The Cyber Talent Gap - The Silent Cyber Threat Undermining Our Resilience

There’s a cyber threat quietly undermining the UK’s national security - and it’s not just coming from threat actors.

It’s a threat of our own making, the chronic shortage of cyber professionals defending our critical systems.

For the first time, the lack of skilled cyber professionals has overtaken all other threats on global risk registers (World Economic Forum, 2024).

The issue of the talent gap has become a national resilience risk. It’s delaying threat detection, slowing response times, and leaving gaps in the systems the public depends on every day, from NHS trusts to critical national infrastructure. For those already employed to defend these environments, without strength in numbers, are increasingly overwhelmed.

This Isn’t a Skills Gap. It’s a Talent Gap.

Let’s better define this however: the UK does not lack skilled professionals, there are numerous individuals with the capability to do this work, but time and again we are seeing the problem with capacity, resulting in the inability to effectively recruit, retain, and advance junior talent, and it’s costing us dearly.

Recruitment is often stuck in the past. Roles are advertised to a narrow profile: degree-educated, often with a computer science background, and a CV that fits an outdated mould. We prioritise academic qualifications over practical capability. We overlook people from non-traditional paths with transferable skills, like communication and stakeholder management. These are not ‘nice to haves’ in cyber. They are essential. But you won’t find them on a certificate… And we wonder why roles stay open for months, or organisations are struggling to find the right candidate.

We’re Burning Out the Talent We Do Have

Even when organisations succeed in hiring, holding onto that talent is another challenge entirely. Cyber professionals are working under immense pressure, with lean teams covering multiple roles. Responding to live threats, managing vulnerabilities, staying ahead of attackers… it’s non-stop.

According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), around 50% of UK organisations report issues with cyber specific staff retention due to overwork and limited progression (Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market, 2024).

Cyber security roles are inherently high stress, and when the stakes are high, the margin for error narrows. For critical national infrastructure, mistakes can mean real-world harm. That pressure, combined with chronic under-resourcing, means professionals are constantly forced to do more with less. Workloads are unsustainable. The result? Burnout, and people leaving the profession altogether.

This is a question of operational resilience. Every time a skilled professional walks out the door, capability walks out with them. With each vacancy, the strain on the remaining team grows.

So What?

The shortage of cyber security professionals has tangible consequences. In 2024, the UK saw 7.78 million cyber-crimes. The National Cyber Security Centre reported a 16% increase in serious incidents year-on-year. With AI making attacks faster and harder to spot, the pressure is only intensifying.

Yet public sector organisations, the very ones responsible for civilian data, public health, utilities and infrastructure, are the most under-resourced. According to the National Audit Office (2024), 30% of cyber roles in government remain unfilled or temporarily backfilled.

The talent gap is therefore an operational risk, a reputational threat, and a legal liability.

So, What Can Be Done?

We need to stop applying yesterday’s thinking to today’s threats:

• Modernise recruitment: Drop rigid criteria. Look for capability, not just credentials.

• Invest in retention: Support work-life balance. Create pathways for growth. Prioritise wellbeing.

• Double down on inclusion: Build environments where everyone feels they belong, can progress, and will stay.

• Use external partners strategically: The right consultancy can be the difference between getting ahead of threats or reacting too late. This is where partners like Cyro Cyber can help.

The Role of External Consultancies or “Trusted Advisors”

Consultancies play a crucial role in bridging the gap while the workforce catches up with the growing demand for cyber talent. With entry-level cyber roles on the rise, organisations face challenges in rapidly upskilling internal teams to meet these demands. In the interim, external consultancies act as an extension of your team, providing highly skilled professionals who can step in and ensure your cyber defences remain strong.

According to the NCSC, 38% of UK organisations reported a shortage of cyber security professionals in 2024. While your team grows, consultancies offer the immediate expertise needed to safeguard your organisation, acting as your consistent cyber support and helping to build long-term resilience.

This is where we at Cyro Cyber come in. We're your trusted cyber security guardians, your allies in long-term strategic defence, and the ongoing implementation of cyber security countermeasures.

If Not Now, When?

You’re being asked to do the impossible: secure systems under constant threat, with teams already overstretched. We’re here to ease your burden.

We’re here to make your life easier. Reach out to us today to discuss how we can work together.