Introduction
In an era where cyberattacks can cripple entire industries overnight, businesses can no longer afford to be reactive. And for many organizations, the proactive solution is to hire the right cybersecurity talent.
Cybersecurity incidents played a big role in the last year, with nearly six in ten businesses reporting moderate to severe harm to finances and productivity. Now, over half of all firms (a slight increase from 2023) are using either in-house cybersecurity professionals or other in-house IT professionals as part of their security strategy (CompTIA, 2025 State of Cybersecurity).
Our prediction: 2025 will see a surge in cybersecurity talent acquisition.
As cyber threats become more complex with the use of AI and other emerging technology, hiring cybersecurity experts is more imperative than ever. But businesses must ensure their cybersecurity recruitment strategies are sound before hiring just anyone with “cybersecurity” in their title.
So how can organizations stay ready for the future? With over 26 years of experience assisting companies with hiring IT security experts, PTP can guide hiring teams to find the top cybersecurity professionals in 2025, making the upcoming year the most secure yet.
Here is a list of the top cybersecurity roles to add to your organization in 2025.
1. Cyber Risk Analyst
The role: A cyber risk analyst identifies and assesses potential cybersecurity risks. To do so, they research the current threat landscape, stay in tune with emerging trends, and use their intel to strengthen the organization’s security network to prevent attacks. They may also take on the role of designing and training members of the organization on security best practices.
Why you should hire a cyber risk analyst: Hiring a cyber risk analyst is a great way to give your organization better peace of mind, as they can detect potential security pitfalls, allowing you and your team to focus on what you do best. Cyber risk analysts also know how to both stay on top of current cyber threats and predict how threats will evolve in the future.
[Learn more about the role of cybersecurity analysts in this edition of The PTP Report.]
2. Malware Analyst
The role: A malware analyst wears many hats. Described by Cybersecurity Guide as “part security engineer, part digital forensics expert, and part programmer,” this role is critical for determining how an incident took place and how to prevent a similar one in the future. Specifically, a malware analyst reverse-engineers malicious code, examining which tools and methods were used by the adversary so they can better protect the organization in the future.
Why you should hire a malware analyst: Because a malware analyst takes on a range of tasks that touch various elements of the cybersecurity framework—working alongside incident responders, threat hunters, and even compliance officers—a malware analyst with both technical proficiency and soft skills like communication and collaboration can be your organization’s cybersecurity superhero.
3. Cybersecurity Auditor
The role: A cybersecurity auditor evaluates and ensures compliance with cybersecurity policies and standards. They might examine firewalls for weaknesses or vulnerabilities, for example, and offer detailed reports on the system’s condition. Finally, they can also offer cost benefit analyses of an organization’s cybersecurity investments.
Why you should hire a cybersecurity auditor: Hiring a cybersecurity auditor helps organizations feel confident that their security measures are functioning correctly and worth the cost. They are also experienced in clearly communicating important information about the existing security systems and recommendations for improvements, helping non-technical team members understand these complex topics easily.
4. Penetration Tester
The role: A penetration tester is very similar to (and sometimes considered interchangeable with) an ethical hacker, both of which simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities. Essentially, their role is to think like the bad guy (a hacker) to beat them. Their responsibilities involve targeting traditional operating systems and devices, along with emerging technology, like Internet of Things (IoT) devices, mobile devices, and embedded systems.
Why you should hire a penetration tester: When fighting any battle, it’s always a good idea to have someone on your side who knows how the enemy thinks. With a penetration tester, organizations are equipped with this knowledge, along with someone who can make suggestions for security improvements.
5. SOC Manager
The role: The SOC Manager oversees the security operations team, reporting directly to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). In addition to assisting with hiring, training, and evaluating SOC staff, the SOC manager plays an integral role in tasks like assessing incident reports, developing crisis communication plans, and creating compliance reports.
Why you should hire an SOC Manager: Whether your organization has a talented and experienced SOC Manager can make or break your organization’s entire security operation. Executive leadership needs a point person for all cybersecurity measures to ensure a smooth, comprehensive process for developing and maintaining effective security measures for your whole organization and its stakeholders.
[Check in with the latest in cybersecurity news in our most recent Cybersecurity Roundup.]
6. Application Security Analyst
The role: An application security analyst assesses the security of applications and other software, making them essential for maintaining software quality, especially for distributed and networked applications. Using knowledge of application development, they take an active approach in preventing cyberattacks, constantly on the hunt for holes in code or other data where cybercrime can occur.
Why you should hire an application security analyst: Application security is crucial because apps integrate into an organization’s overall workflow. Hiring an application security analyst helps companies take a proactive, not reactive, approach to application security. Especially as companies take their data, code, and operations into the cloud, an application security analyst can reduce risks of attacks.
7. Cloud Security Specialist
The role: A cloud security specialist is responsible for anticipating and preventing threats to cloud security, implementing security controls and technologies, and assisting with incident response and recovery. Likely partnering with cloud engineers and architects, the cloud security specialist is an integral asset as cloud technology grows in popularity for its ability to prevent data loss.
Why you should hire a cloud security specialist: Whether your organization is a cloud security provider or an enterprise organization, you will want talent with expertise in the cloud. After all, the cloud is one of the fastest growing technology sectors, projected to grow from $43.74 billion in 2024 to $156.25 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.3% during the forecast period (Fortune Business Insights). And as AI plays an increasing role in cybersecurity, you will want a cloud security specialist who knows how to leverage AI’s capabilities to optimize security practices.
Why Attain Top Cybersecurity Talent Through a Recruiting Service
For companies looking to step up their cybersecurity but lacking the resources to hire and retain a dedicated in-house team, the best option might be a third-party recruiting service, whether a cybersecurity recruitment agency or IT recruiting firm with cybersecurity services.
According to CompTIA’s 2025 State of Cybersecurity report, roughly one-third of organizations are utilizing either specialized cybersecurity providers or firms that provide a variety of technology services.
Through IT staffing and consulting firms, organizations can enjoy benefits, such as:
- Current knowledge of cybersecurity roles in demand and the best cybersecurity skills for 2025
- Experienced recruiters who specialize in communicating with cybersecurity talent
- Scalable hiring solutions from large talent pools
- Hiring on demand from the firm’s existing talent pipeline
At PTP, we provide all these benefits and more. Hire onsite, remote, and nearshore cybersecurity engineers from our top-tier talent pool, with the help of specialized recruiters with decades of experience.
Conclusion
When choosing which cybersecurity professionals to add to your team in 2025, it’s important for organizations to consider their specific needs. While we recommend looking into filling the above roles, we understand every organization is different. The bottom line is companies cannot view cybersecurity as an afterthought, that is unless they want to risk their whole business.
As cyber threats evolve, so should your IT team. Stay armed for the future with help from PTP. Explore our premiere staffing services here.
References
CompTIA, State of Cybersecurity 2025
Fortune Business Insights, Cloud Security Market
Cybersecurity Guide, How to Become a Malware Analyst
