Call for Expression of Interest in participating in the Industry-Academia Network of the Cybersecurity Skills Academy
As part of the Commission’s concerted efforts in closing the cyber skills gap and in further developing the Cybersecurity Skills Academy, the Commission is calling for interested entities, organisations and institutions in the academic sector to express their interest in participating in the formation of a network between Industry and Academia under the umbrella of the Cybersecurity Skills Academy.
On May 22nd, Margaritis Schinas, the European Commission Vice President and Thierry Breton, European Commission for Internal Market, met with high-level representatives of industry and organisations that have pledged free trainings to the European citizens. In this meeting, both executives underlined the vision to strengthen the links between the industry and academia and to create synergies from the demand and supply side for training offers.
To this end, the Industry-Academia network will mainly connect universities with the companies in the pledgers community to meet on regular occasions to collaborate on developing common resources such as curricula, training offers, and exchange in best practices and lessons learned. The network will further facilitate relationships between industry and academia through offering a forum where potential partnerships between academia and industry, and in particular the pledger companies could be formed. It will also allow the industry to have a focal point with the academic sector across Europe.
In general, the Industry-Academia Network would meet on regular occasions on concrete topics and build a community space under the Academy’s platform. A first, organisational/forming meeting will be organized in autumn.
Please reach out to cnect-EC-CYBER-SKILLS-ACADEMY@ec.europa.eu by stating your motivation in joining this network, describe what would be your expectations on how this network could benefit you and what input we could expect from you. Please send your expression of interest by 23 September 2024.
Background to the Academy
Building on a strong strategic, policy and legislative framework that is already in place, the Cybersecurity Skills Academy, created on 18 April 2023, is contributing to enhancing resilience and preparedness at all levels of the EU's cybersecurity ecosystem, by providing a single point of entry for cybersecurity training offers as well as funding opportunities on the Commission’s Digital Skills and Jobs Platform. This is done under four pillars of action:
foster knowledge generation through education and training by working on a common language on cybersecurity role profiles and associated skills, enhancing the European education and training offer to meet the needs, building career pathways and providing visibility and clarity over cybersecurity trainings and certifications to enhance the supply side of the labour.
ensure a better channelling and visibility over available funding opportunities for skills-related activities in order to maximise their impact.
define indicators to monitor the evolution of the market and to address better the needs on one hand, and on the other, the offer of trainings, as well as to better direct funds towards the needs.
call stakeholders to take action by making concrete cybersecurity pledges and integrating cybersecurity skills in their national strategies.
Under the umbrella of the Academy, the cybersecurity pledgers ‘the Industry’ community builds a coordinated approach on how to address the cybersecurity skills gap. While the pledgers offer training for professionals (the pledges) available on the Academy ‘s platform, they have also a forum to discuss further topics such as pathways, certifications, how to bring business communities together, share their views on the market trends.
One of the concerns of all the stakeholders involved is undoubtedly the gender gap. Since March 2024, the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform hosts the Women4Cyber Network, a collaborative effort between the European Commission and the Women4Cyber Foundation, uniting skilled women in cybersecurity from various sectors and expertise levels. The network is open to professionals and newcomers into the field.
Contact:
BROUILLARD MOLINA, Paula