Croatia tackles cybersecurity talent shortage with new training academy

The European Union reports a structural deficit of roughly 299,000 cybersecurity professionals, a shortfall that is also keenly felt in Croatia. Companies across the country are actively seeking specialists such as SOC analysts, penetration testers, threat analysts and incident responders to protect their digital assets. The growing demand is reflected in global market forecasts that anticipate worldwide spending on security technologies to reach about $500 billion by 2026, driven by a 10‑20 % annual increase in investments.

To address the skills gap, the Span Center for Cybersecurity has launched a five‑day summer academy for university and senior high‑school students aged 16 and above. Participants work on real‑world tasks and scenarios under the guidance of industry experts. "One of the biggest advantages of this program is that it enables early contact with the industry," said instructor Marina Dimić Vugec. The initiative aims to give students practical experience and insight into the competencies required by employers, thereby strengthening Croatia’s future cyber‑defence workforce.