ISACA- Grows and Empowers the European Cybersecurity Workforce
ISACA is committed to closing the cybersecurity skills and talent gap in the European Union by equipping cybersecurity and digital trust professionals with the holistic knowledge to address evolving cyber threats effectively and fully comply with the EU cybersecurity legal framework.
We pledge to offer knowledge, free membership and resources to over 20.000 European students, create partnership with training organisations and academic institutions and organize events and raise awareness-raising initiatives to individuals across European Union by the end of 2024.
Our pledge
Through ISACA’s guidance and credentials, which map to the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework, ISACA is building a high-quality cybersecurity workforce in Europe that employers can trust and employees can benefit.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, organisations in Europe struggle to find qualified cybersecurity professionals to protect their digital assets. To address this issue and to support the efforts of the European Union, ISACA commits to providing accessible, high-quality education and certification opportunities to help aspiring and current cybersecurity professionals upskill and thrive in a challenging landscape
Chris Dimitriadis, Chief Global Strategy Officer at ISACA
Our initiatives
Title: Cybersecurity knowledge and training for teachers and trainers |
| Description: Engage with over 60 training organisations and academic institutions to provide teachers/trainers with the necessary knowledge and credentials to conduct holistic cybersecurity training based on ISACA guidance. It is aimed at establishing partnership with European universities, in order to provide teachers with cybersecurity knowledge, and partnership with training organisations to provide trainers with expertise to prepare the workforce. |
| Target: Teachers and trainers from over 60 training organisations |
| Location: Physical and online, in all EU Member States |
| Language: English |
| Cost: Free |
Link to the initiative: become an academic partner, find an accredited training organisation
|
Title: Free ISACA memberships for students & wider reach and impact of ISACA training and credentialing across Europe |
| Description: Provide 20,000 free memberships for students in Europe to help them access ISACA’s network in the region and gain knowledge through ISACA resources, credentials, training and events. ISACA will connect student members with executives and senior professionals through virtual and in person events organized by over 40 ISACA Chapters in Europe, to match organisations with quality candidates. |
| Target: 20,000 students |
| Location: Physical and online in all EU Member States |
| Language: English |
| Cost: Free |
|
Title: Disseminate knowledge to European citizens |
| Description: Disseminate knowledge through events and publications to citizens in each European country through ISACA’s chapters in the region by organizing 198 events and participating in 10 EU industry events. |
| Target: General public |
| Location: The initiative has been created to be deployed both physically and online in all EU Member states where ISACA have presence through its Chapters (44 Chapters across Europe) |
| Language: English |
| Cost: Free |
| Link to the initiative: no specific link |
ISACA is dedicated to reviewing and updating the status of this pledge every six months.
Pledge Updates
Since the submission of the pledge (June 1st 2023), ISACA is engaging with 60 training organizations and 30 European universities and academic partners to provide teachers and trainers with the necessary knowledge and credentials to conduct holistic cybersecurity training based on ISACA guidance.
During the same period 1.281 European students benefitted from the ISACA free memberships in Europe. Such students can now access ISACA’s network in the region, gain knowledge through ISACA resources, credentials, training and events and connect with executives and senior professionals in the ISACA Chapters.
Over the last eighteen months, the ISACA EU Chapters organized and promoted 1.170 events, of which 440 were certification trainings, to disseminate knowledge in each European country. During the same period, ISACA and its experts engaged in 38 EU industry events.
Background
The current cybersecurity landscape in Europe faces significant challenges, with ISACA's State of Cybersecurity research revealing that 62% of cybersecurity teams are understaffed, and 60% struggle to retain skilled staff. In this context, a lack of skills and training remains a significant barrier to achieving digital trust and complying with the EU cybersecurity regulations. Recognizing the vital importance of cybersecurity in fostering digital trust, ISACA is dedicated to creating a holistic cybersecurity workforce in Europe and closing the skills gap by equipping cybersecurity professionals with knowledge and skills across digital trust domains. This commitment reflects ISACA's ongoing effort to adapt and respond to the evolving needs of the cybersecurity landscape, empowering organisations to innovate with confidence and security while addressing the dynamic landscape of cyber threats and complying with legal requirements.
Want to know more? Watch now the video testimonials by ISACA on their pledge (video 1 & video 2!).
Video 1
Video 2
