"The Core of Cybersecurity is Talent"…Next Year's Budget Up 20%

'Sailing Smoothly in Training 100,000 Cybersecurity Talents'
Expanding Industry-Academia Cooperation and Strengthening Specialized Education Next Year

The government is accelerating efforts to cultivate cybersecurity talent. Next year, it plans to increase the project budget by more than 20% to speed up talent development and secure 100,000 cybersecurity professionals by 2026. Lee Dong-hwa, head of the Security Talent Policy Team at the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), told reporters in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 1st, "We have achieved our talent development goals so far," and made the announcement.

Last July, the government announced the national agenda plan to "cultivate 100,000 cybersecurity talents." As all industries undergo digital transformation, security concerns are growing. Overseas, governments such as the Biden administration have also committed to creating 500,000 new cybersecurity jobs, actively securing security experts.

Lee Dong-hwa, Head of the Security Talent Policy Team at KISA, is explaining to reporters on the 1st the achievements in promoting the training of 100,000 cybersecurity talents and future plans.
[Photo by KISA]

Lee said, "The cybersecurity capabilities of a nation and organizations depend on personnel," adding, "Even as technology advances, it is people who directly work and manage data. How much people acquire technology is crucial."

The government's plan to cultivate 100,000 cybersecurity talents is divided into nurturing 40,000 new personnel and strengthening the capabilities of 60,000 existing workers. Lee explained, "Among various cybersecurity roles, the core are product development, security management, and incident response. When we investigated how many personnel would be needed in these areas by 2026, about 40,000 new workers are required." He also stated, "According to a 2021 survey, there are about 126,000 information security personnel, and considering continuous technological advancement, we will keep strengthening the job capabilities of half of them, 60,000."

This year’s key achievements by project included raising security interest among youth as prospective personnel and conducting the K-Shield Junior program, a practical specialized course for young job seekers. The program provided over 200 hours of training for youths aspiring to work in information security, with 75% of graduates successfully employed. The remaining 25% pursued further education, such as graduate school or other cybersecurity training. The number of specialized information security universities increased by two this year, following three last year.

For existing workers, the K-Shield beginner, intermediate, and advanced programs strengthened the job capabilities of information security professionals. Notably, the practical cyber training center planned to train 2,820 people this year but exceeded the goal with 3,688 trainees by November. Education was also expanded regionally. Previously, cybersecurity training required traveling to Seoul or Pangyo, but now, through regional information security centers, training tailored to the needs of local small and medium enterprises and universities is provided. Through this, the government plans to cultivate 26,000 regional talents over five years.

The government budget for cybersecurity talent development, which was around 16 billion KRW from 2020 to 2022, rose to 23 billion KRW this year. Next year, it will increase by an additional 20.3%. The number of specialized information security universities will increase to seven, and the number of convergence security graduate schools will rise from 10 this year to 12 next year. The target number of trainees at the practical cyber training centers will nearly double from 2,820 this year to 5,450 next year, further strengthening specialized education. New projects have also been added, including training 90 next-generation security operation experts.

Starting next year, the government will widely publicize its achievements to the public. Lee said, "The KISA Academy website is being expanded and revamped as a site to introduce and inform the public about the cultivation of 100,000 cybersecurity talents," adding, "We will soon disclose the training goals and current status by institution, project, and year at a glance."