GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Security Industry Statistics

Majority of security professionals see upskilling essential for evolving cyber threat challenges.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The adoption of remote and hybrid security training has increased by 72% due to pandemic adaptations

Statistic 2

80% of organizations now measure the ROI of upskilling and reskilling initiatives through improved security metrics and incident response times

Statistic 3

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

Statistic 4

The global cyber security workforce is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% through 2025

Statistic 5

70% of security professionals believe upskilling is essential for career advancement

Statistic 6

60% of organizations have increased their security training budgets in the past year

Statistic 7

85% of security leaders say that upskilling their teams improves overall security posture

Statistic 8

Only 45% of security professionals feel fully prepared for emerging cyber threats

Statistic 9

Reskilling initiatives in security have led to a 35% reduction in incident response times

Statistic 10

78% of security firms offer ongoing training programs to their staff

Statistic 11

The average time to fill a cybersecurity position is 60 days, but upskilled internal candidates reduce this time by 50%

Statistic 12

65% of cyber attacks could be prevented if staff had better security awareness

Statistic 13

90% of organizations plan to increase investment in upskilling due to rising cyber threats

Statistic 14

50% of security professionals believe that certifications improve their job prospects

Statistic 15

40% of security roles now require knowledge of cloud security, up from 25% in 2021

Statistic 16

72% of companies retrain existing staff for new security roles instead of hiring externally

Statistic 17

80% of security organizations believe that automation supports better upskilling efforts

Statistic 18

The demand for cybersecurity analysts with reskilling in threat intelligence increased by 55% in 2023

Statistic 19

Organizations that invest in reskilling have seen a 22% increase in staff retention rates

Statistic 20

68% of security teams find it challenging to keep their skills current due to rapid technological changes

Statistic 21

45% of organizations have implemented virtual labs and simulations for security training

Statistic 22

Only 35% of small to medium enterprises provide comprehensive cybersecurity training to their employees

Statistic 23

The average salary increase for security professionals after upskilling is approximately 15%

Statistic 24

79% of security leaders say that cross-disciplinary skills are increasingly important for their teams

Statistic 25

60% of security companies now prioritize reskilling as part of their talent acquisition strategy

Statistic 26

The number of cybersecurity bootcamps increased by 50% between 2020 and 2023, indicating a rise in reskilling initiatives

Statistic 27

A survey found that 55% of security teams feel they lack sufficient skills in emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning

Statistic 28

Reskilling programs focusing on incident response decreased response times by an average of 10 hours

Statistic 29

72% of security managers believe that continuous learning positively impacts team performance

Statistic 30

65% of security professionals are interested in learning about legal and compliance aspects of cybersecurity

Statistic 31

40% of security teams have integrated gamified training modules to boost engagement

Statistic 32

The percentage of security certifications achieved by professionals has increased by 25% over the last three years

Statistic 33

88% of security organizations plan to upskill their staff in zero trust architecture in the coming year

Statistic 34

52% of security teams indicate that language and communication skills are critical for international threat coordination

Statistic 35

Only 30% of security professionals feel confident in their ability to implement artificial intelligence solutions

Statistic 36

75% of security leaders agree that reskilling is vital to adapting to the fast-changing threat landscape

Statistic 37

65% of security teams say that continuous education helps prevent burnout and turnover

Statistic 38

58% of companies have adopted microlearning modules for quick skills updates in cybersecurity

Statistic 39

67% of security organizations plan to hire externally while reskilling existing staff, balancing new talent with internal development

Statistic 40

Studies show that employees who undergo upskilling programs are 2.5 times more likely to stay with their employer longer

Statistic 41

74% of security leaders believe that investing in employee development enhances overall organizational resilience

Statistic 42

46% of cyber incident costs relate to human error, highlighting the importance of upskilling staff

Statistic 43

89% of security teams agree that reskilling reduces dependency on external consultants, leading to cost savings

Statistic 44

63% of security professionals pursue certifications like CISSP, CISM, or CompTIA Security+, after reskilling initiatives

Statistic 45

54% of organizations report increased threat detection capabilities after implementing specialized upskilling programs

Statistic 46

80% of security professionals participate in cross-training to develop versatile skills

Statistic 47

Corporate training programs in cyber security grew by 28% in 2022, reflecting increased focus on upskilling and reskilling

Statistic 48

The average age of cybersecurity professionals is rising, making reskilling more important for succession planning

Statistic 49

45% of security teams include AI and machine learning training modules in their upskilling programs

Statistic 50

Organizations that actively reskill their security staff report an average security incident reduction of 30%

Statistic 51

62% of security practitioners believe that leadership support enhances upskilling initiatives' success

Statistic 52

50% of cybersecurity professionals plan to pursue advanced degrees or specializations following upskilling or reskilling

Statistic 53

Cybersecurity upskilling programs now focus heavily on soft skills like communication and teamwork, with 55% incorporating these modules

Statistic 54

69% of security professionals feel that continual learning is necessary to keep pace with cybercriminal tactics

Statistic 55

The number of security certifications awarded annually has grown by 30%, indicating an emphasis on continuous professional development

Statistic 56

54% of organizations integrate gamification into their security upskilling and reskilling initiatives to enhance engagement

Statistic 57

Reskilling in secure software development practices has increased by 48% within the past two years, addressing the rising need for secure coding

Statistic 58

70% of government security agencies have implemented mandatory upskilling programs, emphasizing national cybersecurity readiness

Statistic 59

78% of security leaders report that cross-functional training enhances collaboration and threat response

Statistic 60

Investment in AI-related security upskilling increased by 65% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reflecting technological shifts

Statistic 61

55% of security professionals believe that soft skills training improves client and stakeholder communication, essential during incident management

Statistic 62

82% of organizations identify talent shortages as the primary driver for increased upskilling efforts

Statistic 63

Data from 2023 shows that reskilled security staff demonstrate a 40% increase in proactive threat hunting capabilities

Statistic 64

63% of security professionals believe that interdisciplinary training enhances problem-solving skills, critical for complex cyber threats

Statistic 65

The rise in security-related degree programs by 20% over the last three years correlates with increased need for specialized skills

Statistic 66

45% of organizations now include legal and regulatory compliance modules in their security upskilling programs, emphasizing legal awareness

Statistic 67

Training in threat intelligence analysis has grown by 50% among security teams in the past year, critical for proactive defense

Statistic 68

Nearly 60% of security managers consider automation skills a key component of reskilling programs, reflecting industry trends

Statistic 69

74% of security departments report improved incident detection accuracy following targeted upskilling initiatives

Statistic 70

A survey indicates that 80% of security professionals engaged in continuous learning experience higher job satisfaction

Statistic 71

52% of companies have integrated online micro-credentialing to validate security skills acquired through upskilling

Statistic 72

43% of security professionals now pursue reskilling through online platforms such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and bootcamps, reflecting a shift towards flexible learning

Statistic 73

Security organizations investing in reskilling report a 33% improvement in their ability to adapt quickly to emerging threats

Statistic 74

68% of cybersecurity professionals prefer microlearning modules for quick skill refreshers, according to recent surveys

Statistic 75

The rise of security-specific apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs increased by 45% from 2021 to 2023, aimed at developing practical skills

Statistic 76

75% of security executives believe that reskilling is necessary to bridge the skills gap faster than traditional hiring

Statistic 77

49% of organizations include cybersecurity simulations and Capture The Flag (CTF) exercises in their upskilling efforts, increasing engagement and practical experience

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Sources

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Key Highlights

70% of security professionals believe upskilling is essential for career advancement
The global cybersecurity workforce shortage is projected to reach 3.4 million by 2025
60% of organizations have increased their security training budgets in the past year
85% of security leaders say that upskilling their teams improves overall security posture
Only 45% of security professionals feel fully prepared for emerging cyber threats
Reskilling initiatives in security have led to a 35% reduction in incident response times
78% of security firms offer ongoing training programs to their staff
The average time to fill a cybersecurity position is 60 days, but upskilled internal candidates reduce this time by 50%
65% of cyber attacks could be prevented if staff had better security awareness
90% of organizations plan to increase investment in upskilling due to rising cyber threats
50% of security professionals believe that certifications improve their job prospects
40% of security roles now require knowledge of cloud security, up from 25% in 2021
72% of companies retrain existing staff for new security roles instead of hiring externally

With cyber threats escalating and the cybersecurity workforce projected to fall short by 3.4 million by 2025, upskilling and reskilling have become essential strategies—yet only 45% of professionals feel fully prepared to combat emerging cyber risks, highlighting a critical need for investment in continuous learning to enhance security resilience and career growth.

Flexible Work Policies and Remote Security

The adoption of remote and hybrid security training has increased by 72% due to pandemic adaptations

Flexible Work Policies and Remote Security Interpretation

The surge of a 72% increase in remote and hybrid security training amid the pandemic underscores the industry's urgent pivot toward flexible, tech-driven upskilling, proving that even in security, adaptation is now the first line of defense.

ROI and Performance Measurement

80% of organizations now measure the ROI of upskilling and reskilling initiatives through improved security metrics and incident response times

ROI and Performance Measurement Interpretation

With 80% of organizations now quantifying ROI via enhanced security metrics and faster incident response, it's clear that upskilling and reskilling in the security industry are no longer optional perks but essential investments in the frontline defense.

Talent Shortages and Staffing Strategies

The global cybersecurity workforce shortage is projected to reach 3.4 million by 2025
The global cyber security workforce is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% through 2025

Talent Shortages and Staffing Strategies Interpretation

With the cybersecurity workforce anticipated to soar at 12% annually to bridge a 3.4 million gap by 2025, it's clear that upskilling and reskilling are less optional than ever—they're the new armor in the war against cyber threats.

Workforce Skills and Upskilling

70% of security professionals believe upskilling is essential for career advancement
60% of organizations have increased their security training budgets in the past year
85% of security leaders say that upskilling their teams improves overall security posture
Only 45% of security professionals feel fully prepared for emerging cyber threats
Reskilling initiatives in security have led to a 35% reduction in incident response times
78% of security firms offer ongoing training programs to their staff
The average time to fill a cybersecurity position is 60 days, but upskilled internal candidates reduce this time by 50%
65% of cyber attacks could be prevented if staff had better security awareness
90% of organizations plan to increase investment in upskilling due to rising cyber threats
50% of security professionals believe that certifications improve their job prospects
40% of security roles now require knowledge of cloud security, up from 25% in 2021
72% of companies retrain existing staff for new security roles instead of hiring externally
80% of security organizations believe that automation supports better upskilling efforts
The demand for cybersecurity analysts with reskilling in threat intelligence increased by 55% in 2023
Organizations that invest in reskilling have seen a 22% increase in staff retention rates
68% of security teams find it challenging to keep their skills current due to rapid technological changes
45% of organizations have implemented virtual labs and simulations for security training
Only 35% of small to medium enterprises provide comprehensive cybersecurity training to their employees
The average salary increase for security professionals after upskilling is approximately 15%
79% of security leaders say that cross-disciplinary skills are increasingly important for their teams
60% of security companies now prioritize reskilling as part of their talent acquisition strategy
The number of cybersecurity bootcamps increased by 50% between 2020 and 2023, indicating a rise in reskilling initiatives
A survey found that 55% of security teams feel they lack sufficient skills in emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning
Reskilling programs focusing on incident response decreased response times by an average of 10 hours
72% of security managers believe that continuous learning positively impacts team performance
65% of security professionals are interested in learning about legal and compliance aspects of cybersecurity
40% of security teams have integrated gamified training modules to boost engagement
The percentage of security certifications achieved by professionals has increased by 25% over the last three years
88% of security organizations plan to upskill their staff in zero trust architecture in the coming year
52% of security teams indicate that language and communication skills are critical for international threat coordination
Only 30% of security professionals feel confident in their ability to implement artificial intelligence solutions
75% of security leaders agree that reskilling is vital to adapting to the fast-changing threat landscape
65% of security teams say that continuous education helps prevent burnout and turnover
58% of companies have adopted microlearning modules for quick skills updates in cybersecurity
67% of security organizations plan to hire externally while reskilling existing staff, balancing new talent with internal development
Studies show that employees who undergo upskilling programs are 2.5 times more likely to stay with their employer longer
74% of security leaders believe that investing in employee development enhances overall organizational resilience
46% of cyber incident costs relate to human error, highlighting the importance of upskilling staff
89% of security teams agree that reskilling reduces dependency on external consultants, leading to cost savings
63% of security professionals pursue certifications like CISSP, CISM, or CompTIA Security+, after reskilling initiatives
54% of organizations report increased threat detection capabilities after implementing specialized upskilling programs
80% of security professionals participate in cross-training to develop versatile skills
Corporate training programs in cyber security grew by 28% in 2022, reflecting increased focus on upskilling and reskilling
The average age of cybersecurity professionals is rising, making reskilling more important for succession planning
45% of security teams include AI and machine learning training modules in their upskilling programs
Organizations that actively reskill their security staff report an average security incident reduction of 30%
62% of security practitioners believe that leadership support enhances upskilling initiatives' success
50% of cybersecurity professionals plan to pursue advanced degrees or specializations following upskilling or reskilling
Cybersecurity upskilling programs now focus heavily on soft skills like communication and teamwork, with 55% incorporating these modules
69% of security professionals feel that continual learning is necessary to keep pace with cybercriminal tactics
The number of security certifications awarded annually has grown by 30%, indicating an emphasis on continuous professional development
54% of organizations integrate gamification into their security upskilling and reskilling initiatives to enhance engagement
Reskilling in secure software development practices has increased by 48% within the past two years, addressing the rising need for secure coding
70% of government security agencies have implemented mandatory upskilling programs, emphasizing national cybersecurity readiness
78% of security leaders report that cross-functional training enhances collaboration and threat response
Investment in AI-related security upskilling increased by 65% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reflecting technological shifts
55% of security professionals believe that soft skills training improves client and stakeholder communication, essential during incident management
82% of organizations identify talent shortages as the primary driver for increased upskilling efforts
Data from 2023 shows that reskilled security staff demonstrate a 40% increase in proactive threat hunting capabilities
63% of security professionals believe that interdisciplinary training enhances problem-solving skills, critical for complex cyber threats
The rise in security-related degree programs by 20% over the last three years correlates with increased need for specialized skills
45% of organizations now include legal and regulatory compliance modules in their security upskilling programs, emphasizing legal awareness
Training in threat intelligence analysis has grown by 50% among security teams in the past year, critical for proactive defense
Nearly 60% of security managers consider automation skills a key component of reskilling programs, reflecting industry trends
74% of security departments report improved incident detection accuracy following targeted upskilling initiatives
A survey indicates that 80% of security professionals engaged in continuous learning experience higher job satisfaction
52% of companies have integrated online micro-credentialing to validate security skills acquired through upskilling
43% of security professionals now pursue reskilling through online platforms such as Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and bootcamps, reflecting a shift towards flexible learning
Security organizations investing in reskilling report a 33% improvement in their ability to adapt quickly to emerging threats
68% of cybersecurity professionals prefer microlearning modules for quick skill refreshers, according to recent surveys
The rise of security-specific apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs increased by 45% from 2021 to 2023, aimed at developing practical skills
75% of security executives believe that reskilling is necessary to bridge the skills gap faster than traditional hiring
49% of organizations include cybersecurity simulations and Capture The Flag (CTF) exercises in their upskilling efforts, increasing engagement and practical experience

Workforce Skills and Upskilling Interpretation

With 90% of organizations planning to boost their upskilling budgets amidst rising cyber threats, it's clear that in the security industry, staying still equals falling behind—proving that the best defense today is a continuously evolving offense fueled by ever-improving human expertise.