Governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide are facing significant threats from cyber security breaches. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the demand for cyber security professionals globally, and this trend is expected to continue, leading to labour shortages in several countries. To address the shortage of skilled workers in the cyber security sector, it is crucial to understand the dynamics of supply and demand for cyber security skills. Governments and organisations can utilise this information to identify weaknesses and determine areas that require additional resources. By analysing job postings, one can identify trends in the demand for cyber security professionals and the skills needed to strengthen organisations’ cyber security. Additionally, studying cyber security education and training programmes provides valuable insights into the development of the cyber security workforce and potential discrepancies between supply and demand.

Latin America (LATAM) is not immune to the growing global cyber security challenges. The region’s quick‑paced digital transformation and expanded connectivity make it prone to cyber threats. Both individuals and organisations find themselves increasingly at risk of cyber attacks as they become more reliant on digital technologies for many facets of their daily lives and operations. In addition, Latin America possesses significant assets and essential infrastructure that could represent targets for cyber criminals. Developing a strong cyber security workforce is vital to safeguard the digital assets in the region, uphold economic stability, and protect the privacy and security of its population.

This chapter provides an overview of the report’s objectives and rationale and summarises the main takeaways. It discusses the results from the analysis of the demand for cyber security professionals in Chile, Colombia and Mexico. It also summarises the main findings from the analysis of the landscape of cyber security education and training programmes in Colombia. It concludes with actionable policy pointers.

This chapter provides an analysis of millions of online job postings the describe the demand for cyber security professionals in Chile, Colombia and Mexico in 2021 and 2022. The chapter discusses the demand for different cyber security roles, and the geographical location of the demand. To provide a broader context, it also investigates the demand for digital, engineering, and math-related occupations and explores their correlation with the need for cyber security personnel. Moreover, the research highlights specific skills and certifications that are in high demand within the cyber security professions.

This chapter explores cyber security education and training in Colombia, focusing on preparation for entry-level cyber security roles. It describes the landscape of education and training programmes, current learner profiles, and labour market outcomes. Special attention is dedicated to efforts to create a strong framework for the provision of cyber security programmes, including national strategies for cyber security skills, and efforts to diversify provision within higher education and to tackle teacher shortages. The chapter also looks at access and inclusion, describing challenges and initiatives designed to promote participation in cyber security learning, including among female learners and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.