Cybersecurity Is Starving for Talent In 2025, and That’s Great News If You’re A Mid-Careerist

Introduction

Let’s be honest. If you’re in your 30s or 40s, the job market right now feels a bit like musical chairs, and the music just sped up.

AI is "redefining" roles, automation is replacing tasks, and you’ve probably been told (again) to "upskill lor."

But here’s a plot twist: Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has a list of jobs it literally cannot fill fast enough. And guess what’s on it? Cybersecurity.

In fact, 39 different types of cybersecurity roles feature on the Shortage of Labour (SOL) list for 2025.

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Table of Content

Singapore is digitising rapidly, from e-payments to smart nation initiatives. But with this growth comes increased cyber threats. Just one high-profile breach can shake public trust or disrupt essential services.

According to CSA’s latest Cybersecurity Landscape report, the number of reported cybercrime cases rose by over 25% in 2023. This surge isn’t slowing down.

To combat this, organisations need people, not just policies. They need SOC Analysts, Incident Responders, and Threat Hunters—many of which don’t require a Computer Science degree or prior IT experience.

CFCI Graduate Case Study:
Kyle Lim, a former hawker, transitioned into a Security Operations Centre Analyst role after completing a hands-on course at CFCI. "They prepare you for what’s to come when you go out to work," he said. He had no certifications before starting.

This isn’t just a skills gap. It’s a skills canyon. Here's what’s going on:

1. Everyone's Gone Digital, But Forgot About Security

From banks to bubble tea chains, everything’s online. But while companies raced to build apps, websites, and cloud systems (and now AI), they forgot to hire enough people to protect them. Digital transformation without cyber defence is like building a luxury condo and forgetting to install security gates.

2. Hackers Don’t Sleep, But Security Teams Need To

Cyberattacks in Singapore are booming. In 2023 alone, phishing incidents rose by over 50%, with ransomware targeting SMEs and public services. As businesses shift more operations online, the "attack surface" gets bigger, but the cyber teams defending it remain the same size.

3. The Job Titles Are Intimidating

“Cybersecurity Operations Specialist” sounds like you need a PhD in computer science. You don’t. But this branding keeps curious professionals from even exploring. In reality, many roles focus on logical thinking, risk management, or investigative skills.

4. Not Enough Local Talent

Singapore’s universities produce tech grads, but not nearly enough to meet demand. Many go into software or finance. Meanwhile, mid-career professionals with transferrable skills are often overlooked, not because they can't do the work, but because they don’t know how to get started.

1. High & Growing Salaries

In Singapore, cybersecurity analysts & associates earn $4500 - $5500 per year on average. Mid-level cyber professionals can expect S$60,000–96,000 annually, while advanced roles reach up to S$300,000+. Of course, these numbers only reflect the average, with each unique individual having their own skills, strengths and circumstances that may result in a range of possible remunerations.

What this means for you: You should begin as early as possible even with limited experience, and command industry-leading pay as you grow.

2. Sky-High Demand, Low Supply

Globally, according to ISC2, the cybersecurity workforce stands at 5.5 million, but there's a gap of 4.8 million professionals, demand outstrips supply. In Singapore, around 4,000 cybersecurity roles are vacant, with 400–800 monthly openings on LinkedIn.

What this means for you: Companies are actively recruiting, often paying premium salaries, so your chances of getting hired quickly are strong.

3. Strong Career Growth

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that Information Security Analyst roles will grow by 33% from 2023 to 2033, compared with just 4% for all jobs. CompTIA forecasts cybersecurity employment growth 267% faster than overall tech employment. Revenue in the cybersecurity market globally continues to grow strongly (15.6% YoY) and is projected to reach $200 billion by 2028.

What this means for you: This isn't a fad. It's long-term, fast-paced growth in both job numbers and technological spending.

4. Critical Business Value

In 2023, the global average cost per data breach hit US$4.45 million, and in Singapore, the average cost of a cyber incident is S$1.7m. Violations of Singapore's PDPA and Cybersecurity Act can lead to fines of up to S$1 million or 10% of turnover.

What this means for you: You’re not just in IT, you’re protecting people, data, and billions in economic value.

5. Future-Proof Against Automation

While AI is transforming many fields, cybersecurity still heavily relies on human judgment, investigation, and crisis response. Machines struggle with real-time adversarial thinking and complex incident triage, tasks only humans can perform well. Additionally, contrary to popular belief, soft skills are crucial in cybersecurity. The ability to communicate and manage teams and stakeholders improve the overall resilience of organisations.

What this means for you: Cybersecurity roles are among the most resilient to automation and is a great hedge against job volatility.

7. Global & Local Ecosystem Support

Singapore backed over 30,000 cybersecurity jobs by 2025 and launched national programmes like CSA’s SG Cyber Talent development initiative. The SAF’s Digital & Intelligence Service and IMDA’s CSAT programme reflect deep government investment in cyber careers.

What this means for you: Beyond your job, there’s a robust ecosystem backing your professional growth, from government training schemes to national cyber defence projects.

There’s a whole buffet of cyber roles. Here’s the sampler platter:

🔍 SOC Analyst:
Think of this as the security guard in a control room. You monitor logs and alerts, investigate anomalies, and escalate threats. Perfect for detail-oriented thinkers who like structure.

💻 Penetration Tester:
Your job is to hack into systems (legally) to find vulnerabilities. It’s hands-on, technical, and perfect if you enjoy thinking like an attacker to improve defences.

🕵️ Incident Responder:
When something goes wrong, you’re the digital first responder. You assess, contain, and recover from breaches. It's fast-paced, high-impact, and ideal for calm problem-solvers.

📋 GRC Specialist:
Governance, Risk and Compliance is about aligning cybersecurity with business goals. You write policies, manage audits, and reduce organisational risk. A great path for those from finance, admin, or legal backgrounds.

🔐 Cyber Architect:
You design the overall security strategy of a system. This role suits experienced professionals who enjoy planning, strategy, and overseeing big-picture solutions.

🧬 Digital Forensics Analyst:
You investigate digital evidence post-breach. It's like CSI, but for data. Great for meticulous, analytical minds who enjoy piecing together what happened.

Cybersecurity actually prefers career switchers in many cases. You bring soft skills, discipline, and maturity that fresh grads often don’t have. We have seen this ourselves when helping our graduates transition into their new cybersecurity role.

In fact, 74% of our graduates started with no IT background - and still landed jobs within a year. Previous jobs in HR, customer service, operations, or teaching? All surprisingly relevant once you're in a cyber role.

Just one: you’ll need to do the work. Cyber isn’t a "get rich quick" scheme. But with the right mindset and structured training, it’s very doable.

Look for part-time programmes built for working adults. Seek hands-on labs, mentorship, and real-world simulation over theory-heavy lectures.

You don’t need to quit your job or buy a laptop full of stickers. Start small. Attend a free cybersecurity workshop. Try a beginner’s lab. Talk to someone in the field.

If the spark’s there, look into structured training options like our Cybersecurity Career Kickstart+ programme. It’s designed for mid-career folks who want real-world experience, support, and results.

👉 Join a free info session
👉 Download the full course brochure

Can I switch to cybersecurity without any IT background?
Yes. 74% of our graduates have no IT background and have found jobs. Focus on hands-on skills and real-world problem-solving.

Will this job still be around in 5–10 years?
Absolutely. The more we digitise, the more we need protection.

How long does it take to be job-ready?
6 to 12 months with part-time, focused training is common.

Are there subsidies for training?
Yes. 70%-90% SkillsFuture Subsidies, SkillsFuture Credits, UTAP, and PSEA can significantly reduce costs for eligible Singaporeans and PRs.