AI has introduced both apprehension and opportunity for cybersecurity professionals. The automation of more labor-intensive cybersecurity tasks, such as basic threat detection, event log analysis and vulnerability scanning, has helped security professionals become more efficient and productive. Simultaneously, it has also led to a reduced demand for entry-level positions for those without AI experience and a redistribution of responsibilities.
3 AI-Driven Cybersecurity Roles to Know
- Junior SOC analyst
- AI researcher
- Senior security analyst
As the cybersecurity landscape evolves with AI, professionals must consider acquiring new skills to keep up with the rapid pace of change and remain competitive.
How AI Is Shifting the Cybersecurity Jobs Landscape
There is still an outstanding and significant shortage of candidates for cybersecurity positions nationwide. There are currently 514,359 job postings for cybersecurity positions, according to Cyberseek.org. However, the supply/demand ratio for the current job openings based on skill requirements has changed in recent years. There’s an oversaturation of entry-level candidates but a shortage of mid to senior-level professionals with AI expertise. Critical skills in cloud security, AI security and advanced threat detection remain scarce.
AI is inevitably transforming cybersecurity operations (SecOps), enabling faster threat detection and analysis. While AI automates routine tasks, it also creates a demand for professionals with the experience and skills to manage AI systems, interpret complex data, and make strategic decisions. AI has made processes like alert prioritization, log analysis, vulnerability scanning and basic incident response more efficient. These tasks have traditionally formed the core responsibilities of entry-level and Tier 1 Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts. Gartner estimates that by 2028, 50 percent of SOC Level 1 Analysts’ responsibilities will be replaced by AI.
At the same time, implementing AI in the security operations (SecOps) environment is creating exciting new job opportunities for professionals with the right skills in areas such as AI security engineering, AI governance and AI threat analysis. Three in-demand roles are increasingly critical to strengthening security operations in an AI-first world.
3 AI-Driven Cybersecurity Roles in High Demand
These are the three AI-driven cybersecurity roles that are in high demand, and the skills needed to land one of these jobs:
1. Junior SOC Analyst
Junior SecOps analysts are highly valuable tech hires because they can quickly learn and adapt to new technologies like AI. They can also quickly uplevel their knowledge by working with AI-assisted tools that explain and add context to their findings.
The qualifications for this position likely include:
- One-to-three years of experience; Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field.
- Monitors security systems and analyzes potential threats.
- Responds to and documents security incidents.
- Collaborates with team members to enhance security measures.
2. AI Researcher
This new role will become one of the hottest cybersecurity hires in 2025. Because AI researchers can study malicious actors’ use of AI in hacking campaigns, analyze AI effectiveness within the tech stack and develop internal policies on AI usage, they will be in high demand everywhere. But their skills will be hard to find.
Qualifications for an AI researcher role include:
- Three-to-five years of experience; a master’s or PhD in computer science, data science, information technology, or a related field.
- Conducts innovative research on AI algorithms and models.
- Stays abreast of the latest advancements in AI and malicious actors’ use of AI in hacking.
- Publish findings in reputable journals and present at conferences.
3. Senior Security Analyst
This role is always in demand, but this year, expect to see the senior security analyst position more focused on evaluating AI security tools and their role in the security operations center. While many companies are successfully introducing AI to their security products and platforms, they still need human intuition and decision-making capabilities to make the final call. Senior security analysts will always be critical human anchors in this process for many organizations.
The qualifications for this position include:
- Three-to-six years of experience; a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related discipline.
- Leads the identification and analysis of complex security threats.
- Develops incident response strategies and conducts threat hunting.
- Collaborates with other departments.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of AI-assisted security tools and provide feedback to improve the tools.
Investing in Your AI Skills for Tomorrow’s Hot Jobs
Ultimately, AI is transforming the key roles in cybersecurity, not replacing the people who drive it. Cybersecurity professionals who embrace AI, acquire new skills, and focus on areas where human expertise remains critical, such as strategic thinking, more nuanced ethical considerations and complex problem-solving, will be well-positioned to thrive in this evolving SecOps landscape.
For cybersecurity professionals who want to stay competitive, it’s time to invest in your AI skills. In this current job market, your job may not be taken by AI, but the demands of your role will change to accommodate the context of an evolving security program. Closing those AI skill gaps today will help you land that attractive job tomorrow.
The good news is that with the number of open-source tools, active online AI communities and freely available training content, it’s easier than ever to upskill. The future of cybersecurity will rely on synergy between human intelligence and AI.
