Mind the Gap: What the Cybersecurity and IT Skills Shortage Means for Employers in 2025

Key Takeaways

Cybersecurity skills gaps are costing businesses—87% of organizations experienced a breach last year, with many losing over $1M due to insufficient staff training.
Workforce shortages persist—There’s a global shortfall of 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals, and U.S. numbers are declining year over year.
Digital skills matter across roles—92% of jobs require digital know-how, yet a third of U.S. workers lack basic digital skills.
Training programs aren’t keeping pace—IT leaders cite low proficiency in AI and machine learning, and many say their current training can't keep up with rapid tech changes.
Organizations are willing to invest—94% of leaders say they’re ready to fund certifications, but access to upskilling remains limited.
Skill Labs offer a solution—With real-world, browser-based training mapped to key certifications, Skill Labs provide scalable, hands-on upskilling aligned with today’s job demands.

It’s no longer a hypothetical problem. The skills gap in cybersecurity and IT is hitting businesses where it hurts—with real breaches, real costs, and real workforce limitations. And in 2025, doing nothing is becoming the riskiest option of all.

The Risk is Real—and Rising

According to Fortinet’s 2024 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, 87% of organizations experienced at least one breach last year, and more than half suffered financial losses exceeding $1 million. The most common culprit? A lack of cybersecurity skills and training among IT and security staff.

In fact, IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report shows that organizations with insufficiently staffed security teams paid $550,000 more per breach on average—and saw an overall $1.76 million increase in total breach costs due to the skills gap.

Let that sink in: the absence of the right skills is a direct line to higher risk and higher losses.

We Simply Don’t Have Enough People

It’s not just a question of training—it’s a question of headcount. The (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study reports a global shortage of 4.8 million professionals. In the U.S. alone, the cybersecurity workforce actually declined by 5% year over year.

Meanwhile, a Global Cybersecurity Forum and BCG report reveals that only 72% of cybersecurity roles are currently filled, and women make up just 24% of the cybersecurity workforce.

We’re under-resourced, under-diversified, and increasingly underprepared.

The Digital Skills Gap Extends Beyond Cybersecurity

The problem isn’t limited to cybersecurity specialists. Today, 92% of jobs require digital skills, according to the National Skills Coalition. Yet one-third of U.S. workers lack even foundational digital competencies.

The Skillsoft IT Skills and Salary Report echoes this concern:

43% of IT leaders rate their team’s AI and machine learning skills as low.
97% believe certified staff add value to the organization.
But many say their training programs can’t keep pace with rapid tech change.

Even when leaders want to train their teams, the tools often fall short of the need.

So Why Aren’t We Upskilling Fast Enough?

Despite the need, barriers persist. According to Fortinet, 58% of IT leaders identify insufficient training and upskilling opportunities as a major challenge—even though 94% say they’re willing to invest in certifications for their employees.

And while universities are producing more graduates in cybersecurity (up 34% in the UK from 2020–2024), the demand still vastly outpaces supply.

In other words, we’re trying—but the gap is still growing.

What Needs to Change: Real Training, Real Tools

It’s time to stop relying on passive learning and static resources. If we want to close the skills gap, we need training that mirrors the real world.

That’s where Skill Labs come in.

Skill Labs are browser-based, hands-on environments built to develop the exact skills employers need:

Learners practice in real IT and cybersecurity environments (not simulations)
Labs are mapped to top certifications like A+, Network+, Security+, and CEH
Auto-scoring and LMS integration reduce the admin lift
Designed to support onboarding, upskilling, and reskilling at scale

Whether your team needs to manage risk, boost readiness, or build confidence, Skill Labs give them a practical, scalable way to learn by doing.

Don’t Wait for the Next Breach

The skills gap is no longer just a future concern. It’s impacting your teams, your tools, and your bottom line today. But it’s also a solvable challenge—with the right training strategy.