IS CYBER-ANXIETY CRIPPLING UK BUSINESSES? RECORD INVESTMENT IS ON THE WAY, BUT WHERE IS THE TALENT?
- Cyber security is keeping more than half (56%) of Britain’s tech leaders awake at night
- Despite record cyber investment, talent shortages are putting UK organisations at risk
- 71% of UK employers require more cyber security talent
London (11.06.26): UK organisations are more concerned about cyber threats than any other market globally with more than half (56%) of UK CIOs, CTOs and CISOs ranking cyber security as their number one concern – the highest level recorded across all 12 countries surveyed in the latest Experis CIO report. This anxiety is felt beyond the boardroom, with 37% of UK IT leaders (Director/Partner level) also citing cyber security as their top worry, pointing to a risk environment that is deeply embedded across organisations.
Rhona Carmichael, Managing Director, Experis UK, said: “Cyber risk is no longer hypothetical – it has become a very real threat for UK businesses. Recent high-profile incidents have shown just how quickly an attack can move beyond IT systems into the heart of operations – affecting services, supply chains and customers almost instantly, often with prolonged recovery periods. That has changed the conversation. It’s no longer about ‘if’; meaning cyber security has shifted from a technical priority to a core business need.
Despite 84% of UK organisations stating that they plan to commit more budget to address this issue – making it the single largest area of IT spend – many are struggling to access the talent needed to deliver on their plans. Cyber security is the most in-demand skill identified in the report, with 71% of UK employers saying significantly more cyber talent will be required over the next 12–24 months.
Rhona continues: “Investment alone is not enough. Without the right talent in place, even well-funded strategies can fall short. The real differentiator over the next few years will be whether organisations can build the skilled teams needed to turn that investment into genuine resilience.”
The challenge in finding skilled talent is being compounded by broader shifts in the market. UK employers are contending with longer hiring cycles, fewer qualified applicants and a slowdown in global talent inflows – particularly in highly specialised areas such as cyber security, AI and advanced engineering. Regional tech hubs are also feeling the strain, with sharper declines in available talent outside London. Together, these trends are creating a more constrained and competitive hiring landscape, making it harder for organisations to build the capability required to match rising cyber investment.
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