AI adoption accelerates: The research found that AI adoption is accelerating quickly, with 28% of respondents reporting that they have already integrated AI tools into their operations and 69% involved in some level of adoption, through integration, active testing, or early evaluation.”What stands out is how fast AI has moved from experimentation into day-to-day operations. More than two-thirds of respondents are already using, testing, or actively evaluating AI tools in their security programs,” Marks explains. “For those who are using them today, the majority are already seeing measurable productivity gains. That tells us that AI is quickly becoming a practice part of how security work gets done, not a future concept.”The study shows that cybersecurity professionals view AI technology as a career accelerator. The study found that 73% believe AI will create more specialized cybersecurity skills, 72% say it will necessitate more strategic cybersecurity mindsets, and 66% said they believe it will require broader skillsets across the workforce.AI remains one of the top skills needed for the second consecutive year, with 41% of respondents of the 2025 study citing it as a critical skill, followed by cloud security at 36%. According to the report, 48% of respondents are already working to gain generalized AI knowledge and skills, while “35% are educating themselves on AI solutions at risk to better understand vulnerabilities and exploits.””The use of AI tools and the perception that AI will be a career-booster in the cybersecurity industry are prompting professionals to take proactive steps to develop and expand their knowledge and skill base to future-proof their careers,” Marks says. “They see it as a driver of new and more specialized skills, more strategic responsibilities, and broader career pathways.”
High cybersecurity job satisfaction: The research found that 87% believe there will always be a need for cybersecurity professionals, 81% are confident the profession will remain strong, and 68% are satisfied in their current job (up two percentage points from 2024). Another 80% report feeling passionate about their work.”While satisfaction with organizations and leadership varies, confidence in the profession itself remains high, and that sense of purpose is a powerful stabilizing force. Cybersecurity is a mission-driven field, and 80% reported feeling passionate about their work, while 71% are satisfied with their day-to-day experience. A large majority believe the profession will remain essential in the long term and will continue to feel passionate about their role,” Marks says.Almost half (48%) of respondents feel exhausted from trying to stay current on the latest cybersecurity threats and emerging technologies, and 47% feel overwhelmed by workload, according to the study. ISC2’s findings suggest that sustained investment in skills development”, especially related to AI”, realistic workload expectations, and support for continuous learning during working hours are essential. The study also found that career development is important to cybersecurity professionals. Nearly one-third (31%) of respondents said they consider advancement opportunities critical, and 23% cited unplanned financial or benefit rewards as key drivers. According to the 2025 study, 75% are likely to stay at their current organization for the next year, but that number drops to 66% when considering the next two years. The study’s findings proves that organizations must rethink their approach to cybersecurity workforce development, according to ISC2’s Marks.”The data shows tremendous energy at the individual level around AI upskilling. Nearly half of respondents are already building AI skills on their own, and many plan to pursue AI-focused qualifications,” Marks says. “Organizations are investing in development through training budgets, internal education and cross-training, but the scale of demand for AI skills is significant. Our research shows widespread individual and organizational investment in AI upskilling, with demand continuing to grow.”
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