The cybersecurity skills gap has long been a concern for organisations, and new data suggests the challenge is becoming more acute in 2026.

New research from our partners at Fortinet shows the shortage of qualified cybersecurity talent is widening, while the cost of inaction continues to rise.

Its 2026 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, based on responses from more than 2,750 IT and security decision-makers across 32 countries, found that 71% of organisations now see the shortage of cyber talent as a direct business risk. More than half are struggling to recruit cybersecurity professionals, while 52% also say retaining existing staff is a growing challenge.

Why the gap is growing

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is changing what organisations need from their security teams. Traditional technical skills remain vital, but businesses are now also searching for specialists with experience in AI oversight, security automation, governance and emerging threat detection.

According to the report, six in ten organisations say their biggest hiring challenge is finding cybersecurity professionals with specific AI expertise.

That creates a difficult reality. Demand for skilled people is increasing, but the available talent pool remains limited. At the same time, businesses are under pressure to modernise defences, adopt new technologies and respond to increasingly sophisticated attackers.

The business impact is visible

The report found that 56% of respondents believe a lack of cybersecurity skills was a leading cause of breaches. Meanwhile, 86% experienced at least one breach in the past year.

Financial damage is also increasing. More than half of organisations said breaches had cost them more than $1 million, with average costs in North America reaching $2 million.

Boards are taking notice, but many organisations still face barriers to action. While 51% said senior cybersecurity expertise is their greatest need, 49% reported difficulty securing approval for additional hires.

Why permanent hiring alone is not enough

For many organisations, relying solely on permanent recruitment is no longer realistic. Competition for experienced professionals is intense, hiring cycles are slow, and project demands often change faster than internal teams can scale.

This is where flexible resource augmentation has become an essential strategy.

Rather than waiting months to fill critical roles, organisations are increasingly turning to specialist partners who can provide immediate access to proven expertise.

How CyberConnect360 can help

Integrity360’s CyberConnect360 service is designed to help organisations close skills gaps quickly and effectively.

Through resource augmentation, CyberConnect360 provides access to handpicked cybersecurity and IT specialists who integrate seamlessly into your existing teams and projects.

Available expertise includes:

• SOC Engineers for real-time threat detection and response
• Network Engineers and Architects for secure digital infrastructure
• Infrastructure Engineers for resilient IT environments
• DevOps, Cloud and Firewall Engineers
• PKI Administrators and CISOs
• OT Compliance specialists
• Data Analysts
• Project and Programme Managers

Whether you need short-term project support, long-term specialist capability or rapid cover during hiring gaps, CyberConnect360 gives you access to the right expertise without the delays of traditional recruitment.

Close the gap before it widens further

The 2026 skills shortage data sends a clear message. Organisations cannot afford to wait for the market to correct itself.

The cybersecurity talent gap is widening, attacker capability is increasing, and internal teams are being stretched further each year.

CyberConnect360 helps you respond now, with specialist people who can strengthen operations, accelerate projects and reduce risk from day one. Need help with your staffing needs? Get in touch with our experts today.