According to a recent study[1] by Kaspersky’s internal research center, nearly 40% of learners receive digital education for professional development. At the same time, IT and digital skills have emerged as the most popular area of study, highlighting the growing demand for competencies needed in an increasingly digital economy.
In 2025 alone, Kaspersky's Anti-Phishing system thwarted more than 5 million attempts to follow phishing links. As threats of this scale become part of everyday digital life in both personal and professional settings, digital literacy and IT skills have turned into a necessity not only for staying competitive in the labor market, but also for keeping a safe and secure life. This growing need is reflected in how learners approach digital education today.
According to the study, 39% of respondents cite professional development as their main motivation for participating in digital education. Learners are increasingly relying on online education to gain new competencies, improve existing skills and remain competitive in the workforce. As for the regional breakdown, the trend is especially pronounced in India (51%), Italy (48%) and Spain (45%).
At the same time, IT and digital skills are the most commonly studied areas in digital education programs: 32% of respondents chose IT and digital, leaving the second and third most popular categories — languages (11%) and job-specific skills (10%) — far behind. It is also noteworthy that an interest in developing digital skills resonates with users regardless of their employment status: whether currently employed (32%) or not (29%), people gravitate toward IT and digital skills.
IT skills also stand out as the most sought-after field of study across every age group: Gen Z shows the highest share at 39%, Millennials (31%), Gen X (28%), and even Boomers (26%)[2], also rank IT as their top area of interest.
“As digital technologies continue to reshape the way we work, communicate and live, learning can no longer be seen as something that ends with formal education. Developing digital skills is becoming an important part of long-term career growth, helping people adapt to changing job requirements, explore new opportunities and remain competitive in an evolving digital economy. The growing interest in IT education also shows that people increasingly recognize the value of practical technical skills that they can apply at work and in daily tasks,” says Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Academic Affairs at Kaspersky.
As interest in digital skills grows, it's equally important to pair that knowledge with an understanding of the risks associated with technologies. Kaspersky experts recommend the following training programs to help professionals and learners build in-demand skills, strengthen their career prospects and navigate the digital world safely:
- Free Kaspersky Cyberhygiene online course offers practical, everyday value for anyone looking to stay safe online and use devices securely. As of today, the course on digital skills development is available in four languages, including English, Italian, French and Russian.
- For professionals already working in the cybersecurity industry, Kaspersky Cybersecurity Training helps sharpen hard skills and build the expertise needed to defend organizations against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.
- For those taking their first steps toward a career in cybersecurity, the Cybersecurity. Entry Level training program provides a solid foundation in key security concepts along with hands-on practice, equipping learners with the core competencies needed to enter the field.
[1] The study was conducted by Kaspersky’s internal research center in August 2026. 1,864 respondents aged 18–65 who participated in education with a dedicated plan in an online or hybrid format within the past 12 months, from 18 countries (Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam), took part in the survey.
[2] Gen Z: age 18-28; Millennials: age 29-44; Gen X: age 45-60; Boomers: age 61+.
