Cyberskills Gaps and Staff Shortages are Reducing Cyber Resilience

Recent reports quantify scope of challenges affecting systems security

Fewer than 15% of organizations are confident that they have both the people and the skills necessary to meet their cybersecurity objectives, according to a 2025 report by the World Economic Forum. More than 65% of organizations report a moderate to critical cyberskills gap. The report also cites a global staffing shortage of four million cybersecurity professionals.

The 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study produced similar findings, although it estimates the global staffing shortage at 4.8 million. Most respondents reported concerns that their cybersecurity teams lack sufficient numbers or the right range of skills to meet organizational objectives. Almost 60% of respondents indicate that cyberskills gaps have significantly affected their ability to secure their organizations. According to the study, even as demand rises for cyber professionals needed to adequately secure their companies, employers are cutting back on both hiring new personnel and developing their existing cybersecurity teams. These combined actions are reducing cyber resilience around the world, including in the U.S.

According to multiple reports, a lack of distinct career paths, the rising cost of professional certifications, outdated training content, stress on the job, and the threat of being replaced by AI applications are discouraging individuals from pursuing careers in cybersecurity—creating shortfalls in qualified cybersecurity personnel and cybersecurity expertise. 

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