When it comes to security, AI has become both a driving force and a source of concern for the safety of business networks.
Nearly half of IT decision-makers surveyed in Fortinet’s 2025 Security Skills Gap Report said their organizations lack staff with sufficient AI expertise—a significant obstacle to effectively using AI in cybersecurity.
The Double-Edged Sword of AI
Of 1,850 businesses surveyed worldwide, 97 percent say they are using or plan to use cybersecurity solutions that leverage AI. The study, conducted for Fortinet by Sapio Research, included responses from executives across 29 locations globally.
IT decision makers cite that their biggest challenge when implementing AI in cybersecurity is that 48 percent of staff lack sufficient AI expertise. The Fortinet survey also revealed a sobering reality: many respondents said directors or executives at their organizations have faced fines, loss of position, or even jail time following a cyberattack. For businesses, cybersecurity risk is no longer just professional—it’s personal for business leaders.
A Wider Gap, A Deeper Threat
Other key data points uncovered by Fortinet’s report:
- 86 percent of organizations experienced at least one cyberattack in 2024, with 28 percent suffering 5 or more breaches.
- The global cybersecurity workforce shortage exceeds 4.7 million professionals, according to a 2024 study by ISC2, creating critical vulnerabilities across organizations.
- Lack of security awareness (56 percent) and insufficient IT security skills and training (54 percent) remain the top causes of cybersecurity breaches.
Fortinet’s global report also found that nearly half of all leaders believe their boards lack full awareness of the risks associated with AI. As a result, more organizations are mandating training and certifications to build awareness, strengthen their security posture, and prepare for the AI-driven threat landscape ahead.
Fortinet Addresses The Cybersecurity Skills Gap
To address emerging trends and skills gaps, Fortinet has proactively developed a suite of technologies, solutions, and programs.
It has enhanced training and certification for its partners, ensuring that they can provide customers with assurance that they are up to speed with the technical know-how that keeps them ahead of the trends and threats;
Fortinet has designed its technologies and solutions with AI in mind, particularly in key areas such as threat detection, SD-WAN, and SASE, based on its pioneering strategy of converging cybersecurity and networks;
And it has continued to build and improve its Engage Partner Program to deliver real-time cybersecurity support to solution providers.
You can download the 2025 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report here.