Cybersecurity skills analysis report from the CyberHubs project

Is Europe ready to tackle the cybersecurity skills gap?

In a world of rising cyber threats, Europe’s cybersecurity resilience depends heavily on a workforce equipped with the right skills and expertise. The European Network of Cybersecurity Skills Hubs (CyberHubs) project has published a report analyzing skills gaps across seven countries: Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Spain. 

What are the key findings?

The CyberHubs report highlights several trends across seven European countries:

• Demand for implementers and incident responders: As cyber threats grow, companies urgently need cybersecurity professionals who can handle security implementation and respond to incidents
• Importance of soft skills: In addition to technical expertise, employers are looking for professionals with skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication
• Emerging technical skills: As the field of cybersecurity evolves, there’s a rising demand for new skills, especially in areas like AI Security, Cloud Security, and Threat Analysis
• IT-related skills: There is a broad mix of skills in demand across the IT sector, with common skills including Enterprise Architecture, Network Management, and Data Analysis. Other important IT skills like Operating Systems and Software Development are also needed but appear less frequently.
• Organisation-related skills: Among the skills related to organizational needs, risk management stands out as the most important, mentioned in five out of seven country reports

Furthermore,the report highlightsa gap between cybersecurity training and market needs, with a focus on technical skills at the expense of soft skills. 

To address this, the CyberHubs project suggests closer collaboration between academia and industry, hands-on training, and specialized programs in emerging areas like AI-driven cybersecurity. This supports the Cybersecurity Skills Academy's goal to strengthen the EU's cybersecurity workforce by fostering a unified EU approach to cybersecurity training and encouraging collaboration between industry and academia.

About CyberHubs

The European Network of Cybersecurity Skills Hubs (CyberHubs) is a 3-year initiative joining forces to enhance the cybersecurity professional skills ecosystem in Europe. CyberHubs has established a sustainable network of seven Cybersecurity Skills Hubs in Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Spain. These hubs promote the development of professional skills in cybersecurity and support the development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce in the short, medium and long term.