Global Tensions Are Driving Demand for Cybersecurity Jobs
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June 19, 2025
When missiles fly, networks blink. In 2025, cyberwarfare is not an abstraction. It’s part of modern conflict. As kinetic hostilities escalate between Iran and Israel, cybersecurity professionals are finding themselves on the front lines of a different kind of battlefield – one that spans global networks, targets civilian infrastructure and operates continuously across borders.
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Following Israel’s strikes against Iranian nuclear and military targets this month, Radware reported a 700% surge in cyberattacks on Israeli infrastructure. Cybersecurity experts warned that retaliation may escalate into asymmetric campaigns targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, energy and healthcare systems, led not only by Iranian state-backed groups, but also by ideologically motivated hacktivists aligned with Tehran’s interests.
Cybersecurity Job Market – Focused, Not Flat
While headlines may suggest a cooling in the broader tech sector, cybersecurity hiring remains active, especially in threat-specific specialized domains. According to publicly available CyberSeek data, U.S. employers posted more than 500,000 cybersecurity-related jobs over the past 12 months, with concentrated growth in infrastructure protection, incident response and risk management.
The demand continues to outpace supply. The latest research found that there are roughly 74 qualified cybersecurity professionals for every 100 open roles. This shortfall has persisted for years and is especially acute for jobs requiring security clearances or sector-specific skills. The shortage is further amplified during periods of global conflict. While some entry-level postings are demanding mid-career certifications such as CISSP or CISA, alternative pathways such as focused training, apprenticeships, and military transition programs remain viable.
Where Cyberthreats Drive Demand
Job functions seeing the most traction today are directly aligned with continuing global threats. Cyberthreat intelligence analysts are tracking the online footprint of state-linked actors and affiliated hacktivist groups. As reported by GovInfoSecurity, Iran’s cyber strategy includes not only government-sponsored teams but also pro-regime operatives operating independently of official command structures. This layered threat environment requires analysts who can distinguish state-sponsored signals from opportunistic noise.
Incident response engineers and SOC analysts are increasingly embedded in critical infrastructure firms. Their job is to detect and mitigate threats in real time. Targeted sectors include energy, water systems, transportation and food logistics. In other words, these targets are precisely most likely to experience spillover from geopolitical conflict.
Equally critical are governance, risk and compliance professionals, along with privacy and cybersecurity legal counsel. These roles help institutions navigate evolving legal frameworks and balance proactive threat mitigation with audit-ready compliance practices.
The Role of Security Clearances in Hiring
Cyber roles tied to national defense and critical infrastructure often require U.S. government security clearance. These clearances, typically at the Secret or Top Secret/SCI level, are more than just paperwork. They represent access to classified data, systems or facilities.
Obtaining clearance requires U.S. citizenship and the successful completion of a background investigation, which may include credit and criminal history checks, employment verification, and, in the case of Top Secret roles, polygraphs or psychological screening. Not everyone qualifies. Reasons for disqualification include unresolved financial issues, certain legal histories, foreign entanglements or inconsistent personal conduct.
Candidates with current or prior clearance, such as military veterans or former federal employees, often get expedited placement. Clearance eligibility, when disclosed on a resume or application, is a significant differentiator in today’s cyber job market.
Getting Ready for the Frontline
Professionals interested in roles tied to geopolitical threat defense should prepare accordingly. Industry-recognized certifications such as Security+, GCIH, and Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) are foundational. For more advanced positions, credentials such as CISSP, CASP+ and GIAC certifications in threat intelligence or OT/ICS security are increasingly expected.
Hands-on labs offer essential practice, simulating real-world scenarios including ransomware containment, ICS intrusions and threat hunting. Participation in trusted industry working groups or public-private training initiatives can also help cyber professionals gain insight into evolving threat landscapes and build connections with mission-aligned peers.
It’s also wise to begin exploring security clearance pathways. While you cannot apply for a clearance on your own, as only a sponsoring employer can initiate the process, being clearable is an asset. Demonstrating a stable employment history, responsible financial behavior and transparency in your background can position you for roles in both government and government-adjacent sectors.
A Critical Career Path with Consequential Impact
In the current geopolitical climate, cybersecurity has moved from the data center to the front lines. Defending against nation-state aggression, ideological attacks and hybrid warfare requires professionals who combine technical acumen with strategic awareness. Whether your expertise lies in network defense, legal compliance or adversary intelligence, there’s a role for you in today’s defense posture.
These careers are not just high-paying. They’re high-stakes. For those with the readiness, resilience, and integrity to serve in this capacity, the work is both urgently needed and meaningful.
