Cyber Ireland Hosts Successful First National Cybersecurity Careers Fair at Munster Technological University 

On March 5th, Cyber Ireland, in collaboration with Cyber Futures and Road2Cyber (ECSO and Women4Cyber), proudly hosted the inaugural National Cybersecurity Careers Fair, at Munster Technological University in Cork. This landmark event brought together nearly 500 attendees from across Ireland and featured seventeen key exhibitors, each offering a wealth of opportunities for students and early-career professionals in the fast-growing cybersecurity industry. 

The fair marked a significant milestone in connecting emerging talent with industry leaders, and it’s clear from the overwhelming turnout, and positive feedback, that this was just the beginning of something much bigger. 

An Impressive Lineup of Industry Leaders 

Exhibitors at the event included top cybersecurity and tech companies, such as: 

  • State Street
  • Mckesson
  • eSentire
  • BlueVoyant
  • NCSC
  • SunLife
  • Qualcomm
  • Cyber Innovate
  • Northern Trust
  • ESET
  • UKG
  • Berkely Group
  • JRI- America Tralee
  • Cyber Ireland
  • Cyber Skills
  • Eoad2Cyber (ECSO) 
  • MTU Careers Office  

These leading companies showcased a variety of entry-level roles, placement opportunities, and graduate programs, all aimed at helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Students had the opportunity to meet with potential employers, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions about the career paths available in cybersecurity. 

A Day of Discovery and Networking 

The fair was about job opportunities and fostering an ecosystem of growth, knowledge, and inspiration. It was a unique chance for students to discover the wide array of cybersecurity career paths and gain insights into what it takes to thrive in an industry that is evolving rapidly.  

A Call to Action for Future Events 

The success of this first National Cybersecurity Careers Fair is a testament to the rising demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals and the growing interest in the industry. With almost 500 attendees and such strong engagement, there is no doubt that this event has sparked interest in hosting similar fairs in the future. 

We hope this event inspires more companies to participate in future fairs and encourages more students and professionals to engage with the world of cybersecurity. Events like this are crucial in building connections, creating career opportunities, and helping to shape the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. 

Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and it’s clear that the talent pipeline in Ireland is growing. Let’s continue building on this momentum and work together to create a brighter future for cybersecurity in Ireland.

'There is a worldwide shortage of cybersecurity skills and in Ireland our annual member survey has found 66% of organisations have cybersecurity skills, recruitment or retention issues. Ireland has the potential to grow our cybersecurity sector employment from 8,000 jobs today to 17,000 by 2030. We need to have a pipeline of cybersecurity skills coming through our universities to meet the demand of industry and protect organisations, and a key ingredient of this are early career opportunities for graduates. The first national Cyber Careers Fair meets this need promoting cybersecurity career opportunities from the top employers in the country to university students.’ 
Eoin Byrne
Cyber Ireland Cluster Manager