Cyberthreats and attacks—including ransomware, data breaches and phishing schemes—are increasing in frequency and sophistication and targeting organizations of every size, in every industry. The rapid adoption of digital technologies, cloud computing and the Internet of Things, and the shift to hybrid and remote work models, have expanded the attack surface that malicious actors can exploit.Now, many adversaries are using advanced tools like generative AI to create and deploy potent threats faster and at scale. Research predicts that global cybercrime damage could reach $10.5 trillion this year, and as high as $12.2 trillion annually by 2031. According to the latest Top Risks survey from global consulting firm Protiviti, a Robert Half subsidiary, cyberthreats are the second-highest concern for business leaders across the globe in the next two to three years, and the number one operational risk looking ahead to the next decade.
Insights Into Cybersecurity Careers and the Job Market
What is the hiring outlook for cybersecurity professionals?
With organizations facing mounting threats to their digital infrastructure and data, implementing and fortifying cybersecurity measures is a critical business priority. Not surprisingly, the demand for skilled security professionals is high. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 29% growth rate in the employment of information security analysts from 2024 to 2034, which is significantly faster than the average for all occupations. The intensifying need for cybersecurity talent spans industries, including technology, finance and healthcare—and many businesses are struggling to staff key positions in their IT departments and security operations centers (SOCs). Robert Half’s recent analysis of trending tech and IT skills confirmed cybersecurity is one of the top emerging skill sets employers have been hiring for in recent years.Many organizations are offering competitive salaries, benefits and perks to attract and retain top cybersecurity professionals. For example, we know from research conducted for the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half that more than half (53%) of U.S. employers are willing to increase starting compensation for candidates with in-demand cybersecurity skills, and 41% said they would boost compensation for cloud security skills.
Cybersecurity salary projections for 2026
How much you could earn as a cybersecurity professional depends on your specific role, as well as your skill set and level of experience. Other factors, including your geographic location, the size of the organization that hires you and remote work options, can influence your pay.The following midpoint starting salaries for security positions, including cybersecurity roles, featured in the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half can give you a good sense of what employers are prepared to pay new hires in today’s market. (As we explain in our Salary Guide, a midpoint salary applies to a candidate with moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.)Cybersecurity analyst: $122,250Cybersecurity engineer: $144,000Data security analyst: $149,500Network security administrator: $130,000Network security engineer: $145,500Security architect: $157,250Systems security administrator: $134,750Systems security manager: $172,500Explore more projected starting salaries for security and other technology positions, and details on where our salary data comes from, in the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half. You can also use our Salary Calculator to customize starting salaries for your local market.
In-demand skills and certifications for cybersecurity careers
Depending on what and how much they need to protect, many organizations need access to a deep bench of diverse security talent to help them build and maintain effective defenses for today’s threat environment. Examples of valued skills in the field include:Network security—understanding network technologies like firewalls, including next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), virtual private networks, and network segmentation.Cloud security—securing cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, including cloud-native security tools and services.Data security—understanding data loss prevention (DLP), data encryption techniques and database security best practices.DevSecOps—integrating security practices into software development life cycles.Risk management—identifying and mitigating cybersecurity risks across systems.Incident response—handling and resolving cybersecurity incidents quickly and accurately.Ethical hacking—using penetration testing to find and fix vulnerabilities in systems or networks.AI-related skills are becoming increasingly essential for security roles, too, as companies integrate machine learning and automation into threat detection and response. Professionals with proficiency in using AI for threat hunting, SIEM analyst, vulnerability management and security automation are highly sought.
Many employers look for candidates who can work with AI programs or models, such as neural networks and natural language processing, for predicting and mitigating cyber risks. They are also increasingly on the lookout for candidates with certifications related to AI, like Microsoft’s AI-900 or Google Cloud’s Machine Learning Engineer designation.Examples of other IT credentials that many organizations seek (and may pay more for) when recruiting cybersecurity talent include:Certified cloud security professional (CCSP)Certified data privacy solutions engineer (CDPSE)Certified ethical hacker (CEH)Certified information security manager (CISM)Certified information systems auditor (CISA)Certified information systems security professional (CISSP)CompTIA Security+Many employers also look for candidates with expertise in incident response and knowledge of compliance frameworks like NIST and ISO 27001. Strong soft skills, including excellent communication, critical thinking and collaboration abilities are also highly valued, as well as necessary for success in cybersecurity careers.
A challenging and rewarding career path
Search jobs nowCybersecurity is a highly technical and demanding field, with new challenges constantly emerging as cyberthreats evolve. One of the most compelling aspects of working in cybersecurity, perhaps, is the sense of purpose these jobs and their responsibilities can provide. Cybersecurity professionals play a crucial role in protecting organizations, employees, customers—and even national security.
If you’re passionate about working with technology, solving problems, safeguarding critical systems and data, and keeping bad actors at bay, a cybersecurity career may be the path for you. With high and growing demand for skilled talent, competitive salaries and a variety of specializations to consider, now is a great time to explore your options in this dynamic field.As a starting point, check out the cybersecurity job listings on Robert Half’s website.
