Cybersecurity has become one of the hottest areas in the IT job market, and digital security specialists are now worth their weight in gold. In Poland, there is a real boom in demand for cybersecurity experts — companies are competing for their skills by offering increasingly higher salaries. This trend mirrors what is happening globally: according to a ManpowerGroup report, 41% of IT executives worldwide list cybersecurity as their top investment priority for 2025, while there is a global shortage of nearly 5 million qualified specialists in this field. What makes cybersecurity the “new golden profession”, and why are Polish experts so highly valued both at home and abroad?
Why demand for cybersecurity specialists is rising
In recent years, there has been an explosive surge in cyberattacks targeting companies, public institutions, and individual users. Experts note that as many as 66% of companies in Poland experienced at least one cybersecurity incident in 2023, and one in ten suffered more than 30 incidents. Ransomware, phishing, data leaks — this is now everyday reality, which forces businesses to increase their investments in security. The average cost of a single data breach worldwide is already $4.88 million, and global losses caused by cybercrime are projected to hit a record $10.5 trillion this year. No company wants to bear such costs or risk reputational damage, so the demand for experts who can prevent attacks and protect data is skyrocketing.
The rapid development of new technologies is also driving the need for security professionals. The widespread use of cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and remote work has made IT infrastructure more complex and dispersed. A larger attack surface means more potential vulnerabilities to secure — so companies need professionals to safeguard their networks, applications, and devices in these new conditions. At the same time, cybercriminals are using advanced tools, including artificial intelligence, to attack more effectively. This means the “good guys” also need people with AI/ML skills to counter increasingly intelligent threats.
Regulatory requirements are another factor. The EU has recently introduced measures such as the NIS2 Directive and the DORA Regulation, which impose strict cybersecurity standards on companies — especially in critical infrastructure and financial sectors. Businesses must comply with these new rules, which is only possible with the support of qualified technical staff. In short, without IT security specialists, organizations cannot meet new norms or defend against increasingly sophisticated attacks.
All of this means that cybersecurity experts are in extremely high demand. Importantly, supply still lags behind demand — many companies struggle to find the right candidates. Over half (53%) of organizations in Poland admit that their biggest challenge in achieving adequate security is recruiting and retaining qualified staff. This talent shortage allows the best professionals to pick and choose offers, and employers compete by offering better conditions. The result? Salaries are soaring, and a career in cybersecurity offers stability and prestige.
Trends on the Polish market – fastest salary growth in IT
The Polish cybersecurity market is growing rapidly, mirroring global trends. As Paweł Łopatka from Experis points out, demand for specialized IT staff in Poland is breaking records, and the most talent-scarce areas are cybersecurity, AI/ML, DevOps, and cloud. There is a notable boom in finance, banking, e-commerce, manufacturing, and broader IT services, where data security has become critical. These industries are opening hundreds of new security-related positions — from SOC analysts to cloud security specialists and risk managers.
Cybersecurity salaries in Poland are growing faster than in any other IT specialization. Last year, pay in security jumped by over 12%, while overall IT salaries grew less. Forecasts predict further impressive growth of 14–16% annually, especially in cloud security, AI-related security, and regulatory compliance (NIS2/DORA). This means professionals can expect more job offers and steadily rising pay as they gain experience.
Some figures illustrate this trend: a junior SOC analyst in Poland can earn around PLN 8–13k gross per month. A more experienced penetration tester often makes PLN 16–22k, while a cloud security expert can earn PLN 20–30k. A cybersecurity manager in banking or fintech can command PLN 40–45k gross monthly. Such high salaries put security specialists among the best-paid professionals in the market. Most companies also offer non-salary perks, flexible contracts (B2B, remote work), and growth opportunities to attract and retain talent.
The most sought-after cybersecurity roles and specializations
Given such high demand, which roles are most in demand? There are many cybersecurity specializations, but some stand out for the scale of recruitment. These include:
SOC Analyst (Security Operations Center) – monitors systems and networks 24/7, detecting and responding to incidents. Often a typical entry-level role.
**Penetration Tester (Pentester) **– an ethical hacker who finds vulnerabilities by simulating attacks. Highly valued, as they help fix weaknesses before real criminals find them.
Cloud Security Engineer/Architect – protects cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud); these experts are in high demand as more data and services move to the cloud.
Network Security Specialist – safeguards corporate networks, configuring firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and infrastructure-level protections.
Application Security / DevSecOps Specialist – ensures software is secure by testing code and integrating security into the development process.
Incident Response / Forensic Analyst – handles breaches, collects digital evidence, analyzes hacker traces, and implements fixes to prevent recurrences.
There are also roles in consulting, auditing (e.g. ISO 27001 compliance), cryptography, SCADA/IoT security, and many more niches. Almost all of these roles are now worth their weight in gold — and whether someone prefers “blue team” (defense) or “red team” (offense for testing) work, there’s no shortage of opportunities.
What Skills Are Most Valued Today?
The set of desirable skills in cybersecurity is very broad, encompassing both technical and soft competencies. Among the most sought-after hard skills are:
Knowledge of networks and operating systems – solid foundations in how computer networks work (protocols, architecture, network devices) and in operating systems (Windows, Linux). It’s hard to secure something you don’t understand, so this knowledge is essential.
Threat detection and analysis – practical understanding of how malware, network attacks, and hacking techniques work. The ability to analyze logs, use SIEM tools to detect anomalies, and conduct post-incident investigations (digital forensics) is highly valued.
Application and database security – understanding how to design and test applications for security (e.g., the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities), protect databases, and secure sensitive information.
Cloud security – as mentioned earlier, cloud-related skills are in high demand. Specialists must know the tools and best practices for securing cloud services (containers, microservices, access control mechanisms in AWS/Azure/GCP, etc.).
Familiarity with tools and scripting – proficiency with both offensive and defensive security tools (vulnerability scanners, Metasploit, Wireshark, Nmap, EDR-class antivirus, etc.) and the ability to create custom scripts to automate tasks (e.g., in Python or PowerShell).
There is also growing demand for skills related to AI and machine learning in the security context. Just as cybercriminals use AI to attack, companies are deploying AI for threat detection and big data security analytics. Professionals who combine security skills with ML expertise are especially sought after. Additionally, due to tightening regulations, compliance knowledge (data protection regulations, security audits) is becoming increasingly important.
Soft skills are equally crucial. Continuous learning and adaptability are must-haves — the threat landscape evolves so quickly that standing still means falling behind. Employers look for people who are curious, eager to learn, and proactive in building their skills. Critical thinking and problem-solving are vital — cybersecurity specialists often need to piece together clues like detectives and draw conclusions from incomplete information. Communication and teamwork also matter, since security experts frequently educate other employees (e.g. training staff to avoid phishing) or collaborate with other departments during incidents. In short, the ideal cybersecurity expert is a technical ninja who can learn fast, adapt quickly, and communicate effectively.
Career Path in IT Security
What does a cybersecurity career path look like? The good news is that there are many ways into the field, and no single “template” path. Many professionals start in related IT roles — as system administrators, network engineers, or developers — and then specialize in security. Increasingly, there are also junior-level cybersecurity positions available, where you can apply even without years of experience if you have the fundamentals and motivation to learn. For example, junior SOC analyst or junior pentester are entry-level roles where newcomers gain experience under the guidance of senior colleagues.
Education and certifications can greatly help. In Poland, more universities now offer cybersecurity degrees, but many people also pursue vocational courses and bootcamps focused on hands-on skills. Popular certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH, OSCP and others validate your expertise — they require effort to obtain, but can make a candidate stand out. Importantly, the industry is very open to juniors who show enthusiasm, basic knowledge, and willingness to grow. Mentoring, internships, and the active cybersecurity community (conferences, online groups) also make it easier to get started.
With experience, knowledge and responsibilities grow — a mid-level specialist can independently run security projects (e.g. implementing a new protection system, conducting security audits), while a senior often leads teams or advises the business strategically. From there, the path can lead toward becoming a security architect (designing security strategies and systems) or CISO/security manager (overseeing all information security in an organization). At the top, business acumen and leadership skills become as important as technical expertise — and the roles are both prestigious and highly paid.
It’s worth noting that cybersecurity offers a dynamic and engaging career. It’s not monotonous — threats evolve constantly, and projects change with new technologies, so fresh challenges always arise. This career also brings a strong sense of purpose — protecting companies (and their customers) from real danger, preventing cybercrime, and building trust in the digital world. For many specialists, that’s as important as the salary.
Polish Cybersecurity Experts on the Global Stage – Opportunities Abroad
While this article focuses on the Polish market, it’s impossible to ignore the global context — especially since Polish experts are highly regarded internationally. Poland has become one of Europe’s leading sources of top-class IT specialists, including security experts. Many international corporations (IBM, Google, Microsoft, etc.) have set up cybersecurity centers or SOC teams in Poland to tap into local talent. Polish specialists — especially pentesters, forensic analysts, and cloud security engineers — are valued worldwide and increasingly join the ranks of global giants like Google and Microsoft.
What does this mean for aspiring professionals? Above all, there are many opportunities to work for foreign companies, often remotely or in hybrid models, without having to move abroad. Western markets face even greater talent shortages than Poland, so they eagerly hire Polish professionals, offering very competitive salaries (often in euros or dollars). Those who want to work abroad physically will also find cybersecurity an excellent choice — Polish experts with strong English skills can fairly easily land roles in Europe (e.g. London, Dublin, Berlin) or the U.S. Internationally recognized certifications make this path easier, as does participation in global competitions like Capture The Flag (CTF), where Poles often succeed and gain visibility.
In short, a career in cybersecurity opens doors worldwide. It’s truly a universal profession — a Polish expert might secure a bank in Switzerland, a factory in the U.S., or a government agency in Australia — often without leaving home. In our digital era, geography matters less, while cyber-defense skills are in demand everywhere.