The cybersecurity sector in Catalonia has recorded a turnover of 1.2 billion euros in 2022, representing a 16% increase compared to the previous year and marking the highest figure in the historical series. This is revealed by the annual report “Cybersecurity in Catalonia,” prepared by the Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia and ACCIÓ, positioning Catalonia as one of the leading regions in Europe in this field.
A Notable Growth
The report, presented at the IOT Solutions World Congress held at the Fira de Barcelona in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, highlights the solid growth of the sector in the region. Currently, Catalonia is home to 516 cybersecurity companies, marking a 50% increase over the past five years. These companies employ 9,458 qualified professionals, strengthening the local economy and business fabric.
Predominance of SMEs
The majority of companies in the cybersecurity sector in Catalonia are small and medium-sized enterprises (85.3%), with 27.5% of them exporting their services internationally. In terms of revenue, 54.5% of these companies exceed one million euros annually, while 24.2% report revenues exceeding 10 million euros.
Leadership in Europe
The report also highlights Catalonia’s leadership at the European level. In 2023, Catalonia was the third region in the European Union to attract the most foreign investment projects, bringing in over 66 million euros and creating 400 new jobs. Notable investments come from multinational companies such as T-Systems, Getronics, and Advens.
Education and Technology Ecosystem
Catalonia stands out not only for hosting multinational companies like CISCO, IBM, and Microsoft but also for its robust educational and technological ecosystem. The region is home to a dozen specialized degree, master’s, and postgraduate programs in cybersecurity, as well as around fifty vocational training programs. Additionally, Catalonia boasts top-notch technological centers and research institutes, such as i2Cat, Eurecat, the Center of Computer Vision (CVC), the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), and the Telecommunications Technology Center of Catalonia.
Future Perspectives
The strong growth of the cybersecurity sector in Catalonia and its consolidation as a European leader reflect the region’s ability to adapt to emerging security needs in the digital environment. With a strong infrastructure, an advanced educational ecosystem, and a continuous attraction of foreign investments, Catalonia is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in cybersecurity in the coming years.