According to The New York Times, companies are actively hiring data protection and security engineers because AI-assisted coding is creating more vulnerabilities in software systems. The situation became even more urgent after Anthropic introduced its Mythos model, which demonstrated strong capabilities in detecting and exploiting bugs in critical infrastructure.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for information security analysts to grow by 29% over the next decade, with around 16,000 new openings each year.

Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora also confirmed the trend, noting that AI is not replacing engineers — it is increasing the need for them. According to him, the company added almost 1,000 employees in the first half of fiscal 2026.

At the same time, employers have become more selective. Candidates are now expected to understand both AI and cybersecurity. Salaries for top executives in the field have reached record levels of $7 million to $8 million per year.

The Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 report names the talent shortage as the main obstacle to digital resilience. Around 94% of respondents consider artificial intelligence a key factor that will transform the industry over the next year.

Despite automation taking over routine tasks, experts believe the value of professionals who can audit, secure, and manage AI systems will continue to rise. Meanwhile, entry-level software development jobs remain under pressure from neural networks.