The UK's cyber security workforce has expanded to approximately 145,900 individuals, marking a 2% increase from the previous year, according to a 2026 report covering the 2025 calendar year. The research, commissioned by the former Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), also found that 53% of cyber firms anticipate growing their workforce in 2026.
Despite this growth, skills gaps are widening. Over half (57%) of businesses reported a basic technical skills gap, an increase from 49% last year. Demand for cyber security skills is also rising, with core cyber security job postings growing by 7% compared to 2024, and all cyber security job postings increasing by 10%.
The number of cyber security graduates has increased to 7,950, a 14% growth between the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years. Geographically, Greater London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol hold the top four positions for cyber job postings, with Edinburgh replacing Leeds in fifth place.
The report also highlighted diversity figures, noting that 16% of the cyber security workforce is female, compared to 48% of the overall UK workforce. Additionally, 9% of the cyber security workforce was disabled, compared to 18% nationally. The proportion of neurodivergent staff reported by employers has increased from 9% in 2020 to 22% in the 2026 report.
The use of AI in cyber security is also growing, with 70% of businesses reporting staff using AI in their daily work, up from 53% last year.