UK Cybersecurity Jobs Triple Since 2021: Socura

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The saying “two nations divided by a common language” still applies in tech. The UK and US even differ on “cyber security” versus “cybersecurity.” Here, we’ll use cybersecurity. No matter the spelling, UK cybersecurity jobs are booming.

Socura has released a new report on UK cybersecurity jobs. The company provides managed detection and response services for NHS trusts, councils, and businesses. Its report, “A wave in cyber,” uses official survey data to track job roles.

“AI may be changing the landscape, but skilled professionals are still the front line of our national defence,” said Andrew Kays, CEO at Socura.

Key Findings

83,700 cybersecurity professionals in the UK by June 2025.
The figure stood at 28,500 in 2021.
Socura calculates a 194% rise across four years.
Socura calls cybersecurity careers the UK’s fastest-growing IT occupation.
Socura ranks cybersecurity as the fifth fastest-growing occupation overall.
Socura flags a caveat on that ranking.
The four faster-growing occupations start from much smaller headcounts.
Smaller workforces can produce larger percentage swings.
The report still signals sustained, national-scale growth.
The UK now has 4.5 cyber professionals for every 100 IT professionals.
That ratio has more than doubled since 2021.
Andrew Kays, Socura’s CEO, calls cyber security “a cornerstone of the UK economy.”

A Wave In Cyber

Socura notes that cyber job growth stands out among large occupations. Cybersecurity is now the fastest-growing field among roles with at least 20,000 workers. The report highlights a milestone: the UK now has more cyber specialists than architects, veterinarians, or bricklayers.

Cybersecurity jobs hiring sign at a UK cyber job fair with SOC analyst and cybersecurity careers booths.

Cyber Growth Vs. IT Occupations

Cyber hiring is growing faster than the rest of the IT market. Socura reports that IT roles, excluding cyber, grew by 9.6% on average. In contrast, cyber roles grew by 194% over the same period. The report also notes that the number of cyber professionals now exceeds IT network professionals and IT operations technicians.

The Defender-To-Business Deficit

Socura highlights a coverage gap that affects cyber resilience. In December 2021, one cyber professional supported 196 UK businesses. By mid-2025, that number dropped to 68 businesses per professional. Kays says this ratio needs to keep improving for national safety. He writes that service providers offer “a vital way to access specialist skills.”

Women In Cyber

More women are joining the field. The number of female cyber professionals grew from 6,800 in 2021 to 17,900 by June 2025, a 163% increase according to Socura. Women made up 21% of cyber professionals in June 2025, but the report still describes the sector as heavily male-dominated.

Dr Clare Johnson of Women in Cyber Unlimited calls the static gender split “disappointing.” She highlights programs and networks that build visibility. She says they create “visible role models.”

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The Regional Talent Divide

Socura tracks cyber talent by region. The South East has the most cyber professionals, with London and the North West following closely. Each of these regions has more than 12,000 cyber specialists. London has 20% of the UK’s IT workers but only 13% of its cyber workers.

Scotland posts the fastest growth rate, with a 700% increase since 2021. Socura urges caution about that figure due to a low baseline.

AI And Regulation

Socura expects regulation and AI to reshape cyber work. The report points to the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill as a catalyst. Dr Yulia Cherdantseva of Cardiff University flags a persistent skills gap. She calls for shared knowledge frameworks and consistent language in job descriptions. She says AI will “augment rather than replace human expertise,” and she expects new specialisms and continuous learning.

Kays says, “Human expertise remains vital to tackling today’s threats.” He urges investment in talent pipelines and wellbeing.

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What It Means For Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurers monitor staffing because people are key to fast responses and strong controls. Many companies still lack in-house defenders. The one-per-68 ratio shows this strain. As demand for cybersecurity jobs grows, buyers may keep relying on MDR partners.

Conclusion

Socura presents cybersecurity jobs and careers as a national priority with strong growth ahead. The report calls for more accessible ways to enter the profession and encourages regional development beyond London and the South East.

Methodology

Socura’s analysis uses data from the ONS Annual Population Survey. The APS collects 12 months of data and updates it every quarter. The ONS started tracking “cybersecurity professionals” as a separate SOC 2020 code in 2021.

Martin Hinton

Martin Hinton is the Executive Editor and Publisher of Cyber Insurance News and Information. With over three decades of journalism experience across six continents, his work encompasses investigative reporting, documentaries, and coverage of cultural, political, and business news. To learn more about his career, click on his name to visit his LinkedIn page.