Socura has published its latest report, "A Wave in Cyber," analyzing Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Population Survey data from December 2021 to June 2025. The findings show cyber security has become the UK's fifth fastest-growing profession overall, with the number of cyber professionals surging 194% since 2021 to reach 83,700—outpacing traditional roles such as bricklayers, architects, veterinarians, farm workers, and armed forces officers.
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The rapid expansion reflects the escalating demand for cyber expertise as organizations face increasingly sophisticated threats and regulatory pressures. Cyber security professionals now outnumber several longstanding occupations, highlighting the profession's shift from niche specialty to essential economic pillar.
The improved ratio of one cyber professional per 68 businesses signals better coverage compared to 2021, though gaps persist in scaling talent to match the pace of digital transformation across sectors.
"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 at Socura. "AI may be changing the landscape, but skilled professionals are still the front line of our national defence. For the UK to remain a global leader in online safety, we must ensure that we continue to develop talent with the skills needed to keep pace with modern threats and that a career in cyber is accessible to everyone."
Dr Yulia Cherdantseva, Director, Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education at Cardiff University, emphasized AI's transformative yet positive role: "Artificial Intelligence is transforming the profession, yet the outlook for the cyber security workforce remains positive. Practitioners increasingly view AI as a way to augment rather than replace human expertise. Longer term, it is expected to create new specialisms and drive continuous learning, reinforcing the sector's growth. By embracing cross-sector collaboration, international cooperation, and globally shared skills and knowledge frameworks and standards, we can build a workforce that is not only skilled but resilient, adaptable, and prepared for the evolving threat landscape."
Gender diversity remains a key challenge. While the number of women in cyber security rose 163% since 2021, they still represent just over 20% of the workforce. Dr Clare Johnson, Founder, Women in Cyber Unlimited, noted: "It is disappointing that gender diversity in the sector remains fairly static, with women making up just over twenty per cent of the cyber security workforce. Initiatives such as the CyberFirst Girls' competition and the increasing number of Women in Cyber networks are important in addressing this imbalance. Providing a platform for women to showcase their skills and meet other women, alongside being visible role models, all helps to raise awareness of the importance of diversity. The more brilliant minds we have working on cyber security challenges, the more resilient we will all be."
The report also points to regional disparities in workforce distribution, underscoring the need for broader accessibility and targeted development efforts to sustain growth and national resilience.
METHODOLOGY The findings of the report are derived from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Population Survey (APS). The APS is a continuous survey comprising 12 months of data, which is released on a quarterly basis. This report analyses data released between December 2021 and June 2025.
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ABOUT SOCURA
Socura is a Managed Detection and Response provider bringing the power of calm to organisations across the UK. In an ever-changing landscape, we empower teams with the clarity, control, and confidence to minimise cyber security risk and thrive. Trusted by businesses and critical infrastructure, we deliver a precise, measured, and personal service that shuts down threats swiftly and effectively. We're proud to be ranked among the top 100 managed security service providers globally.
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