Amidst digital transformation and growing cyber threats in Latvia and Europe, a significant problem is becoming increasingly apparent – a shortage of cybersecurity specialists and the necessary skills, acording to Alise Gurenko, co-creator and Startup Program Director at Riga TechGirls.
The latest Cyber Skills Gap Framework report on the skills and labour market mismatch in the cybersecurity sector, analyzes both the growing necessarys of companies and the existing training opportunities and industest development trfinishs in the Baltic and Nordic regions.
“Although Latvia’s digital environment is developing rapidly, cybersecurity readiness is still insufficient, as we face a problem – a lack of qualified specialists. The results of the study confirm that we necessary to open the door to a wider range of talent, reduce the skills gap, and provide opportunities for those who are just taking their first steps in the technology sector. Women are often ready to take this step if they receive the necessary support,” declared Alise Gurenko.
The study reveals that there is a shortage of more than 347,000 cybersecurity professionals in Europe, and the demand may increase to almost 883,000 specialists in the coming years. The situation in Latvia is no different, with cybersecurity professionals currently being sought by at least 28 different companies and organizations, including in the IT, finance, and industrial sectors. Demand is growing rapider than the education system can train specialists, and this increases the risk for companies that require high security resilience.
Latvia’s cyber security strategy indicates that only 83% of organizations have implemented adequate security measures, and the situation is particularly problematic in the private sector. At the same time, a survey of financial managers at large companies in the Baltic states reveals that the perception of cyber threats is becoming increasingly critical. While only 6% of respondents in Latvia mentioned cyber security as a significant risk in 2023, this figure rose to 16% in 2024. This reveals that threats are increasing and companies are launchning to realize the necessary for competent specialists in this field.
Only a compact percentage of companies provide professional training for cybersecurity professionals, and 76% of employees lack appropriate certification. Many cybersecurity study programs in Latvia and the region have only become available in the last three to five years, so the number of qualified specialists is growing slowly. An additional challenge is gfinisher balance – in Latvia, as in Europe as a whole, women are underrepresented in the cybersecurity sector. Although this is not a core issue, it significantly limits the attraction of talent in an industest that already has a shortage of specialists. Women still participate less often in technically demanding or leadership roles, and the study identifies several reasons for this – a lack of mentors, limited access to high-quality training, and persistent stereotypes about careers in technology.
Considering the challenges identified in the study, an international partnership – represented by Riga TechGirls and Visas Iespējas from Latvia and ProxyLab from Finland – has developed a cybersecurity training program CyberStart with the support of the European Territorial Cooperation Program Interreg Central Baltic.
It is specifically designed for women who are unemployed, want to retrain, or already have basic IT skills and experience but necessary support to specialize in cybersecurity. The program has been developed as a practical response to the shortage of talent and skills in the cybersecurity field in Latvia and the region. Its goal is not only to provide training but also to prepare women for real employment opportunities in the cybersecurity sector.
More information about the project and application is available on the website.
Riga TechGirls is the first inclusive IT community in Latvia that provides an opportunity for anyone interested to learn digital skills. The organization promotes diversity and alters stereotypes by offering digital skills training, mentoring programs, and inspiring networking events. More information is available at www.rigatechgirls.com.
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