According to the Hays Global Cybersecurity Report 2024, 89% of cybersecurity leaders are concerned about the risks that AI might present. Hays, a UK-based recruitment firm, found that although 98% of leaders believe AI will be beneficial for strengthening their cybersecurity teams, only 57% plan to train their workforce in using AI.
As AI continues to advance, the opportunities to apply this technology in business are vast. However, to transform the workforce safely and avoid cybersecurity risks, companies must commit to fully understanding the technology.
This is especially crucial given the increase in cyberattacks, which are expected to cost the world $9.5 trillion in 2024 alone. Recent reports indicate that as AI becomes more sophisticated and accessible to malicious actors, the frequency of cyberattacks and fraud increases.
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In the realm of cybersecurity, AI adoption is expected to revolutionize security practices, from threat detection to incident response.
When Hays asked respondents who would benefit most from the evolution of AI, 20% mentioned cyber attackers using the technology for malicious purposes. This contrasts with 14% who identified organizations as the primary beneficiaries, and 63% who believe both organizations and adversaries will benefit equally.
Despite concerns about the impact of AI and automation on employment, nearly half (44%) of respondents do not anticipate that automation will lead to job losses. Only 36% foresee such an outcome by 2026, and 42% plan to increase their staff over the next year.
This optimistic outlook suggests that understanding AI’s potential is growing and that it can complement human efforts rather than replace them. As AI becomes more integrated into security operations, Hays emphasizes the need for strategic workforce planning.
Adopting AI Requires Preparation
Despite concerns about AI’s potential risks, Hays reveals that only 57% of leaders plan to train their cybersecurity workforce in AI tools over the next year.
It is notable that a quarter (25%) of leaders do not plan to acquire new skills at all.
This disparity highlights the struggle businesses face in balancing technology adoption with workforce preparation. If this challenge persists, employees may not be equipped to use new tools and, as a result, could compromise their ability to combat and control cybersecurity threats or data breaches.
According to Hays, 73% of organizations invest 5% or less of their cybersecurity budget in talent development. Meanwhile, nearly double the respondents (42%) believe any additional investment should go towards increasing cybersecurity staff rather than training resources.
Hays suggests that preferring to hire new talent instead of training existing employees is not a sustainable solution. They point out that the current skills gap in the tech industry lacks sufficient talent, which could create additional vulnerabilities exploitable by malicious actors.
“In a context where the prevalence of cyberattacks is growing exponentially, the report highlights the fundamental role of AI in defining the future of cybersecurity,” says James Milligan, Global Head of Technology at Hays. “Organizations must balance leveraging AI’s potential with adequately preparing their staff to face the emerging threat landscape.”
He adds, “Organizations should not only adopt emerging technologies and ensure their teams understand the benefits and drawbacks but also invest in them. It is important to adapt quickly to a world where AI solutions are becoming increasingly sophisticated at an unprecedented pace while the talent pool for AI skills is limited.
“The research shows that respondents firmly believe AI can support their team’s cyber capabilities. These tools must be incorporated into the training and development of security personnel.”
By: Nestor Castillo, ForAllTechNews Director