The purpose of this paper is to present a preliminary analysis of the cybersecurity market demand in the nursing and health sector. Currently, the market demand study is ongoing under the Digital Europe Programme CyberSecPro project, which strengthens the role of higher education institutions as a provider of practical and working life skills. The project promotes reliable digital transformation in critical sectors, such as healthcare. The rapid development of e-health emphasizes the central position of cybersecurity in healthcare organizations that are increasingly the targets of cyber-attacks. This descriptive literature review explores what a nurse needs to know about cybersecurity. Our results show that awareness of cyber risks is weak in the healthcare sector. Understanding cyber risks and recognizing the effects of one's own activities increases the cybersecurity of the entire organization, therefore cybersecurity training for nurses should be increased. Our study suggested that nurses’ most important cyber skills are their own cyber-safe way of operations, identifying cyber threats related to equipment, identifying the effects of cyber disruptions, and acting in a cyber disruption situation. Future nurse training programs should be updated to include these skills. Additionally, the teaching of nurses must be developed so that it meets these competence needs.
The quality of online and e‐learning is crucial for ensuring that students in European higher education have access to high‐quality education and are prepared for the future workforce. The Train‐the‐Trainer (TTT) model and implementation approach can play a crucial role in improving the quality of online and e‐learning by providing educators with the skills and knowledge they need to design, deliver and evaluate practical online and e‐learning courses. This paper is part of the EU innovation project Empower Competencies for Onlife Learning in Higher Education (ECOLHE) and utilised a mixed‐methods case study. The project has designed, developed and implemented a TTT approach and executed a TTT programme for online learning as pedagogical development practices. The pilot study, conducted as part of the ECOLHE project, evaluated the impact of the TTT and presented the findings. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of TTT in improving educators' competencies and the overall quality of online education for students' development. The paper argues that these findings can be developed into best practices for the TTT programme. The TTT approach can potentially create a larger pool of highly skilled educators across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and increase the education offering capacity. This can lead to significant improvements in online and e‐learning experiences, ultimately empowering students for success. The paper emphasises the importance of ongoing professional development for educators in online learning practices. The TTT approach empowers educators to create online learning environments that facilitate student development and progress by fostering these competencies within a real‐world context. The ECOLHE project focused on online learning only, in future, similar studies exploring TTT programmes in other educational formats could yield valuable insights for educators and policy makers across the board. The wider implementation of ‘Train‐the‐Trainer’ approach can improve online education and digital transformation across the EHEA.
28 February 2024 in Community Notebook. People, Education and Welfare in the Society 5.0
The digital transformations bring opportunities and challenges in modern societies, especially profound impact on the European higher education institutes (HEIs). Digital technologies and online learning are becoming increasingly common after the recent COVID-19 phenomenon. The continued digital technologies adoption in human lives has led to the emergence of a new approach to learning called “onlife learning.” “Onlife learning” emphasises the integration of formal and informal learning, using technology for lifelong learning, and the need for new skills and competencies. In HE, “onlife learning” is becoming more prevalent, however, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to training and skills development. The key competencies for “onlife learning” include digital literacy, critical thinking, and self-directed learning. These competencies can be developed through various approaches, including experiential learning, blended learning, problem solutions and online learning. The technologies play an important role in “onlife learning”. It is essential to support learners in developing their digital skills. This includes providing access and usage training to appropriate technologies, which is especially important to create opportunities for learners to practice their digital skills. The paper provides valuable insights into the best practices for training and skills development in “onlife learning” in European HEIs. The findings are the outcomes of the EU Innovation project ECOLHE. They can be used to inform the design of effective working-life training, skills and competencies development that support learners in developing the competencies they need to succeed in a rapidly changing digital world.
25 June 2025 in European Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security
The European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF) offers a practical approach to developing a skilled cybersecurity workforce. The paper explores the application of the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework (ECSF) in real-world cybersecurity training in EU innovation projects, addressing a significant research gap. By providing insights and best practices, this study aims to support organisations and communities in enhancing cybersecurity talent and workforce development. It offers valuable information for stakeholders such as policymakers, educational institutions, training providers, and cybersecurity professionals. Ultimately, the goal is to promote a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity skills development and strengthen Europe’s cybersecurity workforce. Ultimately, the goal is to promote a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity skills development and to strengthen Europe’s cybersecurity workforce. In the field of cybersecurity, EU innovation projects play a vital role in developing new solutions and fostering a more resilient digital environment. This study specifically focuses on the relationship between implementing ECSF in the EU innovation projects, particularly CyberSecPro, NERO and CyberSynchrony. These projects aim to develop solutions for cybersecurity education and training. They also seek to strengthen the resilience of the European market against cyber threats by promoting the adoption of advanced cybersecurity solutions. This study highlights the practical implications of implementing the ECSF in these projects and its potential to enhance cybersecurity skills development and workforce competencies within EU nations.
This paper explores the critical need for harmonising Cybersecurity Professional Education and Training (CPET) across the European Union, helping professionals from all sectors of the economy to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, capabilities and values to cope with the cybersecurity challenges in their daily work. The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of addressing the growing cybersecurity challenges. However, cyber threats continue to evolve and spread quickly. It demands a coordinated approach to developing cybersecurity skills and knowledge. It is essential for strengthening the EU's overall security posture. This paper argues that the need for a robust and harmonised Cybersecurity Education and Training (CPET) framework or solutions is becoming increasingly critical. A qualitative research methodology is employed to better understand the complexities involved in CPET harmonisation. This study draws on a wide range of sources, including literature, expert interviews, and panel discussions, to examine the challenges and opportunities of harmonising cybersecurity education and training (CPET) across Europe. It argues that by adopting targeted strategic recommendations, the EU can strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities, boost resilience, and better protect its digital infrastructure through a more unified and effective approach.