AI is becoming central to organisations’ digital transformation, and cybersecurity is no exception. In this article for Computer Weekly, Peter Birch, director of technology and digital executive search at Harvey Nash, and Mo Gaibee, associate consultant, highlight how AI is transforming cyber teams and operations.
According to the 2025 Nash Squared/Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report, 90% of businesses are now piloting or implementing AI, a significant jump from 59% in 2023, while 29% of technology leaders report their organisation has suffered a major cyber attack in the past two years, the highest level since 2019.
AI is increasingly embedded in security operations, helping SOC analysts, threat hunters, and penetration testers detect, prioritise, and respond to threats more efficiently. The article explores the resulting war for cyber talent, with AI skills becoming a key differentiator for recruitment, as well as retention challenges for organisations under pressure to protect against evolving threats.
Peter and Mo also examine the hybrid future of cybersecurity, where AI tools enhance, but do not replace, the expertise of human teams, making AI proficiency a critical requirement for cyber leaders and professionals.
