Mexico needs around 83,000 cybersecurity specialists and has about 6,000 professionals capable of meeting that demand, resulting in an estimated gap of 77,000 experts in one of the most sensitive areas for companies, banks, industries, governments, and critical infrastructure. The data comes from the study "Radiography of Digital Talent: Specialization, Gaps and Opportunities in Cybersecurity," prepared by the Mexican firms IQSEC and Select.
The paradox is striking: Mexico generated a projected surplus of 278,000 ICT professionals by 2025, yet companies continue to struggle to find the profiles they need. The study estimates that only 38% of graduates from ICT careers manage to enter the workforce as technical professionals, while the rest end up in administrative, commercial, educational, or service-related activities. Specifically in cybersecurity, only 1.4% of the ICT enrollment in higher education is registered in programs in the field, and the country produced only 933 graduates in the specialty during 2025, a figure that covers approximately 1.2% of the documented gap.
The context of threats makes the deficit more urgent. Mexico recorded 58.1 trillion cyberattack attempts during 2025 and 30 trillion active scans, according to the Global Threat Landscape Report 2026 by FortiGuard Labs, placing the country among the three most affected markets in Latin America, along with Brazil and Colombia. Fortinet also reported a 389% increase in ransomware victims globally, with cybercrime increasingly operating as an organized system utilizing artificial intelligence, access markets, and target recognition automation.
The geographical distribution of talent worsens the problem. Five states concentrate 65% of the national enrollment in cybersecurity, led by Mexico City with 925 students and Nuevo León with 844. Durango, Nayarit, Campeche, Guerrero, and Oaxaca completely lack programs in the field. Ten institutions account for 48% of national enrollment.
In terms of salaries, cybersecurity vacancies offer an average of 51,386 pesos per month, above the general ICT average of 49,993 pesos. Only artificial intelligence at 69,697 pesos and cloud computing at 62,283 pesos appear to offer higher salaries. The most sought-after profiles are security engineers, accounting for 25% of vacancies, followed by cybersecurity analysts, SOC, and vulnerability analysts at 21%, and government, risk, and compliance consultants at 14%.
A key distinction of cybersecurity from the rest of the tech sector is the necessity for on-site presence: while in ICT in general, on-site vacancies represent 18%, in cybersecurity they reach 41%, reflecting the nature of critical infrastructure that many organizations prefer to keep under direct supervision. Language also represents an obstacle: only 35% of ICT professionals registered on Hireline.io have advanced English, a relevant skill for certifications and specialized technical documentation.
The low female participation further limits the available pool: 77% of enrollment in cybersecurity corresponds to men and 23% to women. Although the number of programs grew from 20 in 2020 to 129 in 2025, demand far exceeds the pace of training.
Given this situation, IQSEC proposes talent incubators that turn generalist ICT graduates into functional specialists in six months through intensive training, mentoring, and operational practice, a model aimed at bridging the gap between academic training and the real needs of the market.
From next+'s analysis on education, talent, and professional development, this gap is also a concrete opportunity for professionals seeking a career with high demand, salaries above the industry average, and long-term prospects. Cybersecurity is not a niche: it is one of the areas where Mexico most needs specialized talent right now. For those evaluating where to direct their professional development or continuing education, the study's data offers a clear map. In the Education section of next+, you will find resources and courses aimed at developing digital skills that can be the starting point to close that gap from the talent side.