Security tools increasingly use AI to sort alerts and spot unusual activity, so people considering a cybersecurity career ask whether AI will do the job itself. The US data points strongly the other way: the BLS names AI as one of the reasons security jobs are growing.
The short answer: current evidence does not point to AI replacing cybersecurity jobs. The ILO's 2025 index has no separate security code; related IT occupations sit in its second and third gradients. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21 percent growth for information security analysts from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, and says increased use of AI has increased the need for enhanced security. Projections can change.
How exposed security work is
From the ILO's 2025 index, which scores tasks 0 to 1 for generative AI exposure:
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO band | Mean task score |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Administrators | Gradient 3 | 0.57 |
| Database and Network Professionals n.e.c. | Gradient 2 | 0.49 |
| ICT User Support Technicians | Gradient 2 | 0.47 |
Exposure here means AI can help with many tasks, such as summarizing logs or drafting reports. It does not mean the job is going away.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Information security analysts | Grow 21% | About 14,100 |
The BLS says cyberattacks have grown in frequency and analysts will be needed to create solutions, that businesses need to secure new technologies, and that increased use of AI and the rise of e-commerce have increased the need for enhanced security.
Security tasks AI is helping with
- Sorting and prioritizing alerts.
- Summarizing logs and incidents.
- Explaining unfamiliar code or scripts.
- Drafting reports, policies and playbooks.
- Spotting unusual patterns in large volumes of data.
Why AI adds security work
AI systems are a new thing to secure. OWASP lists prompt injection, where hidden instructions in content mislead a model, as a top risk for applications built on large language models (OWASP LLM01). AI agents that can take actions need limited access, logging and human review. See AI agent security.
What stays with security professionals
- Judging which alerts matter and deciding what to do.
- Investigating incidents and understanding attacker behavior.
- Designing systems and access so they fail safely.
- Checking AI tools' findings, which can be wrong. See checking AI output.
- Explaining risk to people who are not security experts.
How the job is changing
AI takes on some of the volume, especially alert triage and summaries, while adding new systems to protect. People who understand both security and how AI systems fail are in a strong position.
See also will AI replace software engineers?, will AI replace web developers? and will AI take my job?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for information security analysts at $129,180 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: bachelor's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace cybersecurity jobs?
Not on current evidence. The BLS projects 21 percent US growth for information security analysts from 2025 to 2035 and names increased use of AI as one reason security needs are growing.
How exposed is cybersecurity to AI?
The ILO has no separate security code. Related IT occupations score between 0.47 and 0.57, in gradients 2 and 3.
Will AI replace cybersecurity analysts?
AI helps with alert triage and summaries, but analysts still judge, investigate and decide. The BLS expects about 14,100 openings a year.
Does AI create new security work?
Yes. AI systems bring new risks, such as prompt injection, which OWASP lists as a top risk for large language model applications.
Is cybersecurity still a good career?
US projections expect much faster than average growth for information security analysts from 2025 to 2035.