ISC2 Launches Cyber-AI Workforce Coalition to Address Cybersecurity Skills Gap
Amid growing concerns surrounding the cybersecurity skills gap, ISC2 has announced the formation of the Cyber-AI Workforce Coalition, marking a significant shift in the organization’s approach to addressing the evolving needs of the cybersecurity profession. This initiative was unveiled on October 20, 2026, under the leadership of Scott Beale, who has been at the helm of ISC2 since December 2025.
Beale, in a recent interview with Infosecurity during the ISC2 Security Congress in Denver, Colorado, reflected on his initial six months as CEO. He emphasized the importance of actively engaging with the organization’s members to understand their aspirations and concerns. A prevailing theme from these conversations was the desire among ISC2 members for the nonprofit to take a bolder stance in the realms of AI safety and security.
"We aim to be the association that prepares the cybersecurity workforce for the myriad challenges posed by this AI era," Beale stated, underlining the coalition’s objective of fostering a proactive approach in the field.
Mapping the AI Security Workforce and Its Emerging Skills Gap
Beale characterized the coalition as a “vendor-neutral convener” that seeks to unite global cybersecurity professionals, including thought leaders from various sectors, such as Human Resources managers and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), who play critical roles in shaping the future of cybersecurity roles influenced by AI advancements. Notably, the coalition aims to collaborate with standard-setting bodies and government entities, acknowledging the complexities involved in defining job roles as they evolve with technological progress.
"Despite ongoing updates to standards and frameworks from entities like the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), organizations continue to face challenges in accurately advertising and filling cybersecurity roles. The language used by banks to describe these positions often differs significantly from that used by healthcare institutions," Beale elaborated.
The uncertainties surrounding hiring needs at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity remain a vital concern. Questions linger about how AI technology will reshape the demand for cybersecurity professionals, which skills will become essential for AI security roles, and how seasoned practitioners can upgrade their competencies to meet rapidly changing requirements.
"The coalition serves as a mechanism for us to listen to these stakeholders directly and guide the sector in a way that is responsive to their evolving needs," Beale noted.
Practical Tools to Define and Hire for AI Security Roles
The coalition’s practical approach will not focus on developing new standards but rather on creating useful toolkits for employers. These resources will assist organizations in clearly defining new job roles that sit at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. Emphasizing real-world applicability, these toolkits will provide actionable guidance on how companies can hire, nurture, and classify cybersecurity talent. Additionally, practitioners will receive insights on how to acquire and demonstrate the expertise that employers are seeking.
The toolkits will aim to tackle three pivotal inquiries:
- How are cybersecurity jobs evolving?
- How are organizations formulating job descriptions for these emerging roles?
- How are potential candidates preparing for interviews and positioning themselves to fulfill these positions?
Beale added, "ISC2 is actively developing a new AI security certification, and we believe this initiative will play a crucial role in defining these new roles. However, we do not claim to possess the only solution to this complex problem."
The inaugural meeting of the coalition is scheduled for November, with the aspiration of producing the first series of toolkits by the spring of 2027. Beale envisions piloting these resources with select companies to facilitate their hiring processes for AI security professionals.
Importantly, the outcomes from the coalition’s efforts are intended to be accessible to a broader audience, extending beyond just ISC2 members. Beale indicated that universities and certification bodies would also find these tools valuable, enabling them to adapt their curricula to better prepare students for the evolving landscape of cybersecurity roles influenced by artificial intelligence.
With the launch of the Cyber-AI Workforce Coalition, ISC2 is poised to take a leading role in addressing the pressing challenges of AI in cybersecurity, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and equipping the workforce with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of this new era. This initiative represents a forward-thinking approach that could fundamentally reshape how cybersecurity roles are defined, recruited, and filled.