Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, has released its 2025 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, revealing a sharp rise in cyber threats amid a widening shortage of skilled professionals. According to the report, 86% of organizations worldwide experienced at least one cyber breach in 2024, underscoring the growing inevitability of cyberattacks across industries and regions.
Cybersecurity Talent Shortage Reaches Critical Levels
The report highlights a global shortfall of more than 4.7 million cybersecurity professionals, leaving critical roles unfilled at a time of escalating threats. This skills gap continues to be a primary driver of security incidents, with 54% of surveyed organizations citing a lack of cybersecurity skills and training as a leading cause of breaches. Financial consequences remain severe, as 52% of organizations reported losses exceeding $1 million per cyber incident in 2024, a figure that has risen sharply from 2021 levels.
AI Adoption Grows, but Human Expertise Remains Essential
As organizations increasingly turn to artificial intelligence to strengthen cyber defenses, the report reveals a growing awareness that AI alone cannot replace human expertise. While 97% of organizations are already using or planning to deploy AI-enabled cybersecurity solutions, many acknowledge that AI can also be weaponized by attackers. Nearly 87% of cybersecurity professionals believe AI will enhance their roles rather than replace them, yet 48% of IT decision-makers cite a lack of AI expertise among staff as the biggest barrier to effective implementation.
Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation Raises Cybersecurity Stakes
In Saudi Arabia, rapid digital transformation under Vision 2030 has accelerated cloud adoption, e-government services, and smart city development, significantly increasing the need for advanced cybersecurity capabilities. While the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) emphasizes local talent development, demand for skilled professionals continues to outpace supply. High-value sectors such as government, financial services, oil and gas, and banking are experiencing a rise in identity fraud, phishing, and AI-driven cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity Moves to the Boardroom
The Fortinet report confirms that cybersecurity has become a strategic priority at the executive level. Seventy-six percent of boards increased their focus on cybersecurity in 2024, with 96% of organizations recognizing it as a business priority and 95% as a financial one. However, fewer than 49% of board members fully understand the risks posed by AI, revealing a critical knowledge gap at leadership levels.
Certifications and Upskilling Remain in High Demand
Employers continue to place strong value on professional certifications, with 89% of IT decision-makers preferring candidates who hold recognized credentials. Certifications are seen as proof of up-to-date knowledge, technical competence, and familiarity with key security platforms. Despite this, organizational willingness to fund certifications has declined, dropping to 73% in 2024, down from 89% the previous year. National initiatives such as the Saudi Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program and the Saudi Digital Academy aim to close this gap through subsidized training and certification programs.
Industry Leaders Call for Urgent Action
Commenting on the findings, Carl Windsor, CISO at Fortinet, stressed the urgency of investing in cybersecurity talent, warning that without decisive action, breach rates and financial losses will continue to rise. Meanwhile, Sami Alshwairakh, Senior Regional Director Sales at Fortinet, emphasized that Saudi Arabia must prioritize workforce upskilling to fully harness AI’s defensive potential and protect critical infrastructure, government services, and the digital economy.
Building Resilience Through Education and Technology
The report concludes that closing the cybersecurity skills gap is essential to long-term business resilience. Organizations are urged to rethink hiring strategies, invest in training, expand access to certifications, and embrace advanced security technologies. Supporting these efforts, the Fortinet Training Institute continues to offer one of the industry’s broadest training and certification programs, including AI-focused modules and security awareness services. As part of its global commitment, Fortinet remains on track to train one million people in cybersecurity worldwide by the end of 2026.
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