Strengthening Europe’s cybersecurity calls for a focus on both skilling and diversity

From my conversation with customers, it’s clear that cybersecurity is a top business priority as online threats continue to proliferate and evolve. For example, according to our Microsoft Digital Defence Report, there are now approximately 921 password attacks every second. That’s a 74% increase year over year.

AI technology has an important role to play in helping keep organizations secure. Our recently announced Microsoft Security Copilot uses AI to help identify and respond to threats at machine speed. However, this kind of innovation must be combined with the experience and resourcefulness of trained cybersecurity professionals to truly keep organizations safe across the region.

Therein lies the challenges we collectively face. As of 2022, Europe lacked up to 500,000 cybersecurity professionals, and the demand for cybersecurity skills has grown 35% in the last year.

Behind this skills gap, there is also a diversity issue that must be addressed: women make up only 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce. This underrepresentation must be tackled in order to bridge the skills gap. In addition, a lack of diversity threatens to slow the pace of innovation in the security industry. There’s a body of research that clearly shows diverse organizations perform better.

To help address this issue Microsoft launched the Cybersecurity Skills Initiative, designed to support nonprofits and educational institutions in skilling up the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. These programs are committed to providing opportunities to people often excluded, particularly women and those with migrant and refugee backgrounds.

I wanted to share some of the fantastic work that’s being done across our region - helping businesses get the talent they need and helping people unlock their potential. Here are four inspiring examples:

Norway: Inno-Sci is focused on providing STEM training programs for businesses, young people and particularly women in tech. Local organizations are already benefiting from the program and have recruited several students as Cloud Consultants. Cybersecurity student Archana Srivastava moved to Norway from India where she used to work as a marketing manager in one of the country's largest banks. Now enrolled in the Inno-Sci program, she is optimistic about her new future: “I would like to work as a cybersecurity analyst. I’m confident that one day I will achieve my dream job”. Hear more from Archana and other students on their cybersecurity journeys. Link here

Belgium: Moleengeek is an institution that isn’t only focused on skills, but opening students’ eyes to all the opportunities a career in cybersecurity offers. Fatiha Mimouni enrolled in Molengeek courses and is now passionate about the industry and bringing more women into it. When students like Fatiha complete their courses at Molengeek, the program also helps connect them with employment opportunities, including with Belgium’s recently established Cyber Command of the Belgian army. Link here

Ireland: Generation trains people from underrepresented backgrounds in tech skills including cybersecurity. The non-profit also connects trainees to job opportunities and plans to support 240 learners in Ireland this year. Our partner Ergo has even set up a Grad program to assist learners in getting a foot in the door. Explore the impact of this joined-up approach in more detail: LinkedIn

Sweden: The ReDI School of Digital Integration in Malmö and tech recruitment expert, msemploy, are working in partnership to provide skills and clear pathways to careers in cybersecurity. For Regiane Alves da Silva, a cybersecurity student from Brazil, the program opened up a world of new opportunities: "The education, the certificates and the opportunity to practice have filled me with self-esteem. I have gained more experience and more contacts.” Link here

The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is an issue that affects every organization regardless of sector, irrespective of size.  And to put a fine point on the issue: This is an industry that needs people with different backgrounds and perspectives if it is going to keep innovating and keep a step ahead of online criminals and bad actors. So we need to continue working together – across the private, public and third sectors to promote both skilling and diversity in the industry.