Cisco Report Reveals Growing Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals with AI Expertise

A new report from Cisco's AI Workforce Consortium has shed light on the shifting landscape of cybersecurity skills in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into security operations.

The report, titled 'AI Agents and the Impact on Cybersecurity,' surveyed over 8,000 security leaders across 30 markets and 14 industries. It found that 49% of these leaders identified hands-on experience working with AI agents as one of the hardest competencies to find in entry-level cybersecurity candidates.

This is not surprising, given the rapid growth of AI-powered defense solutions in the industry. According to the report, 36% of security leaders have selected AI-powered defense among their top three investment priorities for the next two years, ahead of improving detection and response time at 32%, and improving application security at 27%.

'As AI becomes more deeply integrated into cybersecurity operations, organizations need people who can do more than operate technology,' said Fady Younes, Managing Director, Cybersecurity, Cisco Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, Caucasus and Central Asia (METAC). 'Security professionals will increasingly need to understand how to work with AI agents, validate their outputs, and apply human judgment when decisions carry risk.'

The report emphasizes the need for continuous upskilling in agentic AI and greater access to hands-on learning. It also highlights the importance of education and training that help cybersecurity professionals develop practical AI experience alongside durable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and judgment.