From shortage to strength: Fixing the cyber skills gap

Australia, Jan 27, 2026

The cyber skills shortage is one of the most pressing challenges facing organisations today. According to IDC’s latest research, a staggering 73% of ransomware incidents are the result of human error, and 67% of these attacks lead to successful data infiltration. The financial impact is severe: 21% of organisations that paid a ransom handed over between $100,000 and $1 million to regain access to their systems or data. Beyond the financial cost, 81% of breached organisations suffered business disruption lasting from a few days to several weeks.

Why is there a cybersecurity talent shortage?

Organisations are struggling to hire and retain cybersecurity talent for several reasons:

  • Shortage: There simply isn’t enough talent to meet demand.
  • Cost: Security budgets are often constrained, limiting the ability to attract top talent.
  • Complexity: New technologies require new skills, making it hard for in-house teams to keep up.

The consequences are far-reaching. Critical functions are left understaffed, introducing risk and delaying digital transformation initiatives. For example, 42% of organisations report it takes longer to fill vacant positions, 35% say digital transformation is delayed, and 40% struggle to retain top talent.

When we speak with CIOs and senior leaders across our regional organisations, ransomware consistently emerges as one of the issues that keeps them up at night. Their frustration isn’t about lacking vision—they know what they want to achieve. The real challenge is finding the human expertise and capacity required to execute at the pace the threat landscape demands.

Rony Mikhael, Director Networking, Collaboration & Security, Logicalis Germany

What’s holding CIOs back?

CIOs and security leaders face three main obstacles:

  1. AI-driven threats outpacing defences (including AI-enabled phishing and other attacks).
  2. The growing sophistication of cyberthreats and attackers (now with added AI).
  3. Cybersecurity talent shortages and skills gaps (automation is improving, but skilled people remain essential for critical roles).

The need for 24/7/365 dedicated staff, expertise in the latest security tools, and skills to increase automation across detection and response workflows are top challenges for getting the most value from security operations.

The pace of change: Why in-house talent alone isn’t enough

The security and technology landscape is evolving rapidly. AI adoption, cloud configuration, and new security risks are creating unprecedented demand for specialised skills. Many of the biggest business risks associated with agentic AI—such as data privacy breaches, cloud security, and governance—stem from a lack of in-house expertise.

Even exceptional in-house teams face an asymmetric fight when it comes to cyber security. With attackers operating 24x7 with weaponised AI, they can exploit tool complexity faster than most organisations can hire or retain the skills to counter them. The answer is to augment by pairing with a managed security service that can blend automation with seasoned analysts and global threat intelligence.

Mike Fry, Data and Security Solutions Director, Logicalis UKI

Managed security services: A path to resilience

To bridge the cyber skills gap, many organisations are turning to managed security services. Nearly half (48%) are convinced of the benefits, citing:

  • Peace of mind: Automated, rapid responses to incidents and compliance requirements.
  • Flexible cost: Greater cost efficiency and budget flexibility, especially when scaling services.
  • Access to talent: Immediate access to scalable teams with a breadth of security expertise.

Managed security services give organisations of every size enterprise-grade protection without the overheads. With scalable access to specialist skills, and automation that shorten dwell time, combined with 24x7 monitoring and availability, security services like Logicalis SOC allows organisations a consolidated approach without barriers.

Artur Martins, CISO, Logicalis Portugal

Moving forwards securely

The cyber skills gap is a growth threat, but it’s not insurmountable. By embracing managed security services, organisations gain instant access to expert talent 24 x 7 monitoring, and advanced automation – delivering resilience and peace of mind that in-house teams alone can rarely achieve. This partnership empowers businesses of all sizes to stay ahead of evolving threats, protect critical assets, and focus on growth with confidence.

*IDC cyber skills infographic, sponsored by Logicalis: From shortage to strength: fixing the cyber skills gap, December 2025.

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