The Most In-Demand Cybersecurity Jobs and Skills in 2025
Work Trends | New Stardom
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Nearly half of large UK businesses are struggling to fill critical cybersecurity roles, despite listing cyber risks among their top boardroom priorities, according to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025. This mirrors a broader global trend, with the cybersecurity sector facing a shortfall of 2.8 million skilled professionals worldwide, as highlighted in the 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report by the Global Cybersecurity Forum and Boston Consulting Group.
The shortage is adding pressure to organizations already dealing with more sophisticated threats and frequent attacks. Recent ransomware attacks on UK retailers and European logistics firms have sharpened demand for specialists in incident response, threat intelligence, and cloud security, areas employers consistently cite as their biggest gaps. As we reported in this analysis of the May 2025 UK high street attacks, these workforce shortages left many companies struggling to coordinate effective responses.
Openings for SOC analysts and incident response leads on various job platforms have increased by 22% year-on-year, as organizations aim to detect breaches faster and minimize response times. Employers are also looking for cloud security architects with experience managing multi-cloud environments, a role that remains difficult to fill as companies expand operations across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Threat intelligence are another priority. Hiring managers report growing demand for analysts capable of tracking ransomware groups, monitoring dark web activity, and supporting proactive defense strategies. Candidates with backgrounds in adversary simulation and intelligence platforms are now among the most sought after, according to recruiters interviewed for this article.
Top Cybersecurity Roles in High Demand
The cybersecurity landscape in 2025 has seen a significant shift, with certain roles emerging as particularly critical due to evolving threats and technological advancements:
AI Security Specialists: As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into business operations, there's a pressing need for professionals who can secure AI systems. Companies are actively seeking individuals with expertise in machine learning security and adversarial AI to protect against sophisticated threats.
Cloud Security Engineers: With the widespread adoption of cloud services, organizations require experts who can ensure the security of cloud infrastructures. Proficiency in platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, combined with knowledge of DevSecOps practices, is highly sought after.
Zero Trust Network Architects: Implementing Zero Trust security models has become a priority for many organizations. Professionals who can design and manage Zero Trust architectures are in high demand to help mitigate internal and external threats.
Quantum Cryptography Specialists: As quantum computing advances, there's an emerging need for specialists who can develop quantum-resistant encryption methods to safeguard sensitive data against future quantum threats.
Cyber Threat Intelligence Analysts: Organizations are investing in professionals who can proactively identify and analyze cyber threats, enabling them to respond swiftly to potential attacks.
Essential Skills for Today's Cybersecurity Professionals
Beyond specific roles, certain skills have become indispensable in the cybersecurity field:
Proficiency in Security Tools: Familiarity with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, intrusion detection systems, and other security tools is crucial for monitoring and responding to threats effectively.
Understanding of Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and other compliance standards is essential for ensuring that organizations meet legal requirements and protect user data.
Incident Response and Management: The ability to develop and implement incident response plans is vital for minimizing the impact of security breaches and ensuring business continuity.
Risk Assessment and Management: Identifying potential vulnerabilities and assessing the associated risks allows organizations to prioritize security measures effectively.
Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Given the rapidly evolving nature of cyber threats, professionals must commit to ongoing education and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.
The skill sets these roles require are technical and specific. Proficiency in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms remains a baseline expectation, but employers increasingly expect familiarity with automation and AI-driven security tools. Organizations are also hiring professionals who can implement Zero Trust models and integrate secure software development practices into DevSecOps pipelines.
Some areas remain emerging but are starting to influence hiring strategies. Post-quantum cryptography, operational technology (OT) security, and AI security are beginning to appear in job postings, though these remain niche domains requiring specialist expertise.
The World Economic Forum has warned that the shortage of cybersecurity professionals risks slowing down critical digital transformation projects, as companies struggle to balance resilience with innovation. Companies not only face recruitment challenges but also retention pressures, with cybersecurity professionals in high demand across industries.
This article is part of New Stardom’s series on the cybersecurity skills gap. In the next report, we will examine why organizations are struggling to attract cybersecurity talent, and how some are rethinking hiring strategies to close the gap.
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