AI is Revolutionizing Cybersecurity Careers: What You Need to Know Now

This October, as we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we're diving deep into a topic that's on everyone's mind: the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on careers, particularly in cybersecurity. In our latest edition of "Find Yourself in the Future," I was joined by two incredible experts: Giuseppe Cinque, Principal Architect at Learn with Cisco, and Matt Berndt, Head of Indeed's Job Search Academy.

Before we explore their fascinating insights, I want to share a direct, actionable resource for anyone looking to enter or advance in cybersecurity: Indeed, in partnership with Cisco Networking Academy, has created a curated job board specifically for NetAcad students and alumni, featuring jobs in cybersecurity, networking, IT, and more to help you cut through the noise and find relevant opportunities. It's a fantastic starting point for your job search journey!

If you haven't yet, I highly encourage you to watch the full video. Their insights were genuinely inspiring, and there's so much more detail and nuance in our conversation! For now, I'd like to share with you some of the key takeaways that resonated with me.

AI: From sidekick to strategic cybersecurity partner

Giuseppe Cinque kicked us off by reminding us that AI isn't new; it's been a silent workhorse in cybersecurity for decades (think spam filters). However, the emergence of Generative AI and, more recently, Agentic AI, is a game-changer. Generative AI acts like a powerful "sidekick," accelerating tasks like report writing and data analysis for cybersecurity analysts. Even more fascinating is Agentic AI, which can take a goal, reason, plan, execute tasks, and adapt independently – becoming a valuable partner for automation in threat detection, triage, and response.

According to a recent study published by the AI Workforce Consortium—a private sector collaboration that includes Cisco and other industry leaders—AI skills are now pervasive in tech jobs. Seventy-eight percent of the job roles analyzed include AI skills, highlighting a shift in role requirements.

AI skills for aspiring cybersecurity professionals

As Giuseppe explained, AI will automate routine tasks, freeing up cybersecurity professionals to focus on more strategic, complex challenges. The human element, overseeing and guiding AI, remains crucial.

So, what does this mean for aspiring cybersecurity professionals? Expect to embrace a new set of skills:

• Data and coding: AI thrives on data, so understanding data quality and having coding skills (like Python) is paramount. AI can augment your coding abilities – but it's important to have these foundational skills.
• Prompt engineering: Learning how to steer and guide AI systems by providing the right contextual information to get optimal results.
• Generative AI literacy: Understanding not just how AI works, but its principles, limitations, and potential for errors and hallucinations is vital.
• Agentic technologies: For those ready to dive deeper, exploring technologies like Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and Model Context Protocol (MCP) will be key.

Giuseppe also highlighted that engagement with AI isn't one-size-fits-all. Entry-level roles will focus on using AI (data skills, prompt engineering). Mid-career professionals will build AI systems and senior leaders will focus on governance, strategy, and ethics.

Navigating the AI-powered job market: Indeed's perspective

In the second part of our session, Matt Berndt from Indeed discussed how AI is not only transforming job roles but also the way candidates must approach the job market. Matt confirmed that employers are increasingly adopting a skills-first approach in their job descriptions. This means they're not just listing job titles, but explicitly detailing the skills needed and the problems they want solved.

He shared lots of great tips for job seekers. Here are a few highlights:

• Show, don't just tell: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide concrete examples from class projects, bootcamps, internships, or other hands-on experiences. Don't just say you have skills. Show how you've applied them to achieve results.
• Professional skills are important: In addition to technical skills, Matt stressed the enduring importance of interpersonal skills. From communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to how you show up in person and online—employers want these skills, too.
• Using AI for your job search: New AI-powered tools, like Indeed's Career Scout (an AI-driven personal career coach), are great resources to check out. General AI chatbots can help you generate first drafts of resumes and cover letters, although here's the crucial caveat: always reality-test and personalize them. Your unique voice and experiences are what truly stand out.

For those feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of change, Matt offered profound yet straightforward advice: Break down your job search into weekly, achievable goals, and celebrate small victories. And importantly, find ways to connect with the community and build relationships, such as in-person conferences, events, or virtual communities like the Cisco Learning Network.

My personal takeaway

Cybersecurity remains a crucial field. We need people like you to help tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. My conversations with Giuseppe and Matt underscored that the future of work is about embracing continuous learning, developing new skills, and leveraging powerful tools responsibly.

I learned so much, and I hope you will, too! Don't miss out on the full discussion—watch the full video below and share your thoughts in the comments.

Sign up for Cisco U. | Join the Cisco Learning Network today for free.

Learn with Cisco

X | Threads | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Use #CiscoU and #CiscoCert to join the conversation.