How are cybersecurity jobs changing in 2025, and what’s hot?

The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, necessitating a shift in the skillsets required if contract and full-time job applicants want to get hired.  

While changes in cybersecurity skill requirements can happen quickly, our data from Q1 2025 reveals a few fundamental ‘hot’ areas we think will stay sought-after for a good while yet, writes Georgina Day, head of cybersecurity recruitment at Leap29.

The key developments influencing the blend of cybersecurity skillsets we determine to be ‘hot’ (since February 2025 onwards) are five-fold:

1. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Where specifically are AI integration jobs hot?

• AI in cyber defence: Organisations are increasingly adopting AI to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.

  This integration demands temporary and permanent workers who are proficient in AI technologies and can apply them to cybersecurity contexts.

• AI-specific cyber skills: The demand for cybersecurity experts with AI experience is growing.

  We’re finding many of these skills to be self-taught, but educational programs focusing on AI in cybersecurity are beginning to turn out graduates.

2. Focus on ‘Systems-Thinking,’ ‘Ethical,’ & ‘Communication’

Where specifically is this ‘STEC’ focus ‘hot’?

Holistic skills development: There's an increasingly recognised need from the organisations hiring them for cybersecurity team members in 2025 to possess not only technical expertise but also:

• Strong ethical judgment;

• A systems-thinking approach, and;

• Excellent communication ability.

These three competencies may generate different attributes being listed in cybersecurity job adverts, but it’s this trio that is crucial for effective decision-making and collaboration in complex security environments.

3. Cybersecurity talent shortage solutions

Where is the shortage making demand hotter?

• Inclusive hiring practices: As a subsector of the technology industry, cybersecurity faces a significant talent gap, with an estimated global shortage of 4.8 million workers.

To bridge this gap, there's a shift underway from employers towards valuing relevant cybersecurity skills over specific industry experience.

There’s also a welcome (albeit overdue) recognition that diverse backgrounds can enhance resilience.

• Skills-led recruitment

Organizations in 2025 are moving towards hiring based on skills rather than formal degrees, acknowledging that practical expertise and problem-solving abilities are critical for cybersecurity roles. And arguably, this know-how is more important than an academic grounding in the field.

4. Expansion of Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) roles

What makes a CPO job applicant 'hot' in 2025?

Data governance and AI oversight: With the rise of AI and increasing data risks, CPOs are now more involved in AI and cybersecurity. That means their focus is increasingly on ethical data usage and compliance with emerging regulations. And if they’re focus isn’t there currently, organisations recruiting for CPO roles expect the successful applicant to be willing, if not already trained, in these areas.

5. Emerging fields and threats

Where in IT security is both ‘new’ and ‘hot’ for job-seekers?

Cyber-biosecurity: The convergence of cybersecurity and biosecurity has led to the emergence of cyber-biosecurity, focusing on protecting biological data and systems from cyber threats.

Consultants or contractors who want to succeed in this niche need to understand both biological sciences and cybersecurity principles.

Advanced persistent threats (APTs): There's an increasing appetite from larger organisations for skills in identifying and mitigating APTs (Advanced Persistent Threats).

APTS are sophisticated, long-term cyberattacks often orchestrated by well-funded adversaries.

In review, ‘go interdisciplinary’ to thrive in cybersecurity in 2025...

So far in 2025, we’re seeing cybersecurity professionals having to adapt to a dynamic environment, often by acquiring interdisciplinary skills that encompass advanced technologies like AI, ethical and systems-based thinking, with effective communication expected as standard.

For their part, hirers are embracing diverse educational backgrounds and in exchange, all candidates will need to prioritise continuous learning if they are to meet the evolving challenge of having a ‘market-ready’ skillset for cybersecurity, particularly if they want temporary, contract or freelance assignments.

Once you’ve adapted to cybersecurity's new landscape, do your homework

Regardless of your ideal role duration or type, we’d encourage all cybersecurity job applicants, ranging from first-timers to mid-weight, CISSP-qualified consultants, to prep answers to top cybersecurity interview questions.

Once you’ve overcome the changing cybersecurity space in 2025, you won’t want to be vanquished by a common interview question, or even a curveball!

How to exploit today's cybersecurity market: five hacks for job-seekers

1. Stay hands-on → Set up a home lab using Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Snort.

2. Gain certifications → CompTIA Security+, CEH, OSCP, CISSP, AWS Security Specialty.

3. Specialise in a niche → Cloud Security, AI/ML Security, Red Teaming, Incident Response

4. Continuously learn → Follow Threat Intelligence Feeds, CTF Challenges, GitHub Security Projects

5. Network and share knowledge → Join Infosec Conferences, Cybersecurity Meetups, LinkedIn Groups, Cybersecurity Forums.

Cybersecurity essential career advice for 2025 be like…

In the cybersecurity space,  and arguably more visibly than any other subsector of the tech jobs market, if you don’t adapt, you fall behind.

Cyber threats are evolving, and businesses are adopting AI, automation, and cloud security. Keeping up and then ahead of these changes ensures job security (as a full-time job seeker), higher rates (as a contractor) and (whatever your preferred status) tangible career growth in cybersecurity.