Will cybersecurity be replaced by AI?
Updated
Cybersecurity analysts score 60 of 100 for AI exposure. The largest share of their task time, 73%, is work AI speeds up while they stay in charge. AI can take over 18% outright, and 9% stays with people.
- 18% AI can do it
- 73% AI helps
- 9% Needs a person
High exposure
Higher than 91% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 11 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 2 of them today, speeds up 8 and leaves 1 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests. Drafting policies, procedures and test reports is highly suited to LLMs. | 75% AI can do it |
| Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status. AI can script access and config changes; reviewers approve before applying. | 62% AI can do it |
| Monitor use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files. AI can flag unusual file access in logs; people set access rules. | 58% AI helps |
| Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs. AI drafts data protection and contingency plans; a leader tailors and approves. | 55% AI helps |
| Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems. AI can summarize threat feeds; person decides when patches are needed. | 55% AI helps |
| Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures. Scanners and AI speed testing, while risk judgement and sign-off remain human. | 50% AI helps |
| Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers. Encryption and firewall work happens in tools; AI drafts rule sets. | 45% AI helps |
| Train users and promote security awareness to ensure system security and to improve server and network efficiency. AI can build training materials; delivering and engaging staff stays human. | 45% AI helps |
| Coordinate implementation of computer system plan with establishment personnel and outside vendors. AI can draft vendor emails, track tasks; coordination still needs people. | 40% AI helps |
| Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated. AI can analyze violation logs; discussion with violators needs human judgment. | 30% AI helps |
| Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes. Live discussions with users need people; AI only helps prep notes. | 18% Needs a person |
How cybersecurity analysts compare
All occupations (923)
Computer and mathematical (36)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $129,180 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 190,650 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +21.0% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Review AI-drafted security policies and test reports for accuracy
- Review Ansible playbooks for access and configuration changes
- Set file access rules and approve access status changes
- Sign off risk assessments and vulnerability test results
- Verify AWS CloudFormation templates for Amazon EC2 security settings
- Hold the CISSP certification from ISC2
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about cybersecurity analysts and AI
Will AI replace cyber security jobs?
Partly. About 5 in 10 of a cybersecurity analyst's working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly drafting security policies and test reports, and modifying access and configuration files. People still set access rules, approve changes before they go live, and decide when patches are needed.
Will AI take over cyber security?
AI can already do 18% of the task time in cyber security and speeds up another 73%. People still do 9% of it. The US has 190,650 cybersecurity analyst jobs, with a projected change of +21.0% from 2024 to 2034.
Which cybersecurity analyst tasks is AI taking over?
Drafting security policies, procedures, and test reports leads, with an exposure score of 75, since language models suit document writing. Modifying access and configuration files follows at 62, because AI can script the changes and reviewers approve them before they apply. Monitoring file access in logs scores 58, since AI flags unusual activity.
Which cybersecurity analyst tasks stay with people?
Talking with users about access needs and security violations stays with people, since live discussion needs a person in the room. Reviewing violations with the people who committed them also needs human judgment. Coordinating rollouts with staff and outside vendors still needs people to chase commitments and resolve conflicts.
How can cybersecurity analysts stay valuable?
Take responsibility for the review and sign-off on everything AI drafts. Check AI-written policies and test reports against your scanner results before they are filed. Review Ansible and AWS CloudFormation change scripts before they touch production. Lead user training and violation reviews in person, since that work stays human.
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