Will AI replace cyber security professionals? Live data
Cyber security professionals have very high measured AI exposure: Claude usage data covers about 49% of the tasks in this job that AI could in theory speed up. UK adverts are +17.1% year on year, and US postings in Indeed's IT Infrastructure, Operations & Support category are +3.5%. Our ledger links 2 AI-attributed layoff events to related roles.
How exposed is this job to AI?
The score is Anthropic's observed exposure for US occupation Information Security Analysts (SOC 15-1212). It takes the tasks that a language model could theoretically speed up and measures how many are actually showing up in real work-related Claude usage, with fully automated use counting more than assistance.
Dashed line = top third. This occupation is in the top third (used in our ledger rubric, grade B). Ranked #12 of 756.
What the job involves
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
O*NET 31.0 description for Information Security Analysts. 11 of 11 tasks have a task-level score.
Tasks where AI use is most visible
- Monitor use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files. 97% coverage
- Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status. 96% coverage
- Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures. 95% coverage
- Coordinate implementation of computer system plan with establishment personnel and outside vendors. 88% coverage
- Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests. 83% coverage
Core tasks with no observed AI use
- Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
- Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
- Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.
UK hiring: online job adverts
Monthly new online job adverts for UK SOC 2020 2135 Cyber security professionals. Year-on-year change compares the last six months with the same months a year earlier, using only months published in both years.
Source: ONS, Online job advert estimates (Textkernel), published 22 October 2026, OGL v3.0. Gaps are suppressed cells. Official statistics in development: Oct 2025-Feb 2026 and Jun-Sep 2026 partly imputed; March 2026 suppressed; Textkernel taxonomy updates cause step changes, so compare recent years with care.
Live postings: UK and US (Indeed)
Indeed's IT Infrastructure, Operations & Support category index (covers more than this occupation).
Source: Indeed Hiring Lab job postings by sector, seasonally adjusted, 7-day average, to 16 Oct 2026. CC BY 4.0.
AI-attributed layoffs affecting related roles
| Date | Company | Roles cut | AI claim | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2026 | F-Secure | ~145 | CMixed | The official release puts AI front and centre, but alongside an explicit profitability and savings target; the roles aren't itemised. Details |
| 3 Sep 2026 | Zscaler | Undisclosed | DWeak | AI is where the money is going, not what replaces the roles; the link is vague and the roles are unspecified. Details |
Links between events and occupations are our editorial mapping, not company-stated.
What to do if you're one of the cyber security professionals
- Lean into the work AI isn't doing. In the usage data, core tasks such as "Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs" show no observed AI use. Building depth there is the most defensible part of the role.
- Get fluent with AI on the tasks it's already touching. The highest-coverage task here is "Monitor use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files". People who can check, direct and sign off AI output on tasks like this are likely to be more valuable than those competing with it.
- Watch hiring, not headlines. UK adverts for this role are up on a year ago. all UK adverts are -3.4% on the same basis (dashboard). A fall that matches the whole market is a cycle, not an AI story.
- Check the claims. When a company says AI replaced jobs, look at its grade in our ledger - many announcements are mixed or AI-washed.
Data mapping for this page
| US occupation (exposure, tasks) | 15-1212 Information Security Analysts |
|---|---|
| UK SOC 2020 (ONS adverts) | 2135 Cyber security professionals |
| Indeed category | IT Infrastructure, Operations & Support |
| Mapping confidence | high US 'Information Security Analysts' to UK 2135 'Cyber security professionals'. |
The US SOC → UK SOC 2020 crosswalk is a documented best-effort editorial mapping; see methodology.
Related occupations
- Software engineer29%
- Computer programmer75%
- Web developer48%
- Software tester52%
- Data scientist / analyst46%
- IT support technician47%