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In a world overflowing with information, learning does not suffer from a lack of available knowledge but from a lack of focus. Professionals are often presented with broad, generic content that overwhelms rather than empowers. What is needed instead is targeted, role-based learning that builds real capability, confidence and preparedness especially in areas that are complex and fast evolving such as cybersecurity and AI.
SMEs and public administration face increasing pressure to digitalize operations and strengthen cybersecurity resilience yet struggle with limited resources and access to specialized expertise. Many faces shortage of cybersecurity and AI related skills, insufficient problem solving and critical thinking capacity. These gaps slow down digital transformation, weaken organizational resilience and make it difficult to move from strategic intent to operational execution particularly within AI and the public sector in Sweden.
In Sweden, these challenges are being addressed through a coordinated national effort led by Cybercampus Sweden where KTH, RISE and Linköping University collaborate to strengthen cybersecurity competence for SMEs and public sector. Through this collaboration, Cybercampus creates a platform where research, education and applied innovation reinforce one another. This enables scalable approaches to reskilling in cybersecurity and AI while a growing network of partners contributes to long term national resilience. Here is how FRA (TheSwedish Defence Radio Institute) described its engagement when joining as a partner:
"FRA (the Swedish Defence Radio Institute), through NCSC-SE welcomes the partnership with Cybercampus Sweden as an important step in strengthening Sweden's overall cybersecurity capabilities. Through collaboration between academia, business and public actors, we create better conditions for knowledge development, innovation and a more resilient society." - John Billow, Director of the National Cyber Security Center Sweden, NCSC-SE.
These national efforts are complemented at a European level through CYCERONE, a project developing several cybersecurity courses in multiple European languages. To ensure the courses respond to real organizational needs, the project began with skills gap analysis followed by complementary interviews at country level. A part of the work is carried out through Sweden’s Cybernode member organizations as survey participants and respondents. While Cybercampus provides the national coordination framework for strengthening cybersecurity competence, Cybernode functions as an operational ecosystem hub bringing together business organizations, public authorities and academic sectors. By engaging its extensive member network, a broad representation from both the private and public sectors across Sweden is ensured. As Johanna Parikka Altenstedt, Coordinator at Cybernode says:
“By 2025, the Cybernode has reached a critical mass on the ecosystem of cybersecurity actors with its approximately 450 members.
Therefore, it is relevant that they have also been involved and given their view of what are current development areas in the cyber sector. We at the Cybernode at RISE see this survey as support for the Private-Public Partnership development that the whole country needs in the area, and that competence communities are about. In terms of preliminary results, it is interesting to discover that organizations value problem-solving and critical thinking the most, alongside leadership, as soft skills required in cybersecurity. In terms of technical areas, cloud security, incident response, and system architecture rank among the top three. It also confirms our picture of the situation right now".
The findings are in use for the designing and delivery of CYCERONE courses to combine awareness, hands-on learning and practical testing. The courses are
supported by advanced training environments across Sweden. At KTH, the Royal Ethical Hacking Lab provides a controlled setting for hands-on learning in penetration testing and ethical hacking. RISE contributes applied training environments through RISE Cyber Range by enabling realistic scenario simulations of cyber incidents and complex attack scenarios. At Linköping University, a new cybersecurity lab opened in May 2025, offering tailored undergraduate and professional cybersecurity training. The facilities provide a secure venue for applied training in both offensive and defensive security techniques, offering the flexibility needed to adapt to specific training needs.
Worried about a lack of technical security skills, problem-solving, or hands-on experience with cybersecurity problems? Learn how drive digital transformation in public administration and SMEs in Sweden, with KTH, RISE, and LiU - bridging the cybersecurity skills gap with CYCERONE’s free training programs.
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