Cyber security skills in the UK labour market 2026
Laurent H. — CEO & Founder CYBERR & HEELR
Cyber security skills in the UK labour market 2026
Mapping the workforce
Approximately 145,900 individuals work in the UK cyber security workforce, up 2% on the previous year
53% of cyber firms expect to grow their workforce in 2026
Average core cyber job postings grew 7% compared with 2024
Geographic distribution of cyber job postings shows Greater London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol holding the top four positions in the UK, with Edinburgh replacing Leeds in fifth position
Supply of skills
The number of cyber security graduates has increased to 7,950 - growth of 14% between the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years.
Demand for cyber security skills
Demand is growing compared to 2024. There was a 7% increase in core cyber security job postings, and an increase of 10% for all cyber security job postings
Diversity
Only 16% of the cyber security workforce was female compared to 48% of the UK workforce.
Just under 1 in 10 (9%) were disabled compared to 18% of the UK workforce
There has been an increase in the proportion of neurodivergent staff reported by employers, from 9% in 2020 to 22% in the 2026 report
Skills gaps
Over half (57%) of businesses had a basic technical skills gap, an increase from last year (49%)
AI skills
More cyber security businesses are using AI in cyber security: 70% report staff using AI in their day-to-day work, up from 53% last year
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-security-skills-in-the-uk-labour-market-2026
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Comments
Ben N.: It sound similar to the cybersecurity roles in my country (Canada). We are booming in cybersecurity roles once again.