Upskill our current employees Other76%Recruit experienced cyber professionals54% Expect employees to independently upskill themselves24%Recruit outside of traditional cyber degrees or credentials23% Promote apprentice programmes24%7%How organizations are addressing the cyber skills gap FIGURE 17The cyber skills gap continues to be a key challenge to organizations becoming more resilient. The cybersecurity sector is grappling with a significant workforce shortage, with estimates of the shortfall ranging from 2.8 million to 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals. The acute scarcity of cybersecurity talent exacerbates the risk landscape, leaving more than two-thirds of organizations vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks and breaches due to a lack of critical skills.44 According to the GCO survey, while 39% of organizations cite skills shortages as an important barrier to resilience, only 14% report having the necessary talent to meet cybersecurity objectives. The skills gap widened by 8% from 2024 to 2025, predominantly affecting the public sector, in which 49% of organizations indicated they do not have the workforce to meet their cybersecurity objectives, a 33% increase on 2024. Skills in operating AI and defending against it are becoming increasingly important for the next- generation cybersecurity workforce. While AI will not replace the cybersecurity workforce, it will be a complementary capability. This presents an opportunity to begin closing the cyber skills gap, not only with increased automation but also with a workforce proficient in harnessing AI to drive positive outcomes for cybersecurity.The cyber skills gap Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 36