Cyberattacks are more frequent, more sophisticated — and more expensive. But even as organizations scramble to defend themselves, they’re facing a quiet crisis behind the scenes: there just aren’t enough skilled professionals to go around.
In 2025, the global cybersecurity workforce gap is estimated at nearly 4 million professionals. From small businesses to global enterprises, this talent shortfall is weakening defenses, delaying responses, and driving up the cost of every breach.
Let’s explore how the cybersecurity skills gap is affecting different sectors — and what businesses can do about it.
1. SMBs: Stretched Thin and Exposed
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face an uphill battle. With limited budgets, they often can’t hire dedicated cybersecurity personnel — and attackers know it.
Data point: A 2024 Sophos report found that 96% of SMBs lack critical cybersecurity skills, leaving them especially vulnerable to ransomware, phishing, and data breaches.
Tip: SMBs should prioritize partnerships with reputable Managed Service Providers (MSPs) that offer cybersecurity support. Look for providers with incident response capabilities and a proven track record in threat prevention.
2. MSPs: Under Pressure to Deliver
MSPs are on the frontlines, helping fill the skills gap for businesses that can’t build in-house teams. But they’re struggling too — with talent shortages, long hours, and rising expectations from clients.
Insight: Sophos reports that both MSPs and their clients now rank the cybersecurity skills shortage as the biggest operational risk.
Tip: MSPs must invest in continuous training for their teams, adopt automation to reduce manual tasks, and develop clear service-level agreements to manage client expectations amid resource constraints.
3. Large Enterprises: Competing for Scarce Talent
Big budgets don’t guarantee protection. Large enterprises may have more resources, but they’re locked in a fierce hiring war for cybersecurity professionals.
Stat: According to IBM’s 2024 Data Breach Report, organizations with understaffed security teams faced breach costs $1.76 million higher on average than those with fully staffed teams.
Tip: Enterprises should implement retention programs, offer hybrid work options, and provide professional development to retain top talent — not just attract it.
4. Emerging Tech Creates New Skills Gaps
As businesses adopt AI, cloud computing, and IoT, new threat surfaces emerge — and many teams aren’t ready.
Example: An ISC2 report found that 34% of cybersecurity professionals say their organizations lack staff with AI security expertise, making it the most sought-after skill set in 2025.
These new domains also require skills in less visible layers of the tech stack — including the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS is increasingly used in sophisticated attacks like tunneling and DGAs, which traditional tools often miss without expert oversight.
Tip: Upskilling current IT staff in cloud and AI security can help bridge the gap. Organizations should also budget for ongoing certifications and partner with tech vendors to stay ahead of new risks.
5. Real-World Consequences: Breaches, Delays, and Burnout
The skills gap isn’t just theoretical. It leads to slower incident response, longer recovery times, and overworked teams.
Impact: Fortinet’s 2024 Skills Gap report revealed that 90% of organizations experienced a cyber breach in the past year, and most linked it — at least in part — to their talent shortage.
Tip: Address burnout before it becomes attrition. Automate repetitive tasks, recognize team efforts, and monitor workloads to protect your security talent from fatigue.
6. What Businesses Can Do Now
Bridging the cybersecurity skills gap isn’t just an HR issue — it’s a strategic imperative. Here’s how businesses can start making progress:
- Invest in Employee Training: Build security awareness across all teams and offer career pathways into cybersecurity roles internally.
- Use Automation Wisely: Free up expert time by automating alerts, patching, and low-risk tasks.
- Form Education Partnerships: Collaborate with universities and training programs to build future-ready pipelines.
- Outsource Strategically: Work with specialized MSPs to extend your security capabilities when hiring isn’t an option.
Why the Cybersecurity Skills Gap Is Everyone’s Problem
In a threat landscape where timing is everything, being understaffed can be the difference between a blocked attack and a costly breach. No matter the size of your business, the cybersecurity skills gap affects your resilience.
Addressing this gap isn’t optional — it’s foundational. By investing in people, technology, and smart partnerships, organizations can reduce their risk and build a stronger, more secure future.
References
2024 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Global Research Report | Fortinet
The 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report | IBM
2024 Sophos Threat Report: The State of Cybersecurity Skills | Sophos News
What is the MITRE ATT&CK framework? | DNSSense
Cybersecurity Workforce Study | ISC2
Cybersecurity Skills Shortage Impact on MSPs | GlobeNewswire
SMBs and the Cybersecurity Skills Crisis | Acora
Future-Proofing with Diversity in Cybersecurity | Field Effect