Cyber Security Salary Guide 2026

The Irish Cyber Security market in 2026 is expected to expand at pace, driven by AI-related risks, regulatory compliance, and heightened geopolitical instability. Organisations are prioritising cyber resilience at board level, with Security Architects, Cloud Security Engineers, and Cybersecurity Consultants among the most in-demand roles.

In 2025, candidate shortages were already evident, particularly in Data Privacy, Cloud Security, and Security Operations, and the gap between supply and demand will widen further in 2026. Ireland now counts over 9,000 cybersecurity professionals, but an estimated 1,200+ new roles annually are required to keep up with business and regulatory needs. Employers are leaning more heavily on international recruitment, relocation packages, and visa sponsorships to access talent.

2026 Forecast

• AI Risk & Compliance: AI adoption has amplified the need for cyber oversight. Firms will prioritise AI governance, bias detection, and secure deployment as key hiring requirements.
• Cloud & Hybrid Security: With multi-cloud environments now the norm, certifications in AWS Security, Azure Security, and GCP Security are becoming baseline requirements.
• Upskilling: Organisations will broaden their hiring criteria, choosing candidates with solid fundamentals and upskilling them on niche security frameworks post-hire.
• Contractor Market: Day rates for Cyber Specialists will continue to rise as companies seek flexible expertise for projects tied to compliance deadlines (e.g. DORA, NIS2).
• Certifications: CISSP, CISM, and CISA remain premium, but cloud certs and zero-trust specialisations are increasingly valued.

If you have any queries in regards to the salary survey or anything cloud or infrastructure recruitment related, contact Ruadhri on +353 1 507 9264 or email ruadhri.mcgarry@itsearch.ie.