Solving the cyber talent gap: Three lessons from Ireland

Fast Company

18-07-2025

The cybersecurity industry has been plagued by a global talent shortage for years, with companies struggling to fill millions of open positions. While public and private sector initiatives like early career training and skills-based hiring have aimed to boost the cybersecurity workforce, the U.S. still faces a gap of 17%, leaving critical systems vulnerable to costly attacks.
At the same time, we're seeing cyberattacks become more sophisticated in the AI era, as hackers turn to generative AI tools to quickly develop malware, improve phishing attacks, and create convincing deepfakes. Without a more concerted effort to fill the cybersecurity talent gap, companies stand to lose trillions of dollars from cybertheft, service disruptions, and recovery costs in the coming decade.
As the U.S. has struggled to meet the need with local workforces, Ireland has emerged as a bright spot for companies seeking dynamic cybersecurity talent. This is no accident. The Irish government has spent decades investing in homegrown cybersecurity expertise, and now boasts six of the world's 10 largest security software companies, including Cisco, McAfee, and Microsoft.
In my role at IDA Ireland, I've watched the industry grow significantly by prioritizing cross-industry collaboration, continuous education, and regional coordination. Here are three lessons leaders in the U.S. can learn from Ireland's success in developing a world-class cybersecurity talent pipeline:
LESSON #1: A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS
Companies often compete for top talent, but in an industry like cybersecurity facing significant labor shortages, everyone benefits when the overall talent pool grows. When more people have the skills to be successful in an in-demand field, entire local economies flourish, creating new opportunities for both companies and employees.
To better align competing priorities within the Irish cybersecurity industry, the Irish government funded Cyber Ireland, a national organization representing over 200 companies and organizations across the sector. Members include both Irish startups and large multinational companies like Dell, Deloitte, and Proofpoint that have set up security operations in Ireland. The organization also includes educational institutions, training providers, research centers, government agencies, NGOs, and investors, representing the entire cybersecurity ecosystem.
Through Cyber Ireland, these entities have worked together to develop industry-aligned university curricula to ensure that Irish college graduates are well prepared for cybersecurity careers. These efforts have resulted in substantial growth in the Irish cybersecurity industry, now employing 8,000 people across more than 500 companies and generating €2.7 billion in 2024. The organization projects growth to 17,000 jobs by 2030—that's out of a national population of just 5 million people.
Though Cyber Ireland began with a focus on training university students, closing a skills gap requires lifelong learning. To reach non-traditional talent and mid-career professionals working in other fields, it's critical to build pathways for skill-building beyond college campuses.
Cyber Ireland has coordinated efforts across multiple universities to develop accredited online microcredential courses for working professionals. This allows more people to develop the right cybersecurity skills to get ahead without needing to commit to an expensive and time-consuming master's degree program.
Other companies with a presence in Ireland have taken this effort a step further by actively targeting talent from underrepresented groups. For example, HP partnered with a local industry body to launch a 'returnship' program for women who previously left the workforce, offering a 10-week cybersecurity bootcamp and work placement assistance. Similar initiatives aimed at recruiting military veterans and neurodiverse people for cybersecurity careers are underway.
Given the ever-increasing speed of technological advancement, it's not enough to focus solely on bringing college-age talent into the fold. Cybersecurity workforce development calls for educating talent at every career stage.
LESSON #3: NATIONAL VISION, REGIONAL ACTIVATION
One of the most important elements of Ireland's national cybersecurity strategy is building community on a regional level. Though the government has outlined a broad vision and provided funding to support the future of the cybersecurity industry in Ireland, execution is often best handled locally.
Cyber Ireland plays a key role in coordinating regional cybersecurity clusters, which run local meetups and activities in cities like Dublin, Cork, and Galway. The organization also brings regional leaders together for an annual conference to facilitate networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among members. Other initiatives designed to activate young people on a local level include Irish Capture the Flag competitions, a secondary school outreach initiative called Cyber Future, and a national cybersecurity career fair for college students.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Ireland's strategic focus on cross-industry collaboration, continuous education, and regional engagement has cultivated a thriving cybersecurity ecosystem. These lessons offer a valuable blueprint for other countries and regions seeking to address the global talent shortage and secure their digital futures. This strategy has helped a small nation punch above its weight in a critical industry. If countries with much larger populations follow suit, we all stand to benefit from stronger cyber defenses and growing local economies.