Regarding Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems, 47% of leaders cite a lack of qualified personnel/skillsets and resources as a top three challenge.

The Top 2 challenges to implementing AI for cyber defence are knowledge and skills gaps.

Soft skills are the largest reported skill gap in cybersecurity, increasing from 51% in 2024 to 59% in 2025.

The top method to address technical skill gaps is increasing usage of contract employees or outside consultants (30%), which is a decline from 36% last year.

The top three most important soft skills needed by security professionals are critical thinking (57%), communication (56%), and problem solving (47%).

1 in 3 (33%) of respondents plan to fill skills gaps with AI and automation.

76% of tech leaders have identified skills gaps within their teams. Among the specific areas where skills gaps are most notably reported, Cybersecurity and privacy accounts for 30%

Two out of three organisations report moderate-to-critical skills gaps.

The cyber skills gap has increased by 8% since 2024.

Only 14% of organisations are confident that they have the people and skills they need today.