Companies are in urgent need of cyber-security professionals to ensure safety and legal compliance.

Cyber Security professionals are needed like never before – but there is a severe shortage of qualified personnel both globally and nationally. To meet growing demand, IT Sligo has launched a new course in Cyber Security.

A qualification in Cyber Security can lead to an exciting and varied career in an array of industries and career options. Also, Cyber Security is such a vast sector that graduates can move around to find the career option to which they are best suited.

Paul Brady, Director of Enterprise Information Security, Optum Ireland said:

“As society becomes more dependent on technology, the impact of a cyber-attack will be much greater than just financial, or reputational. There is a global shortage of qualified Cyber Security professionals and we need people who have a passion for technology and lifelong learning to help deliver cybersecurity solutions. Cybersecurity is a diverse and growing industry which offers great opportunities and a huge variety of careers.”

Eoin Byrne, Cluster Manager for Cyber Ireland, said:

“Ireland’s cybersecurity sector has seen the expansion of MNCs (multinational companies) with cybersecurity operations, as well as new FDI (foreign direct investment). Over 60 percent of our members plan to hire for cybersecurity roles in 2021, of which 50 per cent will hire new graduates. However, Cyber Ireland’s Skills Report 2021 found a severe shortage in cybersecurity professionals, and skills gaps that are affecting companies of all sizes across diverse sectors.

“There is a need for a collaborative approach at the national level to ensure we are developing home-grown cybersecurity talent. There is a need to increase the number of course places available in skill shortage areas with the most in-demand training for cloud-enabled security, incident response, and regulatory compliance.

“Graduate salaries in the main fall into two ranges: 31 percent of respondents hire graduates for cybersecurity roles from €25k to €35k, while a further 31percent pay salaries from €35k to €45k. 15 percent of organisations pay graduate salaries over €45k. These salaries should attract top students into the cybersecurity field.”

Cyber Ireland North-West Chapter was established to bring together industry professionals, academics and local government representatives in order to represent the needs of the cybersecurity sector in the North West of Ireland. The aim is to enhance the innovation, growth, and competitiveness of all companies and organisations working in Cyber Security in the North West Region of Ireland.

Internationally, there is a severe shortage of Cyber Security Professionals and Cyber Ireland estimates a global shortfall of between 1.8 and 3.5 million security professionals within five years. This skills shortage is affecting organisations of all sizes across a wide range of sectors.

IT Sligo

IT Sligo is committed to bridging this skills gap by building security into its modules from the ground up. The computing courses all have security elements to the modules, to ensure graduates have an understanding of Cyber Security.

A qualification in Cyber Security can lead to an exciting and varied career in an array of industries and career options. Cyber Security is such a vast sector that graduates can move around the different career options to find one best suited.

To find out more about the Level 7 CAO 137 Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks and Cyber Security at IT Sligo, please click here.

SOURCE: Materials provided by IT Sligo
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