GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Cyber Security Industry Statistics

Upskilling critical to meeting cybersecurity workforce needs and emerging threats.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

68% of cybersecurity professionals believe upskilling is essential to address emerging threats

Statistic 2

60% of cybersecurity roles require skills in machine learning and AI

Statistic 3

54% of cybersecurity professionals have participated in formal training programs in the past year

Statistic 4

76% of organizations consider ongoing training as critical for cybersecurity team effectiveness

Statistic 5

49% of cybersecurity training budgets are allocated to vendor-specific certifications

Statistic 6

Nearly 70% of cybersecurity professionals believe that certifications improve job prospects

Statistic 7

45% of organizations plan to reskill their cybersecurity staff by the end of 2024

Statistic 8

78% of organizations offer online or self-paced training for cybersecurity staff

Statistic 9

90% of cybersecurity professionals consider continuous learning crucial to staying current

Statistic 10

60% of organizations that invested in employee reskilling saw a 15% increase in cybersecurity preparedness

Statistic 11

55% of cybersecurity professionals have learned new skills via online courses in the past year

Statistic 12

Cybersecurity upskilling initiatives in the financial sector grew by 37% in 2023

Statistic 13

30% of mid-sized organizations increased their cybersecurity training budgets significantly in 2023

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Only 45% of cybersecurity professionals feel fully prepared for emerging threats due to skills gaps

Statistic 15

The median salary for cybersecurity specialists with advanced certifications increased by 10% in 2023

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69% of cybersecurity professionals have participated in cross-training within their teams to address skills gaps

Statistic 17

65% of organizations report that remote work increased the need for cybersecurity upskilling

Statistic 18

70% of organizations believe that AI-related skills are crucial for future cybersecurity roles

Statistic 19

The number of cybersecurity bootcamps and intensive training programs increased by 50% in 2023

Statistic 20

85% of cybersecurity training initiatives include simulation exercises to improve practical skills

Statistic 21

The resistance to change in cybersecurity teams decreased by 20% after targeted upskilling programs

Statistic 22

63% of cybersecurity managers consider soft skills essential and include them in upskilling programs

Statistic 23

66% of cybersecurity professionals believe that reskilling will help adapt to future technological changes faster

Statistic 24

50% of organizations invest in partnerships with educational institutions to facilitate cybersecurity upskilling

Statistic 25

42% of cybersecurity teams report increased productivity after receiving targeted reskilling

Statistic 26

28% of cybersecurity workforce was upskilled through employer-sponsored programs in 2023

Statistic 27

43% of cybersecurity professionals prioritized learning about zero-trust security models in 2023

Statistic 28

67% of organizations believe that implementing continuous learning programs minimizes cybersecurity risks

Statistic 29

The number of cybersecurity certifications increased by 22% globally in 2023, indicating heightened interest in formal upskilling

Statistic 30

60% of organizations plan to incorporate gamified learning modules into their cybersecurity upskilling initiatives

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90% of cybersecurity leaders agree that soft skills are as critical as technical skills, highlighting the importance of reskilling in soft skill areas

Statistic 32

58% of organizations have implemented mentorship programs to facilitate cybersecurity upskilling

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Cybersecurity threat landscape complexity increased by 42% in 2023, driving demand for advanced upskilling and specialized training

Statistic 34

82% of organizations plan to increase their cybersecurity workforce over the next year

Statistic 35

The global cybersecurity workforce shortage is projected to reach 3.4 million by 2025

Statistic 36

The average time to fill a cybersecurity position is 3.2 months, with upskilling reducing this time by 25%

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Women make up only 24% of the cybersecurity workforce, highlighting the need for targeted reskilling programs

Statistic 38

83% of cybersecurity leaders report that the skills gap hampers their ability to defend against attacks

Statistic 39

65% of entry-level cybersecurity roles require less than one year of experience, emphasizing the importance of targeted upskilling

Statistic 40

The number of cybersecurity jobs requiring skills in cloud security increased by 64% in 2023

Statistic 41

54% of IT decision makers report difficulty in finding qualified cybersecurity talent

Statistic 42

83% of cybersecurity managers believe reskilling is more cost-effective than hiring new staff

Statistic 43

58% of organizations reported that reskilling their cybersecurity workforce reduced dependence on external consultants

Statistic 44

72% of cybersecurity professionals speak multiple languages, aiding in global threat intelligence sharing

Statistic 45

55% of recent cybersecurity graduates are hired directly after completing certification programs

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70% of cybersecurity hiring managers are willing to hire candidates who demonstrate strong foundational skills with potential for upskilling

Statistic 47

The average age of cybersecurity professionals is rising, with a 12% increase in those over 45 years old in recent years, emphasizing the need for lifelong learning

Statistic 48

The cyber security skills gap costs organizations an average of $3.4 million annually in breach costs

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40% of cybersecurity reskilling programs target underrepresented groups to improve diversity

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75% of organizations recognize reskilling as a priority to bridge the skills gap

Statistic 51

85% of cybersecurity organizations reported that investing in employee reskilling resulted in improved morale and retention

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Key Highlights

82% of organizations plan to increase their cybersecurity workforce over the next year
68% of cybersecurity professionals believe upskilling is essential to address emerging threats
The global cybersecurity workforce shortage is projected to reach 3.4 million by 2025
60% of cybersecurity roles require skills in machine learning and AI
54% of cybersecurity professionals have participated in formal training programs in the past year
76% of organizations consider ongoing training as critical for cybersecurity team effectiveness
The average time to fill a cybersecurity position is 3.2 months, with upskilling reducing this time by 25%
Women make up only 24% of the cybersecurity workforce, highlighting the need for targeted reskilling programs
49% of cybersecurity training budgets are allocated to vendor-specific certifications
83% of cybersecurity leaders report that the skills gap hampers their ability to defend against attacks
65% of entry-level cybersecurity roles require less than one year of experience, emphasizing the importance of targeted upskilling
Nearly 70% of cybersecurity professionals believe that certifications improve job prospects
45% of organizations plan to reskill their cybersecurity staff by the end of 2024

As the cybersecurity threat landscape grows more complex by the day, an overwhelming 82% of organizations plan to ramp up their cybersecurity teams in the next year, highlighting that upskilling and reskilling are no longer optional but essential for defending the digital frontier.

Cybersecurity Skills Development & Training

68% of cybersecurity professionals believe upskilling is essential to address emerging threats
60% of cybersecurity roles require skills in machine learning and AI
54% of cybersecurity professionals have participated in formal training programs in the past year
76% of organizations consider ongoing training as critical for cybersecurity team effectiveness
49% of cybersecurity training budgets are allocated to vendor-specific certifications
Nearly 70% of cybersecurity professionals believe that certifications improve job prospects
45% of organizations plan to reskill their cybersecurity staff by the end of 2024
78% of organizations offer online or self-paced training for cybersecurity staff
90% of cybersecurity professionals consider continuous learning crucial to staying current
60% of organizations that invested in employee reskilling saw a 15% increase in cybersecurity preparedness
55% of cybersecurity professionals have learned new skills via online courses in the past year
Cybersecurity upskilling initiatives in the financial sector grew by 37% in 2023
30% of mid-sized organizations increased their cybersecurity training budgets significantly in 2023
Only 45% of cybersecurity professionals feel fully prepared for emerging threats due to skills gaps
The median salary for cybersecurity specialists with advanced certifications increased by 10% in 2023
69% of cybersecurity professionals have participated in cross-training within their teams to address skills gaps
65% of organizations report that remote work increased the need for cybersecurity upskilling
70% of organizations believe that AI-related skills are crucial for future cybersecurity roles
The number of cybersecurity bootcamps and intensive training programs increased by 50% in 2023
85% of cybersecurity training initiatives include simulation exercises to improve practical skills
The resistance to change in cybersecurity teams decreased by 20% after targeted upskilling programs
63% of cybersecurity managers consider soft skills essential and include them in upskilling programs
66% of cybersecurity professionals believe that reskilling will help adapt to future technological changes faster
50% of organizations invest in partnerships with educational institutions to facilitate cybersecurity upskilling
42% of cybersecurity teams report increased productivity after receiving targeted reskilling
28% of cybersecurity workforce was upskilled through employer-sponsored programs in 2023
43% of cybersecurity professionals prioritized learning about zero-trust security models in 2023
67% of organizations believe that implementing continuous learning programs minimizes cybersecurity risks
The number of cybersecurity certifications increased by 22% globally in 2023, indicating heightened interest in formal upskilling
60% of organizations plan to incorporate gamified learning modules into their cybersecurity upskilling initiatives
90% of cybersecurity leaders agree that soft skills are as critical as technical skills, highlighting the importance of reskilling in soft skill areas
58% of organizations have implemented mentorship programs to facilitate cybersecurity upskilling
Cybersecurity threat landscape complexity increased by 42% in 2023, driving demand for advanced upskilling and specialized training

Cybersecurity Skills Development & Training Interpretation

As the cybersecurity threat landscape grows 42% more complex, nearly 70% of professionals and organizations recognize that continuous upskilling—especially in AI, soft skills, and vendor-specific certifications—has become not just a strategic advantage, but an essential defense mechanism for staying ahead in the digital battlefield.

Cybersecurity Workforce & Staffing

82% of organizations plan to increase their cybersecurity workforce over the next year
The global cybersecurity workforce shortage is projected to reach 3.4 million by 2025
The average time to fill a cybersecurity position is 3.2 months, with upskilling reducing this time by 25%
Women make up only 24% of the cybersecurity workforce, highlighting the need for targeted reskilling programs
83% of cybersecurity leaders report that the skills gap hampers their ability to defend against attacks
65% of entry-level cybersecurity roles require less than one year of experience, emphasizing the importance of targeted upskilling
The number of cybersecurity jobs requiring skills in cloud security increased by 64% in 2023
54% of IT decision makers report difficulty in finding qualified cybersecurity talent
83% of cybersecurity managers believe reskilling is more cost-effective than hiring new staff
58% of organizations reported that reskilling their cybersecurity workforce reduced dependence on external consultants
72% of cybersecurity professionals speak multiple languages, aiding in global threat intelligence sharing
55% of recent cybersecurity graduates are hired directly after completing certification programs
70% of cybersecurity hiring managers are willing to hire candidates who demonstrate strong foundational skills with potential for upskilling
The average age of cybersecurity professionals is rising, with a 12% increase in those over 45 years old in recent years, emphasizing the need for lifelong learning

Cybersecurity Workforce & Staffing Interpretation

As the cybersecurity talent gap widens to 3.4 million by 2025, organizations are increasingly turning to upskilling and reskilling—particularly among women and older professionals—to bridge the divide, cut costs, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving threat landscape where more than half of roles now prefer cloud and multilingual expertise.

Impact & Cost of Skills Gap

The cyber security skills gap costs organizations an average of $3.4 million annually in breach costs

Impact & Cost of Skills Gap Interpretation

The staggering $3.4 million annual cost stemming from the cybersecurity skills gap underscores that investing in upskilling and reskilling isn't just smart—it's absolutely essential to prevent these costly breaches from rewriting the rules of business risk.

Organizational Strategies & Investment

40% of cybersecurity reskilling programs target underrepresented groups to improve diversity
75% of organizations recognize reskilling as a priority to bridge the skills gap
85% of cybersecurity organizations reported that investing in employee reskilling resulted in improved morale and retention

Organizational Strategies & Investment Interpretation

With 40% of cybersecurity reskilling programs focusing on underrepresented groups and 85% of organizations citing increased morale and retention, it's clear that the industry is not only prioritizing closing the skills gap but also forging a more inclusive and resilient security workforce—because in cybersecurity, diversity isn't just ethical; it's essential.