5 IT and security recruiting trends to watch this year

This article originally appeared on the Stratosphere Networks website

With 2025 barely underway, the future remains volatile and uncertain. However, it’s safe to say that businesses of all sizes and across industries will still prioritize IT to stay ahead of the competition and meet consumers’ evolving expectations.

Sixty-four percent of organizations plan on increasing their IT budgets this year, and we can expect to see a 9 percent rise in total information technology spending year-over-year, according to the 2025 State of IT report from Spiceworks. On top of that, 43 percent of businesses surveyed say they will expand their IT staff.

Still, enduring and worsening skills shortages, rapidly evolving technologies and relentless cyberattacks will present challenges. If you’re an IT or business leader contemplating what the months ahead have in store for the industry, here are some security and IT recruiting trends to watch this year.

1. Demand for artificial intelligence proficiency will remain high.

The popularity and prevalence of AI solutions will have a significant impact on hiring requirements. Just over half (55 percent) of tech leaders are seeking candidates with specific skills because of advancements related to artificial intelligence and automation, according to the 2025 Technology Salaries and Hiring Trends Guide from Robert Half.

AI proficiency is the most wanted skill for IT teams. The guide states that other highly sought-after areas of expertise include cloud, cybersecurity, migrations, and application and database development.

2. Emerging technology will lead to the rise of new roles.

The adoption of generative AI and other emerging tech will necessitate the creation of new roles within IT teams. Examples include machine learning engineer, AI product manager and AI ethicist, according to Robert Half.

3. Businesses seeking IT talent will still face challenges related to skill shortages.

The rapid evolution of technology has led to a shortfall of professionals with high levels of expertise in areas like AI. Fifty-seven percent of senior tech leaders say finding the IT talent they need is difficult because of proficiency gaps, according to Spiceworks. Robert Half reports that 56 percent of technology managers will relax experience requirements in 2025 to streamline hiring in the face of intense competition for candidates with sought-after skills related to emerging technology.

4. Organizations recruiting cybersecurity professionals will continue to grapple with a talent shortage.

The IT security arms race continues, with both sides wielding emerging tech like generative AI. When faced with AI-powered phishing attempts and ransomware attacks, it only makes sense to fight back with the latest AI-infused security tools.

However, businesses facing an endless barrage of cyberattacks must also contend with an enduring IT security skills shortage. The global cybersecurity workforce gap widened to 4.8 million in 2024, according to ISC2. We’ll probably see that number continue to rise in 2025.

5. Increasing solution complexity and cost – combined with the scarcity of available talent – will motivate businesses to outsource.

This will hold particularly true for small and midsize companies (SMBs) with limited resources. Organizations aspiring to keep up with new tech like AI and address IT and security talent shortfalls will increasingly turn to managed IT service providers that can compensate for internal skill and data gaps.

Many managed service providers (MSPs) have already developed AI models for their clients, and they can draw on that experience to assist small businesses with AI-related projects. On top of that, it’s common for MSPs today to also act as managed security service providers (MSSPs). Obtaining IT and cybersecurity services from the same source simplifies support, so we expect more SMBs to opt for this type of arrangement going forward.

Our trusted technology advisors would be happy to help if you want to explore your options for managed IT and cybersecurity services. With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, we can provide expert insights to streamline your search for the best tech products and services.

Start today by calling 877-599-3999 or emailing [email protected].

Correction notice:?A previous version of this blog stated in error that the global cybersecurity workforce shortfall was 5.5 million in 2024. That was the size of the cybersecurity workforce worldwide; the gap was 4.8 million.