Nearly half of IT leaders face resistance in securing additional cybersecurity talent despite growing breach costs and AI-driven risks
Fortinet has released its 2026 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, highlighting growing concerns around cybersecurity hiring, AI-driven threats, and the widening gap between enterprise cyber risks and available talent.
The report, based on a survey of more than 2,750 IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 32 countries, found that organizations continue to struggle with cybersecurity staffing shortages even as cyberattacks become more frequent and costly.
According to the findings, 86% of organizations experienced at least one cybersecurity breach during the past 12 months, while 52% reported losses exceeding $1 million due to cyber incidents, compared to 38% in 2021.
“Cybersecurity is not simply a technical issue but a strategic business risk. More investment is needed to address emerging AI risks and the ongoing cybersecurity skills shortage,” said Carl Windsor.
Fortinet revealed that lack of cybersecurity skills remains one of the leading causes of security breaches, with 56% of IT leaders identifying talent shortages as a major challenge for the third consecutive year. More than half of respondents said they require senior-level cybersecurity expertise, yet 49% reported difficulty securing approval for additional cybersecurity hiring.
“Cybersecurity is not simply a technical issue but a strategic business risk,” said Carl Windsor. “Addressing issues such as AI risks and the cybersecurity skills shortage is critical to business resilience in an increasingly complex threat landscape.”
The report also highlighted growing concerns around enterprise AI adoption. Only 50% of respondents believed their boards fully understood the cybersecurity risks associated with employee use of AI tools, despite increasing enterprise dependence on generative AI technologies.
At the same time, organizations are increasingly turning to AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to strengthen defenses. Around 91% of respondents said they are already using or experimenting with AI-enabled security tools, while 84% stated these technologies are improving operational efficiency for security teams.
Fortinet noted that organizations are responding by investing more heavily in cybersecurity training and certifications. About 92% of respondents said they are willing to fund employee certifications, while many enterprises are launching reskilling initiatives focused on AI oversight, automation, and security operations.
Through the company said it remains committed to training one million cybersecurity professionals globally by the end of 2026.
