ISC2 says AI is impacting cybersecurity workforces by enhancing security amid slowing workforce expansion, declining job satisfaction & threat challenges.
As technology development snowballs across the world, the cybersecurity industry finds itself at a critical juncture.
Whilst digital threats evolve and become more sophisticated, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to grow.
However, economic pressures and the emergence of AI are reshaping the cyber landscape, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the workforce.
This dynamic environment is forcing organisations and professionals to adapt quickly, balancing the need for human expertise with the potential of AI-driven solutions.
Addressing these challenges, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), a leading non-profit organisation for cybersecurity professionals, has released its 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, shedding light on the current state of the industry.
The report reveals a complex picture of a sector grappling with workforce challenges while embracing technological advancements.
Workforce growth stalls amid economic pressures
According to ISC2, the global cybersecurity workforce has experienced a significant slowdown in growth, increasing by only 0.1% year-on-year to reach 5.5 million professionals.
This marks a stark contrast to the previous year’s 8.7% growth, despite the ongoing need for cybersecurity expertise.
“Organisations and cybersecurity leaders must recognise how AI can contribute to creating more resilient security teams, especially while economic challenges persist”. – Debra Taylor, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ISC2.
The study indicates that professionals are feeling the impact of reduced investments in the cybersecurity workforce.
Budget cutbacks and layoffs have affected workforce satisfaction, the development of organisational security and the adoption of new technologies.
For the first time, participants cited “lack of budget”, the study says, as the primary cause of staffing shortages, replacing “lack of qualified talent” from the previous year’s research.
Consequently, job satisfaction among cybersecurity professionals has declined from 74% in 2022 to 66% in 2024.
Additionally, 74% of respondents report that the current threat landscape is the most challenging they have experienced in the last five years.
Debra Taylor, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ISC2, commented on these findings: “As economic conditions continue to impact workforce investment, this year’s Cybersecurity Workforce Study underscores that many organisations are putting their cyber teams under significant strain, risking burnout and attrition as job satisfaction rates fall”.
AI emerges as a potential solution
Despite the challenges facing the cybersecurity workforce, the study also reveals a sense of optimism surrounding the adoption of AI.
KEY FACTS FROM THE ISC2 STUDY:
- 66% of study participants see AI as presenting career growth opportunities
- 54% believe AI will be beneficial to their organisations’ security operations
- 51% think AI will make certain cybersecurity skills obsolete
- 80% believe their cybersecurity skill set will become more important in an AI-driven world
- 73% of respondents are building their cybersecurity skill set
- 45% of respondents’ teams are already utilising AI in cybersecurity tools
Professionals view AI as a potential solution to strengthen their organisations’ security and create new efficiencies for their teams.
ISC2 indicates that 66% of study participants see AI as presenting career growth opportunities, while 54% believe it will be beneficial to their organisations’ security operations
Although 51% of respondents think AI will make certain cybersecurity skills obsolete, two-thirds are confident that their expertise will complement the technology.
Furthermore, 80% believe their cybersecurity skill set will become more important in an AI-driven world.
To prepare for future opportunities, 73% of respondents are building their cybersecurity skill set, 52% are focusing on becoming more strategic contributors to their organisations and 48% are learning more AI-related skills.
Debra emphasises the importance of recognising AI’s potential: “Organisations and cybersecurity leaders must recognise how AI can contribute to creating more resilient security teams, especially while economic challenges persist”.
The study also reveals that 45% of respondents’ teams are already utilising AI in cybersecurity tools, with the top use cases including augmenting common operational tasks, speeding up report writing and incident reporting and simplifying threat intelligence.
It seems as the cybersecurity industry continues to change, professionals and organisations alike must navigate the challenges of a tightening job market and ongoing skills shortages while harnessing the potential of AI to enhance security and create new opportunities for growth and innovation.
