How Ireland Is Solidifying Status as a Flagship Cybersecurity Hub

Summary

The cybersecurity industry is accustomed to moving and adapting quickly to combat rapidly evolving cyber threats. But the industry also must remain agile in the face of business and operational challenges, including new regulations, changing geopolitical dynamics and ongoing skills shortages.

In recent years, Ireland has significantly helped the cybersecurity industry stay in front of industry challenges with a robust talent pipeline, cybersecurity infrastructure and ever-growing industry cluster. This commitment is now being further solidified with the launch of a new five-year strategy by IDA Ireland, the agency that attracts and supports foreign direct investment in Ireland. The strategy “Adapt Intelligently 2025-2029” aims to help global industry sectors like cybersecurity grow, innovate and succeed by operating in Ireland.

Already today, six of the world’s 10 largest security software companies are located in Ireland, and about $2.8 billion of cybersecurity-related revenue is generated in the country and the expectation is that Ireland’s cybersecurity sector is poised to grow even stronger.

Addressing top industry needs

IDA Ireland’s five-year strategy includes multiple strategic objectives that aim to help companies thrive in Ireland, such as by supporting them as they navigate a changing global economy and fostering greater collaboration in R&D and innovation. The strategy will also help Ireland continue to address the industry’s top needs and focuses on some key areas:

• People and place: Today, Ireland is home to more than 7,900 cybersecurity professionals, and that number is expected to grow to 17,000 by 2030. To enable this growth, Ireland will continue to be a pipeline for world-class cybersecurity talent. Ireland has the E.U.’s highest level of STEM graduates per capita among 20 to 29 year olds. Irish universities also offer more than 70 courses that were developed in line with the industry’s needs to produce in-demand cybersecurity technicians and specialists.
• Support and stability: Ireland has long had a reputation as a good place to do business. It has a competitive tax schem, and a pro enterprise approach to industries that rely on continuous research and innovation. To carry out their critical work, cybersecurity firms need a location that’s both business friendly and stable. Multinational companies operating in Ireland also appreciate the country’s stability. The Irish government’s pro-business policies remain in place and the country’s political and economic stability persist.
• Ecosystem and environment: Decades of courting cybersecurity operations and building an environment where the industry’s professionals can collaborate and innovate has helped Ireland create a dynamic cybersecurity infrastructure. In addition, Ireland’s growing industry cluster is connected through the work of Cyber Ireland which brings cyber professionals, industry & academia together to understand the needs of the broader cyber ecosystem.  Irish academic institutions like Munster Technological University are also exploring AI’s impact on cybersecurity and consulting with industry to understand their changing skills needs.

An enduring partner

Cyber threats will continue to evolve and the world will continue to change, but through it all Ireland will remain a reliable, stable and cutting edge location for cybersecurity firms and teams to do their vital work.