Abstract:

Sustainability encompasses environmental, economic, and social dimensions, aiming to promote a balanced approach to development, ensuring the longevity of resources, enhancing quality of life, and fostering economic stability and social equity. Cybersecurity, as an integral aspect of modern digital infrastructure, plays a critical role in promoting sustainable development. This is highlighted in policy initiatives such as in the EU Cybersecurity Strategy and in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Robust cybersecurity measures are essential for building resilient and secure infrastructures (SDG9), and for cultivating core cybersecurity skills and increasing employability opportunities of youth and adults (SDG4).

Beyond enhancing the trustworthiness and reliability of digital systems, cybersecurity is interlinked with green IT sustainability. Green IT sustainability focuses on reducing the environmental impact of information technology through energy-efficient practices, sustainable resource management, and the minimization of electronic waste. The relevance of green IT sustainability to the broader sustainability goals is significant, as it addresses the environmental footprint of the rapidly growing IT sector. The EU prioritizes green sustainability as a central component of the Green Deal policy agenda, aiming to transition to a resource-efficient economy by 2050. Sustainable practices in IT can support robust cybersecurity by promoting the use of secure, energy-efficient hardware and reducing the environmental impact of cyber incidents. Additionally, secure remote work and cloud computing contribute to reduced carbon footprints, demonstrating the synergy between cybersecurity and environmental sustainability. Thus, integrating cybersecurity with green IT practices not only enhances the security and resilience of digital infrastructure but also advances the overarching goals of sustainable development. Cultivating fundamental cybersecurity and green IT skills is of paramount importance to develop and support a safe, sustainable and resource-efficient society. As industries and workplaces evolve towards safer and greener practices, there is a growing demand for a workforce proficient in these skills to drive and sustain this transformation.

The objective of this work is to provide insights regarding the current efforts to upskill individuals to employ suitable technologies for a more sustainable and secure IT future, identifying essential skills that need to be cultivated. A critical analysis of the literature is performed, examining EU and international sustainability policies, learning initiatives, available online courses, and selected academic research papers. The study identifies virtualization as a core technology that promotes security and green IT sustainability. This technology improves IT infrastructure efficiency and scalability, optimizes resource utilization, and minimizes environmental impact. The investigations reveal a significant gap in initiatives aimed at cultivating the knowledge and skills related to green IT sustainability, virtualization, and cybersecurity, among individuals outside the IT domain. This gap highlights the urgent need for new educational initiatives to upskill individuals in these critical areas. The study’s findings lead to the proposal of future directions, addressing the knowledge and skills gap for the successful implementation and adoption of green IT and secure practices.

Keywords:

Cybersecurity, Sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, Green IT Sustainability, Virtualization, Upskilling, Training, Skills.