Why the Cyber Skills Gap Is Becoming a Business Risk Organizations Can’t Ignore

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, and for many organizations, it is becoming both a lifeline and a potential liability. As cyber threats grow more frequent and more sophisticated, security teams are under increasing pressure yet the global shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals shows no signs of slowing down. This widening gap is pushing organizations to lean heavily on AI-enabled security tools, even as many struggle to develop the skills needed to use them effectively.

Recent findings from a global cybersecurity skills gap study paint a stark picture. Cyber incidents are no longer hypothetical risks; they are operational realities. Nearly all organizations surveyed experienced at least one breach in the past year, with a significant number reporting multiple incidents. This trend reflects not only the intensity of today’s threat environment, but also the strain placed on understaffed and undertrained security teams.

The scale of the talent shortage is difficult to ignore. Millions of cybersecurity roles worldwide remain unfilled, leaving organizations exposed at a time when attackers are becoming faster, more automated, and more strategic. Almost half of surveyed organizations identified gaps in cybersecurity skills and training as a direct contributor to breaches. The financial consequences are equally sobering, with many reporting losses that reached or exceeded seven figures from cyber incidents in a single year.

Against this backdrop, AI is increasingly viewed as a force multiplier. Organizations across industries are already deploying, or actively planning to deploy, AI-enabled security technologies to improve threat detection, prevention, and response. For many cybersecurity professionals, AI is not seen as a replacement, but as a tool that can automate repetitive tasks, reduce alert fatigue, and allow teams to focus on higher-value, strategic work.

However, this rapid adoption has exposed a critical disconnect. While AI tools are being rolled out at speed, the expertise required to manage, interpret, and govern them is lagging behind. A majority of IT and security leaders cite the lack of in-house AI skills as the biggest barrier to successful implementation. This imbalance creates a new kind of risk one where powerful tools exist, but are not fully understood or optimally used.

Cybersecurity has also moved firmly into the boardroom. Today, it is widely recognized as a core business and financial issue, not just a technical one. Boards are paying closer attention, particularly as AI introduces new operational, ethical, and governance considerations. Yet awareness of AI-related risks remains uneven, especially in organizations that are still early in their AI adoption journey.

As the skills gap persists, certifications and continuous training remain important signals of competency and readiness. At the same time, declining investment in professional development raises questions about whether organizations are doing enough to build long-term resilience, rather than relying solely on tools to compensate for human shortages.

Closing the cybersecurity skills gap will require a coordinated effort. Stronger education, sustained investment in training, and responsible adoption of advanced technologies must work together. In this environment, some organizations are also turning to Managed Security Service Providers such as Directpath Global Technologies (DGT) to complement internal capabilities. DGT supports organizations through services including mobile threat defense, extended detection and response, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, next-generation firewalls, SOC 2 readiness, vulnerability risk management, web application firewalls, virtual CISO support, and operational technology security. Its advanced artificial intelligence division helps tailor solutions not only for cybersecurity, but for broader operational needs as well.

As AI continues to redefine both how attacks are launched and how defenses are built, the message is clear: technology alone is not enough. Organizations that pair intelligent tools with skilled people and the right partners will be far better positioned to manage risk, protect value, and stay resilient in an increasingly complex digital world.

Source: The Chronicle