Talent and operational trends every cybersecurity firm should know about 

Cyber threats are increasing, and talent is in short supply. Here’s what can help you stay ready for what’s next. 

Key takeaways 

• Cybersecurity firms are growing fast and facing intense pressure to grow even faster. As a result, they’re turning to strategic professional services partners like Highspring for tailored solutions such as executive search to fill leadership roles and quick access to specialized talent. 

• Mid-market cybersecurity firms are facing shrinking talent pools, technical debt, and increased cyber threats that hinder growth opportunities. 

• Automating threat detection, compliance, and incident response helps maximize team capacity and support long-term scalability. 

The cybersecurity industry is facing a perfect storm of challenges that are reshaping how organizations approach talent and operations. Firms are growing fast—and under intense pressure to grow even faster—while artificial intelligence (AI)-driven threats increase and technical debt mounts. For many mid-market cybersecurity firms, it’s becoming clear: traditional approaches to growth and protection simply aren’t enough anymore.  

A shrinking talent pool and rising cyber threats 

The talent shortage is especially severe in cybersecurity firms, where demand for specialized skills continues to outpace supply. In fact, the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity 2025 Outlook found that 59% of chief information security officers (CISOs) acknowledge their organizations lack the skilled talent needed to defend against AI-powered cybersecurity threats and support AI-enabled defenses.  

The numbers paint a stark picture of today’s cybersecurity landscape. According to TechNews, 75% of security professionals say AI-driven attacks are on the rise, including deepfakes, automated phishing campaigns, and malicious bots that adapt faster, making it more difficult for traditional defense mechanisms to keep up. 

Adding to the pressure, 91% of chief technology officers (CTOs) cited technical debt as their biggest obstacle heading into 2024, according to research from STX Next. That burden—combined with the growing need for next-gen cybersecurity tools—creates a complex environment that demands both strategic oversight and technical expertise. 

Talent strategies that support rapid growth and operational agility 

As mid-market cybersecurity firms enter periods of significant growth, filling critical roles quickly—and strategically—becomes a make-or-break challenge. Success depends on more than job postings and long hiring timelines. It requires targeted strategies to access executive leadership and technical talent fast. These strategies help growing firms build the right mix of internal capabilities, external expertise, and operational flexibility. 

Outsourcing with strategic partners 

Mid-market cybersecurity organizations are increasingly turning to strategic professional services partners like Highspring—whether for executive search to fill leadership gaps or quick access to specialized talent—for tailored solutions. While outsourcing carries its own cybersecurity risks, it offers immediate expertise that might otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable. These partnerships often extend beyond traditional cybersecurity roles to fill talent gaps across finance and accounting, operations, and trust and safety functions. To make the most of them, firms should prioritize: 

• Rigorous vendor assessments that evaluate both technical capabilities and security postures 

• Clear contractual frameworks defining security responsibilities and compliance requirements 

• Continuous monitoring and auditing to ensure evolving security standards are met 

Blending full-time employees with flexible talent models 

To stay agile, cybersecurity firms are embracing hybrid workforce models that go beyond in-office vs. remote distinctions. These models combine full-time employees with contract specialists or consultants—allowing organizations to keep core security functions in-house while drawing on specialized expertise as needed, with support from a partner like Vaco by Highspring. 

Offering accelerated training and development programs 

Forward-thinking organizations are investing heavily in training internal IT professionals to move into cybersecurity roles. These programs focus on building practical skills in threat detection, incident response, and security architecture, helping teams grow from within while closing critical talent gaps. 

In-demand cybersecurity roles  

As cyber threats continue to become increasingly advanced and the talent pool tightens, certain roles have become especially important. Mid-market firms are focusing their hiring strategies on positions that blend technical expertise with the ability to respond quickly to emerging threats. Here are some of the roles cybersecurity firms are prioritizing most. 

Chief information security officers

Cybersecurity information security officers (CISOs) set the strategic vision for protecting an organization’s digital assets. They’re responsible for aligning cybersecurity initiatives with business goals, building and leading security teams, and communicating risk to the board. In today’s landscape, mid-market firms increasingly rely on these leaders to navigate complex regulatory requirements, guide incident response, and foster a culture of security across the enterprise. Their blend of technical insight and executive acumen makes them indispensable as firms scale. 

Chief financial officers 

Cybersecurity firms need chief financial officers (CFOs) and growth leaders that can establish predictable cost structures during unpredictable growth cycles. Leaders that understand how to reduce internal IT overhead to manage costs while scaling are vital. As cybersecurity companies continue to rapidly scale, outsourcing non-core functions like finance and accounting can keep internal teams focused on core capabilities and the highest value tasks. 

Cybersecurity engineers 

Cybersecurity engineers play a crucial role in building and defending an organization’s IT infrastructure. They design secure systems from the ground up, define and enforce security protocols, and actively hunt for vulnerabilities through penetration testing. When threats emerge, they’re the first line of defense—responding to incidents, coordinating with outside teams, and helping the business recover quickly. It’s a highly technical role that demands strong communication skills, especially when translating complex risks into actionable strategies for business leaders. 

Infosec analyst/cybersecurity analyst 

Cybersecurity analysts monitor an organization’s security systems, using specialized tools to spot unusual activity and potential threats before they become problems. Their work ranges from monitoring network behavior and managing access controls to performing vulnerability scans and recommending updates to strengthen defenses. 

Network security architect 

Network security architects design and strengthen an organization’s network defenses while keeping systems efficient and reliable. They translate business goals into secure, practical systems and set policies that guide both users and administrators on best practices. Balancing technical expertise with budget and operational realities, they manage everything from configuring firewalls and antivirus tools to leading penetration tests and incident responses. 

Security software developer 

Security software developers combine strong programming skills with deep cybersecurity knowledge to build secure software. They anticipate future risks and design code to protect against evolving threats—making sure security doesn’t come at the expense of speed or user experience. With rising demand in areas like IoT and emerging tech, security software developers are critical to creating resilient products in today’s threat landscape. 

Penetration tester/ethical hacker 

Penetration testers, often called ethical hackers, think like cybercriminals to find weak spots before bad actors do. They simulate attacks on networks, devices, and applications to uncover vulnerabilities and recommend fixes that strengthen the firm’s security. 

Common barriers to growth—and how to address them 

Many mid-market cybersecurity firms are working through legacy tech debt, talent constraints, and operational challenges. Here’s how you can address those issues while simultaneously prioritizing new growth opportunities. 

• Strategically manage your technical debt by prioritizing incremental upgrades to critical legacy systems, minimizing disruptions, and accelerating cloud migration strategies that reduce overhead maintenance costs. 

• Proactively retain your top talent by offering competitive pay, flexible work options, clear career paths, and continuous learning opportunities that keep them engaged. 

• Maximize operational efficiency through automation by implementing AI-driven threat detection, streamlining incident response workflows, and deploying compliance reporting tools that expand team capacity without compromising security quality. 

• Outsource critical business functions to stay focused on growth by leveraging finance and accounting business process outsourcing (BPO) or managed services to reduce overhead, gain operational agility, and redirect internal resources toward core security initiatives and innovation. 

Operational priorities to stay competitive 

To stay ahead in an evolving environment, mid-market firms need to prioritize building agility into operations, modernizing technology, and strengthening their risk management. These focus areas drive resilience, improve efficiency, and help attract and retain top talent. 

Building operational agility  

Highspring’s Agility Index Report found that 56% of organizations can’t shift their teams to a new initiative within three weeks. Operational agility empowers your team to pivot quickly as threats and business priorities change. By focusing on creating flexible processes, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and adopting scalable tools, your firm will be able to respond rapidly to new threats without disrupting service or risking client trust. 

Modernizing cybersecurity technology 

Firms that prioritize technology investments supporting their infrastructure can scale more easily alongside business growth. Key investments include: 

• Cloud-native security platforms that provide flexibility and scalability 

• AI-enhanced threat detection systems that identify and respond to threats faster than human analysts 

• Automated compliance and reporting tools that reduce administrative burden 

Strengthening risk management 

Organizations build comprehensive risk management frameworks to tackle internal and external threats head-on. This includes regular risk assessments, maintaining continuous monitoring, and proactively hunting threats to reduce vulnerabilities and stay ahead of evolving risks. 

Turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s wins 

Cybersecurity firms can’t afford to rely on outdated playbooks. The pressure to scale quickly—without sacrificing quality, control, or security—is only intensifying. From technical debt to talent shortages, the challenges are real. But so are the opportunities. Whether you’re modernizing systems, scaling your team, or simply trying to stay ahead of rising threats, the right partner can make all the difference. 

Highspring helps mid-market cybersecurity firms solve complex workforce and operational challenges—quickly and strategically. Contact us today for customized solutions that will guide your firm forward with confidence.