01 April 2025

The UK’s cybersecurity sector, which generated £13.2 billion in revenue over the past year, is facing a significant challenge in the form of a skills gap that threatens its future growth.

A new report from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) reveals that 44% of UK businesses lack basic cybersecurity skills, while 27% are missing the advanced expertise necessary to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Cybersecurity plays a critical role in supporting vital sectors such as AI innovation, financial transactions, and national security. However, many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are underprepared and often underestimate their vulnerability to cyberattacks. This misjudgment endangers both individual companies and the broader UK economy, leaving them exposed to an escalating array of digital risks.

The skills shortage is exacerbated by regional disparities and insufficient investment in cybersecurity research and startups, hindering the sector’s overall potential. SMEs, in particular, struggle to attract and retain the skilled professionals required to protect their operations. Even firms willing to invest in cybersecurity find it challenging to recruit and retain qualified talent amid a competitive job market.

Currently, the cybersecurity sector employs approximately 67,300 people, having created around 6,600 new jobs over the past year. Feryal Clark, MP and Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at DSIT, highlighted the sector as a “key part of our vision for kickstarting economic growth.”

Strengthening cybersecurity is not solely about technology; it involves nurturing a workforce that is well-equipped with the necessary skills. An organization’s efficacy is often only as robust as its weakest link, whether that be an endpoint device like a laptop or an employee who has not received adequate cybersecurity training. All personnel must understand how to identify and report threats and be familiar with recovery tools to mitigate the implications of an attack. Such training can significantly reduce downtime and improve responses during outages.

To maintain its status as a global technology leader, the UK must address its cybersecurity skills gap. Targeted investments in research and development are crucial, alongside promoting the adoption of robust security measures among SMEs. By doing so, the full potential of the £13 billion cybersecurity sector can be unlocked, leading to enhanced economic resilience and innovation over the long term.