ISC2’s 2025 AI Adoption Pulse Survey, released on July 16, 2025, reveals a cautious yet growing adoption of AI security tools among cybersecurity professionals, with insights into their impact on team performance and hiring trends. Based on responses from 436 global cybersecurity professionals, the survey highlights how AI is reshaping cybersecurity operations while raising concerns about entry-level roles.
30% of cybersecurity professionals currently use AI security tools, with 42% exploring or testing them.
70% of adopters report improved team effectiveness, particularly in network monitoring (60%) and endpoint protection (56%).
Large organizations (10,000+ employees) lead adoption at 37%, while smaller firms (1–99 employees) lag at 20%.
52% believe AI will reduce entry-level hiring, but 31% see new opportunities for early-career roles.
Industries like industrial enterprises (38%) and IT services (36%) lead adoption, while financial services (21%) and public sector (16%) trail.
44% report no impact on hiring, but 44% note organizations are rethinking roles to support AI tools.
The survey, conducted from May 13 to May 22, 2025, defines AI security tools as “AI-enabled security solutions, generative AI, and/or agentic AI for automatic action.” Currently, 30% of cybersecurity professionals use these tools, with 42% actively exploring or testing them, signaling strong momentum for future adoption. Among adopters, 70% report enhanced team effectiveness, particularly in:
Network monitoring and intrusion detection (60%)
Endpoint protection and response (56%)
Vulnerability management (50%)
Threat modeling (45%)
Security testing (43%)
“AI is reshaping how organizations operate, and cybersecurity is no exception,” said Casey Marks, ISC2 Chief Qualifications Officer. “Our latest AI Survey shows cautious but growing interest in AI security tools, with adoption expected to accelerate in the future.”
Larger organizations (10,000+ employees) lead AI adoption at 37%, followed by mid-to-large (2,500–9,999 employees) and smaller (100–499 employees) organizations at 33%. Smaller firms (1–99 employees) and mid-sized organizations (500–2,499 employees) show the lowest adoption at 20%, with 23% of the smallest firms having no plans to evaluate AI tools. Industries like industrial enterprises (38%), IT services (36%), and commercial/consumer sectors (36%) are at the forefront, while financial services (21%) and the public sector (16%) lag but show interest in future integration (41% and 36% evaluating, respectively).
The survey highlights mixed impacts on hiring. While 52% of respondents believe AI will reduce the need for entry-level staff, 31% see it creating new early-career roles, and 28% note opportunities for entry-level talent through automation of repetitive tasks. Additionally, 44% report no immediate impact on hiring, but 44% say organizations are reevaluating roles and skills to align with AI adoption. This suggests a shift toward prioritizing transferable skills like problem-solving over niche technical expertise.
The findings emphasize the need for organizations to balance AI-driven efficiencies with investment in entry-level talent to maintain a resilient workforce. “Findings suggest that AI is helping cybersecurity professionals by automating repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus on more meaningful work,” Marks added. However, the survey underscores the importance of upskilling and clear AI strategies to address concerns about job obsolescence and ensure professionals remain agile in an AI-driven landscape.
ISC2’s survey provides critical insights for cybersecurity leaders navigating AI’s evolving role, highlighting both its potential to enhance operations and the challenges of maintaining a skilled, future-ready workforce.
ISC2 conducted an online survey to measure adoption of AI security tools across organizations, and to better understand the impact of this adoption on team effectiveness, entry-level jobs and cybersecurity hiring. In total, n=436 professionals currently working in a role with cybersecurity responsibilities participated. The survey was posted on ISC2's member dashboard pages from May 13 to May 22, 2025. For the purposes of this survey, AI security tools were defined as "AI-enabled security solutions, generative AI, and/or agentic AI for automatic action."
ISC2 is the world's leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 265,000 certified members, and associates, are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity's premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world.
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