Encourage. Empower. Transform.

In an era defined by digital transformation, cyber threats have become both more sophisticated and more widespread. Across the globe the need for cybersecurity experts is rapidly increasing, but the shortage of qualified professionals is becoming even more pronounced.

According to the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform in 2024, there was an estimated shortage of 299,000 cybersecurity professionals in the European Union, representing a 9% increase from 2023. This gap is likely to increase as most organizations will require more cybersecurity staff to comply with recent EU cybersecurity legislation such as the NIS2 Directive, the Cyber Resilience Act, and the Digital Operational Resilience Act.

Against this backdrop, engaging young people in cybersecurity has never been more urgent or significant. In 2023, Cybersecurity Ventures predicted that women will represent 30 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce by 2025, reaching 35 percent by 2031. This may be achieved in part through initiatives focused on empowering young women.

In this blog article, we will see how global projects and competitions involving young people between the ages of 14 and 25 years show us the way to a safer digital world. It proposes a deep dive into why involving youth in cybersecurity is essential for the future of a digital society. Additionally, it explores important international initiatives, championships, hackathons and challenges that spotlight young talents.

Why is it important to engage young people in cybersecurity?

Why target the youth, you may ask. Let’s examine some of the key reasons why this is such a critical demographic:

• Closing the skills gap: The Global Information Cybersecurity Workforce Study (ISC2) estimates a shortfall of 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide. Cultivating interest in cybersecurity among young individuals is essential for training the next wave of skilled professionals, who will defend our digital landscape.
• Diversity of perspectives: Young people bring fresh viewpoints, creative problem-solving and digital fluency. Their familiarity with digital environments from an early age positions them to effectively identify and address emerging cybersecurity challenges.
• Building resilience in society: Encouraging digital vigilance among youth contributes to cultivating an environment of protection that reaches into households, educational institutions and neighborhoods, thereby strengthening the overall robustness of our communities.
• Empowering digital citizens: Understanding cybersecurity empowers young people to protect themselves and their peers, cultivating responsible digital citizens for the future.

Global international cybersecurity initiatives for youth

On an international stage, governments and leading organizations are striving to engage and inspire youth in cybersecurity initiatives that mentor and prepare them for a safe digital future. Take a look at some of the examples below.

European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC)

The European Cybersecurity Challenge is an initiative by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and aims at enhancing cybersecurity talents across Europe and connecting them with industry leading organizations. This initiative brings together top young talents from across Europe. National cybersecurity teams made up of the country’s top 10 talents aged between 14 and 25 take part in the competition, which is held annually in one of the European countries.

The ECSC provides not only a stage for competition, but also invaluable opportunities for networking and firsthand experience within the cybersecurity sector. Participating in competitions like the ECSC highlights that cybersecurity is not solely a matter of technology but also involves addressing real-world challenges and safeguarding individuals. Such events foster teamwork and provide an exhilarating sense of achievement when solving complex problems.

Global CyberLympics

The Global CyberLympics is a worldwide cybersecurity competition focused on promoting cyber defense, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. It encourages teams of youths from all continents to participate and learn from each other, fostering a global community of cybersecurity enthusiasts.

Young cybersecurity enthusiasts participate because they want to test their skills on a global stage and the CyberLympics pushes them in some cases to learn more than they ever thought possible. It opens doors to mentorship and jobs they wouldn’t have known existed.

CyberPatriot

CyberPatriot, created by the U.S. Air Force Association, is America’s largest youth cyber defense competition. It is open to middle- and high school students, and it challenges teams to find and fix vulnerabilities in simulated networks. With over 28,000 participants in 2023, it’s a major force in early cybersecurity education.

CyberPatriot often helps participants discover their passion for cybersecurity, and many plan to pursue further studies in the field afterwards. For them the competition is fun, challenging and truly impactful.

Other notable initiatives include-

• Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions like DEF CON CTF and Google CTF attract thousands of young participants worldwide, encouraging hands-on learning and collaboration.
• Poland’s NASK’s Youth Initiatives include nationwide competitions and educational programs to empower young people with cybersecurity skills.
• The European Cyber Security Organization (ECSO) provides resources and hosts events tailored for students, promoting career pathways in cybersecurity.

Piquing interests. Encouraging participation.

How do you attract young talent? How do you keep them motivated? Drawing on interviews, surveys and testimonials, here’s what we found out:

• Curiosity and challenge: Many young people are intrigued by the challenge of solving complex puzzles and defending against real-world threats.
• Career opportunities: Youth see participation as a pathway to profitable, impactful careers. ECSO reports that 85% of student participants express increased interest in cybersecurity professions after attending events.
• Community and collaboration: International competitions foster a sense of belonging and teamwork, as mentioned by participants in ECSC and CyberPatriot.
• Making an impact: Many young people are motivated by the chance to contribute to society’s safety and make a real-world difference.

Young people love the problem-solving aspect. It is important and good for them to know that their skills help protect people. They value the competitive aspects, as well as the friendships and cybersecurity lessons they have learned. Learning about cybersecurity through these events can even change the way they use technology and can give them a purpose.

Empowering youth for a safer digital tomorrow

Engaging young people in cybersecurity is not just about closing job vacancies. It means protecting the IT infrastructure that supports our everyday lives. By investing in education, competitions and mentorship, we can inspire a new generation equipped to face tomorrow’s cyber threats.