Dag Flachet, Co-Founder at Codific explores the growing educational space of cybersecurity in education, as universities and schools globally respond to the scaling skills gap
As students return to classrooms around the globe this autumn, the cybersecurity sector continues to grapple with a significant talent shortfall. Today, the global cybersecurity workforce numbers just 4.7 million professionals, far short of the surging demand for expertise in cyber defense.
Compounding the urgency, ransomware attacks against educational institutions rose 23% year-over-year in the first half of 2025, pushing schools to the fourth-most-targeted sector.
In response to growing threats and workforce gaps, institutions and training providers have expanded cybersecurity programs this semester, signaling that cybersecurity education is now viewed as a strategic imperative. Here are some of the efforts to close this gap:
Expanding university programmes in the US and Europe
At the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), the launch of a new College of AI, Cyber and Computing in fall 2025 is set to enroll over 5,000 students, threading cybersecurity education into an integrated technology ecosystem. This builds on earlier growth: UTSA had already seen a 31% increase in student enrollment in cybersecurity-related disciplines since 2019.
“Our newest college is at the epicentre of the digital convergence that will shape the future, as it focuses on thought leadership, new innovations, transdisciplinary collaboration and future applications of AI, computing and data science,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy.
Also noteworthy is Northwood University’s new three-year Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity, a programme launched this semester to offer career-ready education more affordably and quickly. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 33% job growth for information security analysts over the next decade, a trend Northwood underscores with its programme design.
Dr. Horcher, Northwood Cybersecurity programme lead, said: “This transformative reduced-credit bachelor’s degree program will provide a highly trained, qualified workforce to meet job demand more quickly to ensure information security protection of data, systems and ultimately, people.”
In the US, community colleges and four-year institutions are seeing substantial increases in cybersecurity enrollments. The Gray Decision Intelligence Program Evaluation System reports that 11,790 new students enrolled in associate-level cybersecurity programs in 2023/2024 up 26% compared to the prior year. Undergraduate certificate enrollments rose 18%, while bachelor’s and master’s programmes grew by 20% and 27% year-over-year, respectively.
In Europe, the EPICODE Institute of Technology has introduced a fully accredited Bachelor in Cybersecurity in Italy, Malta and Germany, with opportunities for double degrees through US. partnerships. Similarly, the German University of Digital Science began offering a Cyber Security micro-degree earlier this year as part of its digital-first, tuition-fair model.
Industry backed trainings and programs
Google has committed US$25 million by 2025 to launch cybersecurity clinics at colleges including Dakota State University, the University of Texas at El Paso and Spelman College, set to begin operating this academic year to train students while supporting small businesses. At the same time, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium’s pledge to provide one million free entry-level trainings has already drawn more than half a million enrollees, underscoring the global appetite for accessible cybersecurity pathways.
K-12 and pre-university programmes
The high-school pipeline is also shifting. The College Board will pilot AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking courses starting in Fall 2025 across hundreds of US schools. These Career Kickstart courses mark the first time advanced placement frameworks have been applied to cybersecurity, giving students early exposure to foundational concepts.
“AP Cybersecurity opens countless doors for students by offering real-life experiences in the field of cybersecurity. It prepares students for the workforce and equips them for both two- and four-year colleges. The AP Cybersecurity course is particularly beneficial for hands-on learners, providing inclusive opportunities for all students to engage with the subject,” said Beth Cerrone, National Cybersecurity Education Award winner.
Global training market growth
On the global scale, the cybersecurity training industry is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 17.1% between 2024 and 2030, according to Grand View Research. By 2030, the industry’s revenue is expected to hit $13.7 billion, signalling considerable expansion in online and professional cybersecurity training.
Fall 2025 sees diversified, sizable investments in cybersecurity education, from boosted enrollments in associate, bachelor’s and master’s tracks; to rapid-completion degrees; industry backed projects; high-school innovations; and global training expansions. Across North America and beyond, educational institutions are responding to both workforce strain and rising cyberthreats with large investments in programming and curriculum shifts.
Looking ahead
The rise in cybersecurity programmes strengthens the pipeline of defenders, researchers and practitioners across all levels of education. At the same time, artificial intelligence is becoming central to curricula, preparing students to address both AI-driven threats and AI-powered defenses in an evolving threat landscape.
As students of all ages head back to school, educators and institutions are sending a clear signal: cybersecurity education is no longer an afterthought; it is a key competence in tomorrow’s workforce. At a time when the nature of jobs is evolving faster than ever, many question the utility of post secondary education. One fact remains constant: whether pursued through a full bachelor’s or master’s degree, or through a self-paced online course, cybersecurity skills are certain to open doors while also helping to close ports.
