Cybersecurity becomes Britain’s most sought-after tech skill as pay and hiring surge

Businesses across the UK are scrambling for cybersecurity staff as skills shortages deepen, vacancies rise and pay packets come under renewed pressure

Cybersecurity has become the most in-demand skill in UK technology hiring, with employers increasing pay and stepping up recruitment as businesses scramble to fill a widening shortage of security specialists.

New research from Robert Half found that 48 per cent of employers now see cybersecurity as the top technical skill they are seeking in 2026, making it the single most sought-after specialism across UK technology functions. 

The same data showed that 44 per cent of companies plan to recruit for cybersecurity and IT security roles in the next six months, more than for any other technical area.

The figures point to a labour market in which cyber risk is now shaping both hiring priorities and pay. 

Robert Half said more than 40 per cent of employers were offering salary premiums to attract cybersecurity talent, reflecting the difficulty of securing qualified staff in a market where demand continues to outstrip supply.

Its job-posting data suggests that pressure is intensifying with more than 6,000 new cybersecurity roles being advertised across the UK in the past year – a 14 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

Demand was strongest for information security analysts, with more than 3,100 new vacancies, up 29 per cent year on year. Information security managers were also heavily sought after, with more than 1,300 new postings, an annual increase of eight per cent.

London was the largest hiring hub, with more than 2,200 new roles advertised over the past year. Manchester followed with around 450, while Bristol and Birmingham each recorded about 350, indicating that demand for specialist security staff extends beyond the capital.

The pay pressure reflects a broader shortage of talent. Robert Half pointed to World Economic Forum estimates of a global shortfall of more than four million cybersecurity professionals, adding to competition for staff and pushing salaries higher.

Craig Freedberg, regional director at Robert Half, said: “Cybersecurity has become mission-critical for every business, but the demand for skilled professionals has grown far faster than the available talent pipeline.”

He added: “To attract and retain cybersecurity specialists, businesses need to focus on comprehensive, value-rich employment packages that go beyond compensation, including career development, continuous training, meaningful work and flexible working options.”

The research was based on a November 2025 survey of 500 UK hiring managers across finance and accounting, IT, administrative and customer support, marketing and creative, and legal. The job demand analysis drew on 789,000 postings from 2025 provided by Textkernel.

READ MORE: ‘Cybersecurity talent crunch drives double-digit pay rises as UK firms count cost of breaches‘. Research by recruiter Robert Half warns UK businesses are facing soaring salary bills and growing risks as demand for cybersecurity, risk and compliance experts outstrips supply. Recent attacks on brands including Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover — with M&S alone losing more than £300m in revenue — have pushed cyber resilience to the top of boardroom agendas. 

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