The UK’s cybersecurity workforce has grown at a pace that now rivals the country’s most established professions.
According to a new report from cybersecurity services provider Socura, the number of people working in cybersecurity roles in the UK has risen 194% since 2021, making it the fifth fastest-growing profession nationwide and the fastest-growing role within IT.
The findings, published in Socura’s latest report “A Wave in Cyber,” are based on analysis of more than 400 occupations tracked by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Population Survey between December 2021 and June 2025.
The data shows there are now approximately 83,700 cybersecurity professionals in the UK, up from 28,500 in 2021. That figure means the sector now employs more people than traditionally prominent professions, including bricklayers, architects, veterinary professionals, farm workers, and members of the armed forces, according to the report.
Cybersecurity Becomes Core Economic Infrastructure
Beyond headcount growth, the report highlights a structural shift in how central cybersecurity has become to the UK economy.
Socura’s analysis suggests there is now one cybersecurity professional for every 68 UK businesses, compared with one per 196 businesses in 2021, indicating a sharp rise in organisational dependence on security expertise as digital threats intensify.
“The latest ONS employment figures prove that cyber security is no longer a niche industry — it is a cornerstone of the UK economy,” said Andrew Kays, CEO of Socura. “AI may be changing the landscape, but skilled professionals are still the front line of our national defence.”
Socura works with NHS trusts, local authorities, and private-sector organisations, and positions the growth as a response to escalating ransomware activity, supply-chain attacks, and increasing regulatory pressure.
AI Seen as an Augmenter, Not a Job Killer
Despite concerns that automation and artificial intelligence could reduce demand for human security roles, the report suggests the opposite.
Dr Yulia Cherdantseva, Director of the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education at Cardiff University, said practitioners increasingly see AI as a force multiplier rather than a replacement.
“Artificial Intelligence is transforming the profession, yet the outlook for the cyber security workforce remains positive,” she said. “Longer term, it is expected to create new specialisms and drive continuous learning, reinforcing the sector’s growth.”
Gender Gap and Regional Imbalances Persist
While overall employment is surging, the report highlights persistent diversity challenges.
The number of women working in UK cybersecurity roles has increased 163% since 2021, but women still make up only around 20% of the workforce, according to Socura’s analysis.
“It is disappointing that gender diversity in the sector remains fairly static,” said Dr Clare Johnson, Founder of Women in Cyber Unlimited. She pointed to initiatives such as CyberFirst Girls and women-led cyber networks as critical to improving visibility, access, and long-term retention.
The report also flags regional disparities, with cybersecurity employment heavily concentrated in specific parts of the UK, raising concerns about uneven access to skills development and career pathways.
A Talent Pipeline Under Pressure
As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, the report concludes that sustaining momentum will depend on education, inclusivity, and continuous skills development, particularly as AI reshapes defensive strategies.
“For the UK to remain a global leader in online safety, we must continue to develop talent with the skills needed to keep pace with modern threats,” Kays said.
