Cybersecurity Jobs That Will Dominate 2026: INE Security Prepares Professionals for the Most Critical Roles

Cary, NC, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — INE Security, a leading global cybersecurity training and IT security training provider, is releasing new analysis of cybersecurity roles that will dominate the 2026 job market. Based on a comprehensive analysis of industry data and research released at major cybersecurity conferences, including RSA Conference 2025, GISEC Global 2025, and worldwide Black Hat events, INE Security has identified cybersecurity job roles where the highest market demand intersects with hands-on technical expertise.

“Skill shortages are a major concern throughout the cybersecurity industry, particularly in mission-critical roles,” said Tracy Wallace, INE Security’s Director of Content Development. “INE Security’s hands-on cybersecurity training methodology creates job-ready professionals in the areas where technical expertise can make the greatest immediate impact. Our 3,100+ browser-based labs don’t just teach concepts—they build the practical IT security training skills that organizations need right now.”

Critical Cybersecurity Roles Shaping 2026:

Identity Security Posture Management (ISPM) Specialists: With identity-related breaches continuing to plague organizations, ISPM specialists will be essential for enterprises seeking to uncover and address identity risks across hybrid cloud and on-premises systems. RSAC 2025 emphasized new ISPM capabilities and innovations to protect passwordless environments, while major vendors announced ISPM solutions as core offerings.

• INE Security Training Advantage: Comprehensive Active Directory security training, Identity and Access Management courses, and privilege escalation techniques integrated across the eJPT and eCPPT learning paths provide unparalleled preparation for ISPM roles
• Hands-On Expertise: More than 500 hands-on labs focused on identity security give professionals the practical expertise enterprises desperately need to secure hybrid environments
• Career Pathway: Clear progression from fundamental identity concepts to advanced enterprise identity architecture management

Crowdsourced Red Team Specialists: The cybersecurity industry is exploring offensive security through distributed approaches. At RSAC 2025, Bugcrowd launched the industry’s first Crowdsourced Red Team as a Service platform, connecting organizations to global networks of vetted ethical hackers for real-time, intelligence-led testing. This model brings the potential for massive scale and flexibility to traditionally resource-heavy security assessments.

Mobile Threat Analysts: Cyber attackers are increasingly prioritizing mobile over desktop environments. Zimperium’s 2025 Global Mobile Threat Report showed that smishing now comprises over two-thirds of mobile phishing attacks. Organizations need specialists focused exclusively on mobile security infrastructure.

• INE Security Training Advantage: The eMAPT (Mobile Penetration Testing) certification provides foundational mobile security expertise, positioning graduates for the expanding mobile defense field
• Expanding Curriculum: INE Security is developing advanced mobile defense training to address enterprise mobile threat intelligence and incident response
• Market Opportunity: As one of the few providers offering hands-on mobile security labs, INE Security graduates enter this high-demand field with immediate practical capabilities

AI Security Specialists/Engineers: The demand for AI security expertise has reached unprecedented levels. RSA Conference 2025 featured over 100 sessions dealing with artificial intelligence, with attendees noting the event had transformed into “RSAI” rather than RSAC. GISEC Global 2025 was held under the theme ‘Securing an AI-Powered Future,’ emphasizing AI governance and digital ethics as critical areas requiring immediate attention.

• INE Security Training Advantage: INE Security’s strong training materials in threat detection and analysis, combined with foundational AI skills, provide professionals with transferable skills applicable to AI security roles
• Market Opportunity: Represents the highest-growth career opportunity in cybersecurity as organizations deploy AI-powered security tools while defending against AI-enhanced attacks
• Industry Development: The cybersecurity training industry is scrambling to develop AI security courses to meet skyrocketing demand

Cloud Security Engineers: Cloud Security Engineers are integral to organizational resilience as businesses accelerate cloud adoption. With 45% of organizations reporting unfilled cloud security roles and experienced professionals commanding salaries above $155,000 annually, this represents one of the highest-demand technical specializations. AWS Certified Security – Specialty is now recognized as one of the highest-paying technical cloud positions in the world, with an average global salary of $158,594. 

• INE Security Training Advantage: Comprehensive cloud certification preparation across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms with dedicated learning paths for AWS Solutions Architect Associate, AWS SysOps Administrator Associate, Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500), and Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
• Hands-On Cloud Labs: 130+ hands-on labs specifically designed for cloud security scenarios, plus additional cloud security collections in Skill Dive for real-world practice
• Security-First Approach: INE Security’s “learn by doing” cybersecurity education methodology ensures graduates develop practical cloud security skills that directly address enterprise needs for securing AWS, Azure, and GCP environments

Training That Delivers Career Resilience

INE Security’s approach addresses the intersection of market demand and practical skills development:

• Immediate Market Entry: Identity security, red team operations, and mobile defense roles offer immediate career opportunities for technically skilled professionals
• Skills Premium: Organizations investing in cybersecurity education programs are overwhelmingly more likely to retain cybersecurity professionals, according to a 2024 LinkedIn workforce study, directly addressing skills shortages in high-demand technical roles
• Future-Proofing: As digital transformation accelerates, technical security roles address fundamental infrastructure needs that will intensify through 2026 and beyond
• Clear ROI: Professionals can immediately contribute to identity security, red team operations, and mobile defense initiatives with hands-on expertise

“The convergence of identity threats, sophisticated attacks, and mobile vulnerabilities creates new opportunities for cybersecurity professionals who combine technical depth with practical experience,” continued Wallace. “INE Security’s strength lies in preparing professionals for roles where hands-on technical skills directly address critical business security needs.”

About INE Security

INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and cybersecurity certifications. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Security’s suite of learning paths and preparation for professional certifications offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity and is committed to delivering advanced technical training for cybersecurity jobs while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career.

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