Cyber security skills gaps

Cyber Ireland — 2021 Skills Report (Ireland)

In 2020, a Cyber Security Skills Survey was conducted with Cyber Ireland members to provide a better understanding of the current labour market for cyber security skills in Ireland. Over 80 respondents from industry provided data on: Cyber Security Roles & Certifications, Hiring & Retaining of Staff, Skills & Training, and Gender Diversity Programmes.

The results have highlighted strengths and identified challenges, including Cyber security skills gaps (people lacking appropriate skills) and skills shortages (a lack of people available to work in cyber security job roles). These shortages are impacting organisations of all sizes (micro, small, medium and large), across a range of sectors, including indigenous and foreign owned companies. To address these challenges,  recommendations are made that need to be jointly addressed by industry, academia and government.

• “41% of organisations security teams are understaffed and a further 5% are significantly understaffed.” Cyber Ireland+1
• “20 organisations noted they have 70 open cyber security positions in total.” Cyber Ireland+1
• “49% of respondents had open roles at the time.” (i.e. unfilled cyber security positions) Cyber Ireland+1
• On hiring intentions: “62% of organisations plan to hire in 2021.” Cyber Ireland+1
• On graduate hiring: “82% [of those hiring] will hire technical security staff and 50% will hire new graduates.” Cyber Ireland+1

These statements show that as of 2021, many Irish organisations in the cyber-security cluster already faced a notable shortage of personnel, including unfilled roles and understaffed teams.

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