The fast development of information and communication technology (ICT) leads to an increasing dependence on the cyber space in personal everyday lives as well as for the functioning of economies and states more widely. An increasing number of public services are dependent on the cyber space, including those that are vital for the functioning of the society, such as rescue, electricity and water supply, phone and telecommunications, currency circulation, payment services or management of personal identities. There is an increasing share of personal data created in the cyber space as a result of using various public and private services or from devices connected to the web. All this increases the complexity of the cyber space, the dangers involved and the threat of abuse of this data, which in turn can have serious and wide-ranging effects on national security and the functioning of daily lives.

This leads to an increasing need for knowledge and skills on cyber security to prevent the various threats in the cyber space and act on these threats adequately when necessary. Furthermore, the international community values highly the experience possessed in Estonia on digital services and cyber security which should be maintained and developed further through qualified specialists in the field.

The aim of the research is to map the need for specialists in cyber security in the next five-year perspective in Estonia in both public as well as the private sector. The research is focused on mapping the knowledge and skills needed in the field as well as evaluating the demand and supply of labour force. Based on the data gathered and analysed, recommendations will be made with the aim to ensure sufficient qualified labour force in cyber security in Estonia.