The demand for cybersecurity skills is skyrocketing, according to Coursera’s newly released Job Skills Report 2025. Drawing on data from over five million enterprise learners worldwide, the report identifies cybersecurity as one of the fastest-growing fields in technology.
Cybersecurity Tops Tech Skill Demand
The findings reveal that six of the top 10 fastest-growing tech skills in 2025 are related to cybersecurity. Those skills are highlighted in the list below. The top 10 tech skills according to the Job Skills Report 2025 are the following:
- Incident Management & Response
- Threat Management & Modeling
- Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)
- Computer Security
- Vulnerability Management
- Network Planning & Design
- Network Management & Monitoring
- Software Documentation
- Infrastructure Security
- Data Analysis Expressions (DAX)
The rising demand is driven by the growing complexity of cyberattacks and the rapid adoption of advanced technologies such as Generative AI (GenAI), which create new vulnerabilities. The report notes that nearly 90% of IT decision-makers are concerned about safeguarding the large volumes of data generated by GenAI tools, but only 65% are adequately prepared to do so.
Career Learning Pathways for Cybersecurity Professionals
For aspiring cybersecurity professionals, the report highlights significant career opportunities. Coursera offers several industry-aligned certifications designed to meet this demand, including Google’s IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts and IBM’s Computer Networks and Network Security specialization.
These programs aim to equip learners with critical skills such as malware protection, infrastructure security, and proactive risk management. Roles such as Cybersecurity Analyst and Risk Management Specialist are projected to see rapid growth over the coming years, providing a clear path for individuals entering the workforce.
Addressing the Workforce Gap
The shortage of cybersecurity professionals has become a significant barrier to achieving cyber resilience for many organizations. The report highlights opportunities for higher education institutions, businesses, and governments to close this gap by investing in targeted training programs. Recommendations include integrating incident management & response and threat management into university curricula, offering micro-credential programs for job seekers, and developing corporate upskilling initiatives.
For learners, the report advises a focus on building expertise in key cybersecurity skills, developing risk management capabilities, and strengthening complementary technical knowledge.
You can download the 2025 Job Skills Report from here.