Skip to main content Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming Tech Radar Pro TechRadar the business technology experts Search TechRadar View Profile België (Nederlands) Deutschland North America US (English) Australasia New Zealand Expert Insights Website builders Web hosting World Password Day Best website builder Best web hosting Best office chairs Expert Insights Recommended reading Most businesses can't fill cyber roles leaving huge gaps in defense Does AI leave security teams struggling? Why effective cybersecurity is a team effort The engineer's guide to staying ahead of cyber threats AI-powered cyber threats are becoming the biggest worry for businesses everywhere UK cybersecurity sector could be worth £13bn, research shows Rushed AI deployments and skills shortages are putting businesses at risk Demand for cybersecurity professionals surges with AI threat, cybersecurity and ethical hackers leading the pack Efosa Udinmwen 31 May 2025 Massive rise in cyberattacks forces UK retailers into a hiring frenzy When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Getty Images) Retailers risk millions if they fail to hire and train cybersecurity talent right now, report warns Cloud security engineers and SOC analysts are quietly becoming the backbone of digital defense Ethical hackers are no longer optional, they’re the frontline defense against today’s AI-driven threats Effective malware protection demands more than passive defense, especially as recent cyberattacks on major UK retailers such as Marks & Spencer have reignited concerns about the ongoing cybersecurity talent shortage, a persistent and unresolved challenge. New figures from recruitment platform Robert Walters claim these breaches are putting companies under pressure to hire and retain skilled cybersecurity professionals, particularly in areas like penetration testing and ethical hacking. "Retailers have heavily invested in recent years to hire professionals who can assess their system security and identify vulnerabilities. Penetration testing and ethical hacking are among the most sought-after skills today,” said Phill Brown, Global Head of Market Intelligence at Robert Walters You may like Most businesses can't fill cyber roles leaving huge gaps in defense Does AI leave security teams struggling? Why effective cybersecurity is a team effort AI-fueled cyber threats This spike in demand is occurring alongside a broader expansion of the cybersecurity sector, which is expected to grow at around 12% annually. Retailers and ecommerce firms account for 10% of current cybersecurity job vacancies, a figure that is likely to rise sharply. Brown warns that regardless of investments, “companies who neglect the hiring and upskilling of cybersecurity staff risk lost profits, damaged reputations, diminished consumer trust, and vulnerability to future security breaches.” Organisations are becoming increasingly aware that their current defensive posture may not be adequate, especially given the accelerating pace of threats driven by artificial intelligence. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Professionals who can secure cloud infrastructure, monitor threats in real-time, and proactively detect vulnerabilities have become critical. Cloud Security Engineers, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analysts, AI and Threat Intelligence Analysts, and Cyber Risk Specialists top the list. However, ethical hackers remain particularly valued, both for identifying weaknesses and stress-testing systems before actual attackers do. As the AI threat matures, these roles become more central. It's no longer sufficient to deploy the best antivirus or rely on the best endpoint protection platforms alone. Cybersecurity strategy must now include dynamic and continuous testing, backed by human insight, to keep pace with adversaries who are increasingly leveraging machine learning themselves. With around 17,000 live cybersecurity vacancies in the UK alone, and projected growth of 10–12% annually, the market faces a chronic shortfall. The surge in demand is outpacing supply, and unless upskilling efforts accelerate, the workforce will struggle to meet the rising threats. You might also like These are the best AI website builders around UK businesses say that fear of missing out is driving AI adoption TikTok fans beware - experts warn dangerous malware spread by AI fake videos Efosa Udinmwen Freelance Journalist Efosa has been writing about technology for over 7 years, initially driven by curiosity but now fueled by a strong passion for the field. He holds both a Master's and a PhD in sciences, which provided him with a solid foundation in analytical thinking. Efosa developed a keen interest in technology policy, specifically exploring the intersection of privacy, security, and politics. His research delves into how technological advancements influence regulatory frameworks and societal norms, particularly concerning data protection and cybersecurity. Upon joining TechRadar Pro, in addition to privacy and technology policy, he is also focused on B2B security products. Efosa can be contacted at this email: udinmwenefosa@gmail.com You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Most businesses can't fill cyber roles leaving huge gaps in defense Does AI leave security teams struggling? 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