Despite continued growth in the US cybersecurity workforce since 2013, nearly 265,000 additional cybersecurity workers are needed to meet current staffing needs, according to a survey released Oct. 15 by Cyberseek, a cybersecurity job market data provider.

The survey found there are enough workers to fill only 83% of available cybersecurity jobs.

“The workforce gap underscores why we promote alternative pathways to careers in cybersecurity during Cybersecurity Career Week to broaden participation from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences,” Rodney Petersen, director of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, said in a press release. “Closing that gap will require diversified approaches and investments, including education, training, reskilling and upskilling, and registered apprenticeships.”

While employers have generally slowed their search for technology workers, cybersecurity jobs have been less impacted.

Job postings for IT roles dropped by 28% between September 2023 and August 2024, while cybersecurity job postings saw just a 22% decline. Job postings for cybersecurity positions totaled 457,398 in the 12 months.

However, the demand for AI-related cybersecurity skills has risen, with job postings requiring some AI skills increasing to 7.3% from 6.3% over the past year.

“After the pandemic-fueled IT hiring spree, cybersecurity job demand has stabilized close to prepandemic levels,” Will Markow, VP of applied research at Lightcast, said in a press release.

“However, the industry faces a perfect storm of AI-driven technological change, rising geopolitical tensions around the world and an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Taken together, skill requirements are shifting faster than many practitioners can keep up, which is causing the cybersecurity talent gap to widen once again.”

Currently, approximately 1.25 million people work in cybersecurity roles across the economy.

CyberSeek is a joint initiative of National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, Lightcast and CompTIA.