8 Skills 8.1 State of Play A number of substantial skills gaps have emerged in cyber security, largely as a consequence of its rapid development as a societal challenge. This skills gap is a global issue, with upwards of 2 million unfilled cyber security vacancies worldwide in 2019. At a national level, ensuring a ready supply of staff is critical to both preserving the ability to secure our own infrastructure, and to be able to continue to attract and retain data heavy investment. In turn, meeting this demand requires not only the training of new entrants but the encouragement of cross training and upskilling from professionals in ICT and other relevant sectors. In recent years Ireland has made important strides towards addressing and improving skills, developing research capabilities and raising awareness of cyber security as a career. However there remains a time lag between industry and academia in fast moving sectors like this, and a need to ensure that graduates are leaving third level institutions with the requisite skills for the employment requirements in industry. The Government is seeking to address the growing demand for cyber security skills through the implementation of Technology Skills 2022, the third ICT Skills Action Plan. Cyber security was identified in the underlying research for the plan, undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, as one of the key emerging fields that will drive the demand for high level ICT skills in Ireland in the coming years. The cyber security skills agenda is being advanced in the context of Technology Skills 2022 through a number of channels, including Skillnet Ireland, the expansion of provision in higher education and the promotion of ICT apprenticeships through SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority. In October 2018, a new Cyber Security Skills Initiative was launched by Skillnet Ireland in partnership with the NCSC, Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, and other agencies and third level institutions. The core aims of the initiative are to develop awareness, bridge the skills gap and to set standards for skills and competencies for Cyber Security roles. The three year plan is focused on building training and accreditation in the field to address skills gaps, attracting more young people, and in particular women into the sector and promoting Continuous Professional Development. Skillnet Ireland estimates that the initiative will deliver Cyber Security training to in excess of 5,000 people in the industry over the next three years. Also, the third level sector in Ireland has also begun to offer a significant number of courses in cyber security, with at least 8 Masters level courses now on offer. 36