Ajay Hayre, Principal Consultant, Cybersecurity at recruitment consultancy Robert Walters, gives his expert view on new figures showing growth in demand for IT security talent
New data shared by recruitment consultancy Robert Walters and data publisher Vacancysoft reveals that organisations across the UK are stepping up efforts to keep their IT operations secure. We look at what the data shows and then here Ajay’s expert analysis.
Photo by Joshua Woroniecki / Unsplash
What does the data reveal?
Between January and September 2025, fixed-term IT security contracts increased by 22% compared to the previous year. There were notable spikes, with a 35% increase in June and 40% September.
Of course, cyber security has been much in the news; we’re reported on some high-profile cyber attacks such as those on well-known retailers Co-Op, Harrods and Marks & Spencer in April and May. Production lines at Jaguar Land Rover still fact disruption after an attack in August.
Just this week, the National Cyber-Security Centre (NCSC) warned companies should ensure that they should plan for potential attacks – and have copies of those plans on paper so they can’t be lost to an IT outage.
According to the new data, every month of 2025 has seen an increase in opportunities for jobs in IT and cyber security. Some roles are in more particular demand. Vacancies for security specialist roles have risen by 66% since January-September 2024, with a rise in demand for security architects over the same period of 38%. Vacancies for IT security analysts have increased by 33%.
There are also interesting differences between sectors of industry. Some of the biggest year-on-year increases have been seen in professional services (63%), fintech (52%) and consumer goods and services (38%). Technology, telecoms and media – one of the largest employers of this security talent – had seen an increase of 35%.
Within the public and not-For-profit sectors, the rise has been 21%. And there has been a small decline of some –6% in financial services.
Expert analysis and opinion
Ajay Hayre, Principal Consultant, Cybersecurity at Robert Walters says: ‘In 2025, cyber attacks have surged in both frequency and sophistication, with targets ranging from high-street retailers to top automotive manufacturers. While many UK employers are currently diluting hiring plans to recoup rising business costs, temporary cybersecurity professionals offer a flexible solution for organisations looking to bolster their defences, without making permanent headcount additions.
‘Cyberattacks not only put company and client data at risk but can lead to millions in lost profits. If staff aren’t trained to spot vulnerabilities or risk – they won’t see them, which means protection will be limited.
‘Foresight is everything here. Having a proactive hiring plan for temporary cybersecurity talent is a key preventative measure businesses can take before threats happen. By onboarding the right people early, they can avoid getting caught in bidding wars for top talent when significant attacks unfold.
‘Recent cyberattacks continue to be major drivers of demand within professional services and consumer goods. Whereas swelling vacancies within Fintech speak to the crucial role cybersecurity professionals play in making the future of financial digital innovation secure.
‘Employers are looking for individuals who can help fortify their organisation’s overall security posture. This means professionals who can strengthen internal security infrastructures, detect and respond to threats and ensure compliance with training and procedures.
‘Many companies are witnessing cyberattacks happening in real-time and acting too late – while understaffing, stagnant budgets and a high-stress atmosphere of increasing threat can mean that crucial signs of risk are missed.
‘Making the right temporary hires early doors can help organisations stay on budget while reinforcing their protections to ensure they don’t fall prey to opportunist attacks.’
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