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The Netherlands and the EU are committed to creating a digitally secure society. To achieve this, a sufficient number of well-trained cybersecurity professionals are needed. Due to labour market shortages, new technologies, and the rise in cybercrime, the demand for various types of cybersecurity specialists is increasing. The Action Plan Dutch Cybersecurity Strategy 2022-2028 includes the following actions in the field of Human Capital:
- Investigating qualitative and quantitative shortages in the cybersecurity labour market, with recommendations on how to address these shortages;
- Exploring whether initiatives to gain insight into ICT-wide shortages and the development of an education and labour market dashboard on ICT also provide sufficient insight into regional shortages of cybersecurity specialists.
Dialogic, in collaboration with Platform Talent for Technology (PTvT) commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, has delivered a research and advisory report to implement the above-mentioned actions. Research was conducted to assess the current quantitative and qualitative shortages in the Dutch cybersecurity labour market, the expected growth, and opportunities to better align education and the labour market.
### Key Findings
Based on the research results, the following recommendations have been formulated:
1. Develop a common language and common understanding regarding 'cybersecurity expertise'.
2. Introduce targeted coordination for the alignment of education and the labour market.
3. Utilise the full potential talent pool
4. Foster collaboration between and within regions, sectors, and value chains.
5. Increase visibility and attractiveness of 'the profession'.
6. Promote retraining, upskilling, and reskilling for horizontal and vertical development.
7. Work on retaining professionals through labour mobility within the sector.
8. Enhance the starting position of recent graduates.
9. Raise interest in studying and working in cybersecurity.
10. Strengthen frameworks and materials for cybersecurity education.
11. Involve the labour market more in education.
12. Strengthening enhances the attractiveness of teaching cybersecurity.
