Ireland has become a true hub of technological innovation. The biggest players in the landscape have their European HQ based in Ireland. The Emerald Isle has seen the likes of Apple, Google and Meta set up here, and alongside them, very exciting local corporations have grown with success. Ireland’s thriving tech market makes the country very attractive to cybersecurity professionals!
The Cyber Security Market in Ireland
The rise of Ireland as a digital hub makes it a natural choice for the biggest names in cyber security when seeking a location for their EU operations.
Ireland has an impressive cyber security industry and it ranges across the island, not just in the capital city of Dublin.
The State of Cyber Security Sector 2022 report identified 7,351 private sector professionals working in the cyber security sector, with the potential for 17,000 private sector jobs by 2030.
In Cork, there is a strong cluster of cyber security companies with international services or global innovation teams, including McAfee, Sophos, SolarWinds, Trend Micro, and Forcepoint. Qualcomm has a state-of-the-art security lab in Cork, including a dedicated, world-class team whose goal is to discover cybersecurity vulnerabilities during all stages of system-on-a-chip (SoC) development.
Galway is home to The National Centre for Security Research, where researchers can collaborate on AI for security, edge-to-cloud security, and security analytics. Galway is Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s European hub for cybersecurity operations, with a multi-business campus for R&D, cloud & engineering teams. With a skilled talent pool, companies like Genesys, SAP, Fidelity Investments, MetLife and Cisco have found success scaling teams in Galway.
Projected Demand by 2030
The potential for growth in Ireland’s cyber security sector is estimated at c.10% per annum.
This would suggest that cyber security employment in Ireland could increase to up to 17,333 in 2030.
The forecasted market growth will have implications on the demand for cyber security talent within Ireland, suggesting that an additional 1,000 people per annum will need to be trained, upskilled, or recruited in the coming years, making it a great place to relocate to if you are skilled in cyber security!
What Hiring Managers Are Looking for in Cyber Security Professionals
We asked our Cyber Security Recruitment Consultants, Bláthnaid & Oran, for their expert insights on hiring in the cybersecurity space.
Cyber Security Contractors
The skills you need to have a successful career in cyber security will differ depending on the job, however, it is important to have a strong foundational understanding of the most common skills/technologies. As your career grows it can be beneficial to 'find your niche' and focus on one area of Security, so that you can become a subject matter expert.
Increasingly I am finding hiring managers want to hire people who have a good mix of technical and non-technical capabilities - someone who has a strong background in Engineering, but has good knowledge of Security Controls & Protocols, and can work with people in Governance, Risk & Compliance.
Soft skills are also very important in a lot of cyber security jobs as often the more senior positions involve training & providing awareness to other areas of the business! Senior cyber security professionals will sometimes be required to speak with non-technical stakeholders, so communication is key.
Continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technology are very important, and hiring managers are increasingly looking for evidence of this through gaining new certifications or participation in local cyber security groups/conferences etc.
As a contract recruiter, tenure on a CV isn't as important as it might be for a permanent recruiter, however, it is important to specify on your CV whether a job was contract or permanent. You don't want to risk a Hiring Manager thinking you 'job hop' or regularly leave contracts before the official end date.
(Written by Bláthnaid McElduff – Contract Recruitment Consultant)
Permanent Cyber Security
To start your career, it’s important to understand the basics of computer networks, such as network protocols, TCP/IP and routing/switching. Gaining some certifications in cyber security fundamentals can help to get your feet on the ground.
It’s beneficial to choose one area to work in initially. Gaining a few years of experience in that specific area will lead to promotions to more senior jobs, and eventually open doors to specialising in more advanced areas of cyber security.
It’s common for cyber security professionals to start in a Blue Team or a Red Team job. A typical Blue Team job is a SOC (Security Operations Centre) Analyst, while a popular Red Team job is a Penetration Tester.
It’s important to note that when you are a cyber security professional, especially if you act as a consultant, your clients may not have an understanding of what cyber security is or the risks associated with it. Great communication skills will help you to deliver engagements effectively.
(Written by Oran Campbell – Permanent Recruitment Consultant)
What Salary Does a Cyber Security Professional Make in Ireland?
Perspective Economics (Cyber Ireland) suggests that the advertised median cyber security salary in 2022 was €75k in a dedicated firm.
Lightcast Spotlight also suggests that the median advertised cyber security salary is increasing, up 4% from 2021, and 8% from 2020, suggesting that the profession is creating progressively high-value jobs.
Likewise in other tech industries, the salary of a professional in cyber security can be higher for more experienced individuals, those working in larger companies or working in Dublin City Centre. Daily rate contractors will also earn higher than permanent employees.
Rent, House Prices & Cost of Living
Similarly to salaries, the cost of living across Ireland will vary depending on location.
Daft.ie produces quarterly reports on rental and housing prices across Ireland. In Q4 of 2023, the average rent price in Ireland was €1,823 per month.
In Dublin 10 the average rent price for a 1-bed apartment was €1,322 and in Dublin 2 the average rent was €2,006. You can see how much rental prices vary across one county. This is no different between counties, with those on the West coast being more affordable compared to Dublin City.
Daft.ie provides loads of great information on rental prices across Ireland. They also have resources on Irish house prices.
We have a detailed guide for those moving to Ireland, outlining the average cost of living in Ireland, including prices of everyday items, childcare, transportation & utilities.
Whether you’re already living in Ireland or are considering relocating here, Reperio Human Capital would love the opportunity to help you find a cybersecurity job in Ireland!
Get in touch with one of our recruiters today!
Contract: Bláthnaid McElduff
📞 +353 (0)1 553 9511 💻 b.mcelduff@reperiohc.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn - Bláthnaid (McElduff) Nic Giolla Dhuibh | LinkedIn
Permanent: Oran Campbell
📞 +353 (0)1 574 1270 💻 o.campbell@reperiohc.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn - Oran Campbell | LinkedIn
(Written by Elise Ralph)