Ukraine is working to improve the training system and strengthen human resources in the field of information and cybersecurity. The reform envisages, among other things, the development and implementation of new professional standards based on international best practices. The new professional standards are important for both employers and educational institutions, which can adapt their educational and professional programs to them.
How exactly does this happen? What has already been implemented and what are the plans for the future? These and other issues were discussed on October 26 during the roundtable “Presentation of Updated Cybersecurity Education Programs” organized by experts of the USAID Project “Cybersecurity of Ukraine’s Critical Infrastructure”. The event was attended by representatives of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, who are working on developing professional standards, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, higher education institutions, etc.
Oleksandr Potiy, Deputy Chairman of the State Special Communications Service of Ukraine, thanked the American people and the USAID Project for their support and cooperation. He also spoke about the ecosystem of professional standardization, the role of the State Special Communications Service of Ukraine in it and reminded that in 2022, the first six new professional standards in the field of cybersecurity were developed, approved and entered into the Register of Qualifications in Ukraine. These are Information Security Systems Developer, Network and Systems Administrator, Information Security Specialist, Information and Telecommunications Systems Security Analyst, Security Specialist (Information and Communications Technology), and Information Security and Cybersecurity Instructor. In 2023, 15 more new professional standards have been drafted and will soon be approved.
“It is important to take into account the challenges we face in cyberspace and the current needs of the market already during training. Information and cybersecurity professionals must have the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively counter threats and provide reliable cyber defense. And the new professional standards are designed to help with this,” emphasized Potiy.
He noted that the main work on the development of the main professional standards is almost complete. We will continue to add several standards a year.
Oleksandr Potiy also shared plans for further steps to strengthen human resources in the field of cybersecurity. These include building a professional labor market, forming a personnel reserve, making the necessary changes to job descriptions and evaluation criteria for public sector professionals, and others – all to ensure that our cyberspace, information and communication systems are protected by professionals.
It should be noted that educational institutions have already begun to update their educational and professional programs in accordance with modern requirements and new professional standards. In particular, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Mariupol State University, Kharkiv National University of Electronics, etc. already have such experience. Representatives of these institutions shared their experience at the roundtable.
This work will continue next year. The introduction of new professional standards will help improve the quality of training in the field of cybersecurity and information protection.
As part of the reform, the State Classifier of Occupations was amended to include new professions in the field of cybersecurity and information security for the first time in many years (there are now 27 of them). In addition, there are plans to create a network of independent qualification centers in Ukraine, where specialists will be able to confirm the level of their knowledge, skills and competencies.
