{"id":72757,"date":"2026-01-09T07:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/?p=72757"},"modified":"2026-01-06T10:50:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T02:50:58","slug":"its-a-prime-poaching-ground-for-security-pros-seize-it-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/2026\/01\/09\/its-a-prime-poaching-ground-for-security-pros-seize-it-now\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s a prime poaching ground for security pros. Seize it now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong><em>By Jurgita Lapienyt\u0117<br \/>\nEditor in Chief, Cybernews<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>During layoffs and hiring freezes, when shortsighted businessmen choose temporary savings over long-term wins, visionary employers are scooping up top cyber talent.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Mass layoffs, hiring freezes, market uncertainty, and rushed AI integration crack businesses wide open to cyberattacks. Visionary leaders, however, can see the current situation as a rare opportunity to snatch talent in between jobs.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">Current cybersecurity landscape<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Cybersecurity is no longer on the margins. Reactive approach to cyber incidents is being replaced by proactive measures to prevent cyberattacks. But while the necessary tools and innovation to fend off attackers might be in place, specialists are nowhere to be found. And the situation is getting even worse every year.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">According to The<a href=\"https:\/\/cisionone-email.cybernews.com\/c\/eJwsy71u6yAUAOCngQ0LDj8xA0MUydKdM9wxwoeDQxPHLZBGefvKVddP-lLwpDUoTkEdnFP64KXn15D9DM5qZZXTyngrM-CcLI0xWjMax0tw3liQ4CiO3l-UwqQkgHagmJGtJLqVL7HGcqfaBCL6ccaM4rF-5D7szu_h2vtnY_rIYGIwvV6voTSEYasLg-nfo5Xl2huDCSQYBpOSO59PIHYQp_dMtRE-a-lv8X-rt7xVJHHuz_TmK6USRaU7xUaipPALlz9g-ghSKxh5DeWRN2bk9uw1LrTGZcBt5a1XonWPY4rJ-vEgEK0UBg2JWSYpstIz5hRxdpF_B_gJAAD__9EHZmk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/cisionone-email.cybernews.com\/c\/eJwsy71u6yAUAOCngQ0LDj8xA0MUydKdM9wxwoeDQxPHLZBGefvKVddP-lLwpDUoTkEdnFP64KXn15D9DM5qZZXTyngrM-CcLI0xWjMax0tw3liQ4CiO3l-UwqQkgHagmJGtJLqVL7HGcqfaBCL6ccaM4rF-5D7szu_h2vtnY_rIYGIwvV6voTSEYasLg-nfo5Xl2huDCSQYBpOSO59PIHYQp_dMtRE-a-lv8X-rt7xVJHHuz_TmK6USRaU7xUaipPALlz9g-ghSKxh5DeWRN2bk9uw1LrTGZcBt5a1XonWPY4rJ-vEgEK0UBg2JWSYpstIz5hRxdpF_B_gJAAD__9EHZmk&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767754026829000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ruzgifjl1Re9Zd6ypdaWg\">\u00a02024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study<\/a>, the cybersecurity workforce gap is around 4,8 million, or 19% higher than the previous year. I would expect the demand will keep outpacing talent supply because of two main reasons:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Businesses favor AI over inexperienced workers. According to a 54\u2011page Stanford paper titled &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/cisionone-email.cybernews.com\/c\/eJwszs1u3yAQBPCngdtGfNjYHDjk4teIlmXxn9bg1JBUfvvKbW8zP2mkScGztUZLDnpxTtvFKy9fIdISXWZ0zpqcV52nmXF2CbVCj4iyBOen2SjjGFfvP7SmpJUx1hktJtVL4p_lF1QsB18diMivkTJBqz_yeHtcHuE1xmcX9l2YTZiN7shX49_9jc4qzIYFnvYvvbBD5P2rwTihl72VXAjbOG7AnJkGcBvXDQd_8wFcP4_zrtyGMJusnArCxQdjZygp_IWP_yDsu1FWm1VeobR8ikmdX-PCnSvuzxXZx8Vcn-GaMM1-XYBoVjDRxBBVUpC1jZQTUnQov4P5EwAA__-PrG9W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/cisionone-email.cybernews.com\/c\/eJwszs1u3yAQBPCngdtGfNjYHDjk4teIlmXxn9bg1JBUfvvKbW8zP2mkScGztUZLDnpxTtvFKy9fIdISXWZ0zpqcV52nmXF2CbVCj4iyBOen2SjjGFfvP7SmpJUx1hktJtVL4p_lF1QsB18diMivkTJBqz_yeHtcHuE1xmcX9l2YTZiN7shX49_9jc4qzIYFnvYvvbBD5P2rwTihl72VXAjbOG7AnJkGcBvXDQd_8wFcP4_zrtyGMJusnArCxQdjZygp_IWP_yDsu1FWm1VeobR8ikmdX-PCnSvuzxXZx8Vcn-GaMM1-XYBoVjDRxBBVUpC1jZQTUnQov4P5EwAA__-PrG9W&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767754026829000&amp;usg=AOvVaw37A0dkOF2tIlhqHHgr0Bcu\">Canaries in the Coal Mine? Six Facts about the Recent Employment Effects of Artificial Intelligence<\/a>,&#8221; employment among early\u2011career workers (ages 22\u201325) in AI\u2011exposed sectors\u2014such as software engineering and customer service\u2014fell by about 13%. More experienced workers who could oversee AI are needed. But not all companies recognize the need to grow and upskill talent themselves.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">AI is being implemented hastily by organizations and threat actors alike. Companies are eager to deploy AI tools to pursue the promising opportunities these technologies offer, often without realizing that doing so introduces\u00a0additional security risks. Attackers, in turn,\u00a0leverage AI at scale\u00a0to automate the discovery and exploitation of vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Recently, the\u00a0The World Economic Forum (WEF) urged companies to implement cybersecurity measures at the speed of AI implementation as \u201cAI introduces risk at the same rate as it introduces efficiencies.\u201d They say security has to be a part of the strategic business roadmap.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But given there aren\u2019t enough specialists, is that easier said than done? Let me make a brief detour and give you a quick overview of the current job market to show that hope is not lost just yet.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">What\u2019s happening with the job market and why it matters<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you asked me to describe it in one word, I\u2019d say: uncertainty. Between market frenzy and\u00a0AI\u2011bubble talk, and a rush to cut operational costs, employers seem unable to settle on a long\u2011term hiring strategy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In the US, 7.2 million people (about 4.3%) are unemployed.\u00a0Federal\u00a0and\u00a0AI-related layoffs, global trade tensions, and AI\u2011fueled uncertainty have left tens of thousands struggling to find jobs despite months of searching.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But businesses with a long\u2011term vision see opportunity. The talent pool has grown, making it easier to find the right candidate. Cybersecurity insiders say people are now more willing to relocate for work, and many value stability over salary\u2014often accepting raises of only 3\u20134% instead of the 10\u201315% that was typical before.<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\">Time to tap the bigger talent pool<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">AI is already replacing many intern tasks, especially in IT roles like programming, and companies are automating other functions such as customer support. But treating this shift as a looming catastrophe would be a mistake.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">While AI automates some tasks and renders certain roles redundant, it also creates new jobs \u2014 and cybersecurity stands out as a clear growth area. Cybernews\u2019s in\u2011house investigations show that automation has, so far, introduced fresh security risks for organizations. For example,\u00a0Lenovo\u2019s chatbot Lena could be compromised, giving attackers a way into internal systems.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Our researchers even\u00a0outsmarted Meta AI, showcasing even the biggest players need more input and talent when it comes to the security of their systems.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">As autonomous\u00a0AI agents\u00a0become capable of solving problems and acting on users\u2019 behalf, the attack surface that cybersecurity teams must defend will only expand.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cCybersecurity is one of those rare fields where AI creates more work than it automates away,\u201d a security insider told me.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">We will not only need more people to defend our systems, but we will need more highly skilled people. In the short term, market turmoil may give employers a larger candidate pool, but that\u2019s no substitute for a long\u2011term talent strategy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">To meet future business needs, we must invest in young people now. Some intern tasks can be automated, but hiring and training juniors remains essential. Firms that focus solely on short\u2011term savings risk losing out \u2014 it\u2019s wiser to invest in the next generation of talent.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">ISC2 highlighted\u00a0that investing in entry-and junior-level talent is key to building a more resilient cybersecurity workforce.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The more we automate, the more human input we\u2019ll need. When searching for talent, cherish non\u2011technical skills like problem\u2011solving, analytical thinking, and a willingness to learn on the job.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In the age of AI, prioritize people.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>ABOUT THE AUTHOR\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>Jurgita Lapienyt\u0117 is the Editor-in-Chief at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cisionone-email.cybernews.com\/c\/eJwszDFuKyEQgOHTQIc1M7ALFBRufA2LHQab94ydwCZRbh9tlPaT_r-kKNYSakno1xWtjxD1PYXNx-KAPWAVhxzYe87iHMTseUHd0hrdQkCr5BDjFZELApFdCZWD2Yr8b--m5_aQMQ0zx7BxZfPs_-p-Olw_0n3f36ayZ0UXRRf-3mQ85Wue-NUVXXSX0rIZ8pA8xbSSfuH6B8qeCSxS0CO1Z30pB6-PfeSb9Hw7FnruQ6QfYSi5LDF4w7yAcezEbFDAVLQb15J5W7P-TPQTAAD__77GU7A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/cisionone-email.cybernews.com\/c\/eJwszDFuKyEQgOHTQIc1M7ALFBRufA2LHQab94ydwCZRbh9tlPaT_r-kKNYSakno1xWtjxD1PYXNx-KAPWAVhxzYe87iHMTseUHd0hrdQkCr5BDjFZELApFdCZWD2Yr8b--m5_aQMQ0zx7BxZfPs_-p-Olw_0n3f36ayZ0UXRRf-3mQ85Wue-NUVXXSX0rIZ8pA8xbSSfuH6B8qeCSxS0CO1Z30pB6-PfeSb9Hw7FnruQ6QfYSi5LDF4w7yAcezEbFDAVLQb15J5W7P-TPQTAAD__77GU7A&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767754026830000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Vi-fQ5lropAB5Yh7rjGZ1\">Cybernews<\/a>, where she leads a team of journalists and security experts dedicated to uncovering cyber threats through research, testing, and data-driven reporting, including AI security. With a career spanning over 15 years, she has reported on major global events, including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2015 Paris terror attacks, and has driven transparency through investigative journalism. A passionate advocate for cybersecurity awareness and women in tech, Jurgita has interviewed leading cybersecurity figures and amplifies underrepresented voices in the industry. Recognized as the\u00a0Cybersecurity Journalist of the Year\u00a0and featured in Top Cyber News Magazine\u2019s 40 Under 40 in Cybersecurity, she is a thought leader shaping the conversation around cybersecurity. Jurgita has been quoted internationally \u2013 by the BBC,\u00a0Metro UK,\u00a0\u00a0The Epoch Times,\u00a0Extra Bladet,\u00a0Computer Bild, and more. Her team reports on proprietary research highlighted in such outlets as the BBC, Forbes, TechRadar, Daily Mail, Fox News, Yahoo, and much more.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mass layoffs, hiring freezes, market uncertainty, and rushed AI integration crack businesses wide open to cyberattacks. Visionary leaders, however, can see the current situation as a rare opportunity to snatch talent in between jobs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":61622,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,26],"tags":[853,1481,4752,54],"class_list":["post-72757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-headlines","category-opinions","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-cybersecurity","tag-hacker","tag-security"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72757"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72758,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72757\/revisions\/72758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}