Cybersecurity has become the most sought-after technical specialism in the UK technology job market, according to new research from Robert Half, with employers citing it as both a leading hiring priority and a major driver of salary inflation. The talent solutions company said 48% of technology leaders now identify cybersecurity as the top technical skill they are looking for in 2026, while 44% are paying premium salaries to attract the right people.
The findings point to a labour market under sustained pressure. Robert Half said 44% of companies plan to recruit for cybersecurity and IT security roles within the next six months, putting security ahead of other technical specialities. The research links that demand to a combination of intensifying cyber incidents, growing regulatory pressure, and a shortage of qualified professionals. In effect, organisations are having to compete harder for workers who can protect data, systems, and operations in an environment where cyber risk has become central to business continuity.
The pressure is also showing up in pay. Robert Half said 44% of employers report that cybersecurity skills are a primary reason for salary increases within IT teams. The company said this aligns with wider global trends, citing World Economic Forum estimates of a worldwide shortage of more than four million cybersecurity professionals. Craig Freedberg, Regional Director at Robert Half, said: “Cybersecurity has become mission-critical for every business, but the demand for skilled professionals has grown far faster than the available talent pipeline. While employers are increasingly turning to premium salaries to compete, pay alone is not a sustainable long-term solution.”
Robert Half’s own job-posting data suggests the hiring cycle is still moving upward. Its proprietary database shows more than 6,000 new security roles were advertised across the UK in the past year, representing a 14% increase on the previous year. Demand was strongest for Information Security Analysts, with more than 3,100 new vacancies and a 29% year-on-year rise. Information Security Manager roles also remained active, with more than 1,300 postings, up 8% year on year. The concentration of hiring in those roles suggests employers are looking both for frontline technical capability and for stronger governance and oversight.
Geographically, London led hiring with more than 2,200 new roles, followed by Manchester at around 450, with Bristol and Birmingham each at around 350. That spread underlines that cybersecurity demand is no longer limited to one market or one type of employer. Financial services, public bodies, large enterprises, and digitally intensive mid-market businesses all need specialist security capability, and competition is extending across regional markets as well as the capital.
Freedberg said employers will need to look beyond pay if they want to build a more sustainable talent pipeline. “To attract and retain cybersecurity specialists, businesses need to focus on comprehensive, value-rich employment packages that go beyond compensation, including career development, continuous training, meaningful work and flexible working options,” he said.
He added that structured professional development is especially valued when salary increases are not available. For employers, that shifts the issue from short-term recruitment alone to longer-term workforce strategy — how to grow, retain, and continuously update security capability as threats and compliance demands evolve.
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