Cybersecurity's Talent Gap: A Growing Crisis

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the demand for skilled professionals continues to surge, even as broader economic uncertainties cast a shadow over the job market. According to the latest data from CyberSeek™, the most comprehensive source of information on the U.S. cybersecurity workforce, employers across both the private and public sectors have deployed 514,359 job listings over the past 12 months. This represents a 12% increase from the previous reporting period, highlighting the relentless need for cybersecurity talent.

The new data release from CyberSeek coincides with the 2025 NICE Conference & Expo in Denver, themed "Climbing Higher: Educating & Sustaining a Resilient Cybersecurity Workforce." This theme underscores the urgent need for robust data and insights to inform strategic planning across private and public sector organizations. Rodney Petersen, director of NICE, emphasized the importance of scaling and sustaining education and workforce development programs to meet the growing demands of the cybersecurity sector.

One of the most striking findings from the CyberSeek data is the increasing requirement for AI skills in cybersecurity job postings. Over the past 12 months, approximately 10% of employers recruiting for cybersecurity positions cited AI as a requirement. This trend reflects the growing integration of AI-driven security automation and the need for professionals who can develop, implement, and manage these advanced technologies.



The global cybersecurity employment baseline, as estimated by CyberSeek, stands at 4,970,000 professionals, with a range estimate of 4.4 million to 5.5 million. This figure encompasses both dedicated cybersecurity professionals and adjacent IT professionals with significant cybersecurity responsibilities. Despite broader economic uncertainty, the demand for cybersecurity talent remains high, with a workforce gap continuing to challenge both the public and private sectors.

The supply-demand ratio calculated by CyberSeek is 74%, suggesting a larger gap between perceived employer cybersecurity staffing needs and the potential supply of talent. Other factors adding complexity to the dynamic include recruiting periods that are 21% longer on average, the emergence of yet-to-be-defined AI-enabled threats, the pace of technical and process change, and the ever-present challenges of continuous learning and skills development.

Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA, highlighted the importance of a layered approach to cybersecurity defense strategies, especially in the emerging domains of AI (SecAI) and operational technology security (SecOT). New security protocols and skills will be needed to address these evolving threats, further underscoring the need for a robust and adaptable cybersecurity workforce.

The latest CyberSeek release shows that cybersecurity talent needs span the country, with businesses of all sizes and every industry sector type, as well as state and local governments, contending with decisions of building their cybersecurity teams through recruitment or internal development. The top 10 states account for approximately 55% of hiring activity via job posting volumes, with the remaining 45% distributed among every other state.



In conclusion, the cybersecurity job market is at a critical juncture. While the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow, the supply of talent remains insufficient to meet the needs of organizations. The integration of AI into cybersecurity operations presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also adaptable to emerging technologies. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, the need for a resilient and well-equipped cybersecurity workforce will be more important than ever.