Cybersecurity is the UK’s hottest tech skill as demand and salaries soar

Cybersecurity expertise has risen to the forefront of the UK’s technology hiring agenda, becoming the most sought‑after and among the highest‑paid technical skill sets. 

Amid intensifying cyber incidents and mounting regulatory pressures, businesses are offering salary premiums to compete for a limited pool of qualified security professionals according to new research from global talent solutions firm Robert Half.

The firm’s latest data reveals intensifying pressure on the UK tech talent market, with cybersecurity emerging as the single highest priority skill set for employers, cited by 48% of technology leaders. This is matched by strong hiring intent: 44% of companies plan to recruit for cybersecurity and IT security roles within the next six months, outpacing all other technical specialities.

Skills shortages are driving salary premiums

As the talent gap widens, Robert Half’s data reveals employers are relying on premium pay packets to attract talent. 

The findings show 44% of employers report cybersecurity skills as a primary driver of salary increases within their IT functions. This mirrors global trends, with the WE estimating a worldwide shortage of over four million cybersecurity professionals, fuelling competition and inflating salaries as employers try to secure scarce expertise.

But with demand far outstripping supply, employers are being forced to rethink how they attract, develop and retain critical security talent.

Roles in cybersecurity on the up

Robert Half's proprietary job posting database reveals strong growth in the UK cybersecurity job market in the past year, with overore than 6,000 new security roles advertised nationwide, a 14% increase over the previous year.

Demand was highest for Information Security Analysts, with over 3,100 new vacancies, reflecting a significant (29%) year‑on‑year rise. The role of Information Security Manager also remained in strong demand, with over 1,300 new postings and an 8% year-on-year increase.

The UK’s leading hubs for cybersecurity hiring in the past year were London (over 2,200 new roles), Manchester (around 450 roles), Bristol (around 350 roles), and Birmingham (around 350 roles), underlining ongoing demand for specialist security talent across both major metropolitan and regional markets.

https://www.roberthalf.com/gb/en