Cybersecurity Workforce Challenges:

Finding the Right Talent in a High-Stakes Era

Curated by: Jorge Valdés Garciatorres

Effective cybersecurity is not a product, but a process. – Jim Langevin

The Call That Changed Everything

It started with a routine client call—an enterprise CIO who had been struggling with a persistent security issue. "We need top-tier security talent—yesterday," the CIO told us. "But we just can't find the right people."

This wasn’t the first time we’d heard this. The demand for cybersecurity professionals has skyrocketed, but companies are struggling to fill these critical roles.

That’s where staffing firms like ours come in—not just to find any candidate, but to find the right candidate, someone who can navigate today’s complex security landscape. 

The modern workforce is evolving, and cybersecurity threats are forcing organizations to rethink their approach to talent acquisition. Let’s dive into why cybersecurity is not just an IT issue but a staffing issue—and how staffing firms can help businesses stay resilient.

The Cybersecurity Talent Crisis

A Growing Shortage in a High-Stakes Environment

The global cybersecurity talent shortage has reached a critical level. According to a 2023 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, there is a shortfall of 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals worldwide ((ISC)², 2023). This gap leaves organizations vulnerable, particularly as cyber threats grow more sophisticated.

A recent IBM report highlights that the average cost of a data breach in 2024 reached $4.88 million—a 10% increase from the previous year (IBM, 2024). With over 80% of organizations experiencing at least one cyberattack in the past 12 months (CyberEdge, 2024), having the right talent in place is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.

Additionally, the most recent study released about this topic the  2025 IT Security Priorities Report from Info-Tech Research Group emphasizes that ransomware remains the top threat for over 90% of industries, and identity-based attacks are on the rise (Info-Tech Research Group, 2025). These findings further underscore the need for specialized cybersecurity talent to mitigate evolving threats.

Why Companies Struggle to Find Cybersecurity Talent

After reviewing several sources, we found 5 main reasons why there is not enough qualified professionals to address the market needs:

1. Fast-Evolving Threats: Traditional IT skills are no longer enough. Cybersecurity professionals need expertise in AI security, cloud risk management, and regulatory compliance.
2. Specialized Certifications: Many companies require CISSP, CISM, or CEH certifications, but demand far exceeds supply.
3. Competition for Talent: Tech giants and government agencies often outbid smaller organizations, making it harder for mid-sized firms to attract skilled professionals.
4. Burnout and Attrition: Cybersecurity professionals face immense pressure, leading to higher turnover rates and difficulty retaining talent.
5. Regulatory Challenges: As global regulations tighten, organizations need security experts with deep compliance knowledge to ensure adherence to evolving laws 

This is where talent specialized firms come into play, providing flexible and scalable solutions to address these challenges.

Cybersecurity Priorities in 2025 and Their Impact on Staffing

(Info-Tech, 2025).

1. AI and Security: The Rise of AI-Augmented Cyber Threats

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword in cybersecurity. While AI-driven security solutions help detect threats faster, they also introduce new vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to develop sophisticated phishing attacks and deepfake-based fraud.

Staffing Implications:

• Companies need AI security specialists who understand how to defend against adversarial AI attacks.
• Demand for AI ethics and governance experts is rising as organizations implement responsible AI frameworks.
• AI-Augmented Security Analysts will become essential, combining human intelligence with AI-driven security insights

2. Identity and Access Management (IAM): Protecting Digital Identities

The traditional security perimeter no longer exists. With remote work and cloud adoption, identity has become the new security frontier. Over 30% of cyberattacks involve compromised credentials (IBM X-Force, 2024).

Staffing Implications:

• Demand is increasing for IAM architects who can implement Zero Trust security models.
• Companies need multi-factor authentication (MFA) specialists to reduce credential-based attacks.
• Cybersecurity leaders require professionals who understand the latest compliance frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2).

3. Vendor Security Management: Third-Party Risks on the Rise

Third-party vendors represent one of the biggest cybersecurity threats. Over 60% of organizations experienced breaches through their supply chain in the past year (Ponemon Institute, 2023). Recent attacks on cloud service providers highlight the urgent need for robust vendor risk management.

Staffing Implications:

• Third-Party Risk Analysts are in high demand to evaluate security postures of vendors.
• Compliance Specialists who understand regulatory mandates like GDPR, CCPA, and NIS2 are critical.
• Organizations need incident response teams trained in handling supply chain breaches.

4. Deepfake Threats: The Next Frontier in Social Engineering

In 2023, a finance worker in Hong Kong was tricked into transferring $20 million through a deepfake-enabled scam where attackers impersonated company executives (Reuters, 2023). As deepfake technology becomes more sophisticated, organizations need to upgrade their security protocols.

Staffing Implications:

• Companies require cyber forensics experts who can detect AI-generated fraud.
• Social engineering specialists can help train employees to recognize deepfake phishing attacks.
• More organizations are hiring security awareness trainers to implement simulated attack exercises.

5. Preparing for the Post-Quantum Era

Quantum computing threatens to break existing encryption protocols. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has begun standardizing post-quantum cryptography to prepare for this shift (NIST, 2024).

Staffing Implications:

• Cryptography Engineers skilled in post-quantum encryption are becoming highly valuable.
• Quantum Security Researchers will help organizations future-proof their security strategies.
• Compliance Officers will ensure adherence to new cryptographic standards.

References

• Photo: Freepik
• CyberEdge Group. (2024). Cyberthreat Defense Report 2024.
• IBM. (2024). Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024.
• Info-Tech Research Group. (2025). IT Security Priorities Report 2025.
• ISC². (2023). Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2023.
• NIST. (2024). Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards.
• Ponemon Institute. (2023). The State of Third-Party Risk Management.
• Reuters. (2023). Deepfake Scam Leads to $20 Million Fraud Case.
• X-Force Threat Intelligence Index. (2024). IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Report 2024.