08 December 2025

Nearly 30% of respondents cited budget constraints as a primary barrier to hiring staff with the necessary skills, highlighting the ongoing cyber skills shortage.

These staffing gaps are creating tangible risks: 72% of security professionals agree that a reduction in personnel significantly increases the likelihood of breaches, and almost 90% have experienced at least one major security incident linked to skills shortages.

In response, security teams are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to bolster their defenses. The study revealed that 28% of respondents have already integrated AI tools into their daily operations, with 69% actively evaluating, testing, or implementing AI solutions.

AI expertise remains the most in-demand skill, cited by 41% of professionals, followed by cloud security at 36%. Half of the respondents are working to develop general AI knowledge, while 35% are focusing on advanced AI applications such as vulnerability detection and exploit prevention.