• More than 200 students from universities such as EHU, Mondragon University, Deusto, EUNEIZ, DIGIPEN, the University of Cantabria, and the University of La Rioja participated in the ethical hacking and computer security tests.
• The demand for specialised cybersecurity profiles is skyrocketing in the Basque Country and Spain, with more than 9000 positions linked to engineering and IT and a shortage of 42 000 professionals nationwide.

The rise in cyberattacks and the resulting surge in demand for cybersecurity professionals has led IKERLAN to launch the first university cybersecurity challenge in the Basque Country, IK3RL4N Capture The Flag. This competition combines hands-on learning with talent identification in a booming sector. Following a preliminary elimination round, in which more than 200 students participated over the past few weeks, the grand final was held today at "La Perrera" in Bilbao.

During the final, participants had to solve challenges related to ethical hacking and computer system protection within a limited timeframe. To achieve this, they applied vulnerability analysis, cryptography and reverse engineering techniques. As well as prior technical knowledge, teamwork and learning skills were essential for success in this grand finale.

'Digitalisation has opened up great opportunities, but also new threats. ”At IKERLAN, we are seeing the demand from companies to protect themselves against potential security incidents grow at an astonishing rate. This requires highly qualified professionals. Events like this one allow us to reach out to universities and attract talent to pursue careers in this vital future economic sector”, said David González, Head of Cybersecurity and Dependability at IKERLAN.

Alongside IKERLAN, collaborating companies such as ORBIK, SECURE&IT, and JAKINCODE have joined this pioneering initiative and played a prominent role in awarding prizes to the finalist student teams. Salva Trujillo, CEO of ORBIK, emphasizes the importance of “participating in these types of initiatives that inspire new technological vocations and are committed to bringing innovation to university classrooms.”

This initiative forms part of IKERLAN's commitment to training and nurturing university talent. In 2024, IKERLAN published 48 scientific articles, 34 of which appeared in high-impact journals. The company also registered 47 new patents and registrations. The company also supported 55 doctoral theses, with 11 new projects initiated and six completed. In addition to its strategic collaboration with Mondragon University, strengthened its network of collaboration with universities such as the UPV/EHU, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, the University of Cantabria, and Radboud University in the Netherlands. This has further solidified its position as a leading research organisation.

Through technological assets, patents, theses and events such as IK3RL4N Capture The Flag, IKERLAN seeks to bring applied research closer to the university environment and awaken vocations in key areas such as cybersecurity, consolidating its role as a driving force for technological talent in the Basque Country and its surroundings.
 
IKERLAN, a benchmark in industrial cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a strategic part of IKERLAN's activity, with a team of 60 professionals working for leading clients in industrial and technological environments, such as Orona, Cegasa, Ingeteam and Laboral Kutxa.

In 2024, the Basque technology centre's industrial cybersecurity laboratory became the first in Spain to be accredited by ENAC for testing industrial automation and control systems. This pioneering achievement cements its position as a European leader in industrial security, particularly in the realm of connected electronic products. Building on this work is ORBIK, a spin-off created by IKERLAN in 2023 that is unique in Spain, specialising in helping European industrial manufacturers to certify their products as cyber-secure before regulations require it. Through initiatives like this, the centre reaffirms its commitment to and leadership in creating a safer, more resilient industry prepared for digital challenges.

A sector with growing demand for talent

Cyberattacks in the Basque Country have grown by 48 % in the last two years and are increasingly affecting companies and institutions, which received some 50 000 threats last year, 40 % more than the previous year. Every month, an average of 3500 incidents related to malicious software are recorded, and more than half of the incidents are motivated by financial frauds, according to data from Cyberzaintza.

At the same time, the demand for specialised cybersecurity profiles continues to grow. In the Basque Country alone, more than 3700 IT professionals are needed, 1800 in industrial engineering and 3600 in other engineering fields related to technology. At the national level, the gap between supply and demand exceeds 42 000 people, according to the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA).

The sector also faces the challenge of increasing the presence of women: although STEAM degrees are gaining female students, only 18 % of cybersecurity graduates are women.

About IKERLAN

IKERLAN is a leading centre in technology transfer and in providing competitive value to industry. It offers integral solutions combining different technological domains in three main areas: digital technologies and artificial intelligence, embedded electronic systems and cybersecurity, and mechatronics and energy technologies. It currently has a team of 420 people and offices in Arrasate-Mondragón, Donostialdea and Bilbao. As a cooperative member of the MONDRAGON and the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), IKERLAN represents a sustainable, competitive business model in permanent transformation.

IKERLAN reaffirms its commitment to industrial cybersecurity and training talent in this field.