INTELLIGENT AI ADOPTION

New study reveals 30 % of cybersecurity professionals are already using AI tools, delivering insights into the early impact on team performance and hiring trends

SC2 – a leading nonprofit member organisation for

Adoption Pulse Survey to measure the adoption of AI security tools across cybersecurity teams. Based on insights from 436 global cybersecurity professionals employed by organisations of all sizes, the research assesses the impact of AI adoption on team effectiveness, entry-level jobs and cybersecurity hiring.

“ AI is reshaping how organisations operate and cybersecurity is no exception,” said ISC2 Chief Qualifications Officer Casey Marks.“ Our latest AI Survey shows cautious but growing interest in AI security tools, with adoption expected to accelerate in the future. Encouragingly, 44 % of professionals report no impact on hiring from current or expected adoption of AI security tools and 28 % see AI creating new opportunities for entry-level talent. Findings suggest that AI is helping cybersecurity professionals by automating repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus on more meaningful work.”

Adoption of AI security tools

According to the AI Pulse Survey, 30 % of cybersecurity professionals have already integrated AI security tools into their operations, defined in the survey as‘ AI-enabled security solutions, generative AI, and / or agentic AI for automatic action.’ Additionally, the majority( 42 %) are currently exploring or testing their adoption, indicating strong momentum toward future implementation. Among those who have already adopted AI security tools, 70 % report positive impacts on their team’ s overall effectiveness. with 37 % actively using them. This is closely followed by mid-tolarge( 2,500 – 9,999 employees) and smaller( 100 – 499 employees) organisations, each with 33 % adoption. In contrast, mid-sized( 500 – 2,499 employees) and the smallest( 1 – 99 employees) organisations show the lowest adoption rates, with only 20 % in each group actively using AI for security. Notably, the smallest organisations are also the most conservative, with 23 % reporting no plans to evaluate AI security tools.

Among industries adopting, evaluating or testing AI tools for their security operations, industrial enterprises( 38 %), IT services( 36 %), commercial / consumer sectors( 36 %) and professional services organisations( 34 %) are leading the way. In contrast, financial services and the public sector currently report the lowest adoption rates, at 21 % and 16 %, respectively.

However, some industries with the lowest current adoption rates are most likely to be considering AI tool integration in the future. Within both financial services and commercial / consumer sectors, 41 % of professionals reported actively evaluating these tools, while 36 % of those in the public sector indicated the same.

Impact on hiring and entry-level roles

A majority of respondents agree that AI security tools will affect hiring at the entry level in cybersecurity. More than half( 52 %) say AI will significantly or somewhat reduce the need for entry-level staff. However, 31 % expressed a more optimistic view, believing that AI will also create new types of entry – and junior-level roles or increase demand, helping to counter the decline elsewhere in early-career opportunities.

Top five areas where AI security tools will have the most positive impact on operations in the shortest amount of time:

• Network monitoring and intrusion detection: 60 %

• Endpoint protection and response: 56 %

• Vulnerability management: 50 %

• Threat modeling: 45 %

• Security testing: 43 %

The largest organisations, with over 10,000 employees, lead the adoption of AI tools as part of their cybersecurity operations,

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