, in view of closing the cybersecurity talent gap and boosting EU’s competitiveness, growth and resilience. It is expected that this initiative will help to bridge the digital cybersecurity skills gap in the EU. According to the European Commission, in 2022, the shortage ranged between 260 000 and 500 000.
To address these challenges, the European Commission has opened the fifth call for proposals on advanced digital skills on 21 November 2023, with a total budget of €42 million to be divided in three open calls:
-Specialised education programmes in key capacity areas
-Advanced digital skills analysis
-Cybersecurity Skills Academy
On 12 December 2023, the European Commission presented the fifth round of Digital Europe programme call for proposal in a dedicated info day and pitching event.
The May 2024 Eurobarometer survey - part of actions taken through the Cybersecurity Skills Academy - revealed that cybersecurity skills shortage is increasing. Consequently, there is a need for more cybersecurity specialists.
According to the Commission's new Political Guidelines 2024-2029 digital skills including cybersecurity continue being a priority.
On 4 December 2024, the Commission has launched a call for expression of interest to join the new Industry-Academia Network under the Cybersecurity Skills Academy.
References:
- European Commission Work programme 2023, COM(2022) 54
- European year of skills 2023
- European Commission Communication on the Cybersecurity Skills Academy COM(2023)207,
- European Commission, Eurobarometer: Cyberskills, May 2024
- European Commission, Political Guidelines 2024-2029
- European Commission Commission launches Industry-Academia Network to bridge cybersecurity skills gap, December 2024
Author: Mar Negreiro, Members' Research Service, legislative-train@europarl.europa.eu