As more industries embrace digital transformation, certain technical skills are becoming essential for success. Leading online learning platform Coursera has identified ten essential digital skills that will be highly sought after by 2025 in its latest report, with a high focus on cybersecurity. The “Job Skills of 2025” report, which draws from data from over 7,000 institutional clients and five million enterprise learners, describes the essential skills that businesses are looking for to counteract the increasing risks in the digital world. There is a sense of urgency in the sector as six of the top ten fastest-growing tech talents are related to security.
These abilities complement positions that are in high demand, like cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity specialist, and chief information Security officer. Incident Management and Response is one of the primary areas of focus, indicating the increasing demand for experts capable of managing cybersecurity breaches and reducing their negative effects on companies. The increasing sophistication of cyber threats will also make threat management and modeling essential, enabling firms to better anticipate and thwart possible attacks. With cyberattacks increasing at a rate of 75% in Q3 2024, skills such as threat management & modeling and incident management are becoming increasingly important.
Computer security expertise remains one of the high demand skills.
Following these skills is expertise in Security information and Event Management (SIEM), a skill set that allows professionals to track and evaluate security events in real time to identify and reduce risks. Computer security expertise also remains one of the high demand skills, emphasizing how crucial it is to shield private data from unwanted access. This is followed by vulnerability management, a field that makes sure software and systems are routinely evaluated for flaws and updated to prevent exploitation. Network planning and design, as well as network management and monitoring, also emerged in the list.
With interconnected systems becoming more prevalent, these abilities are essential for building strong, effective, and safe networks that facilitate organizational functions. Software documentation is another increasingly demanding skill. It guarantees that technological systems and processes are documented in a clear and understandable manner for ease of implementation. Infrastructure security, which deals with securing vital computer infrastructure systems and is essential to protecting the digital and physical components of an organization’s IT environment—ensuring its resilience against attacks or failures—is also anticipated to see an increase in demand.
Generative AI ranks as the fastest growing skill for 2025.
Last on the list is expertise in Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), a specialized programming language used in programs such as Microsoft Power BI for data modeling and analysis. DAX proficiency is becoming more and more in-demand as companies continue to use data-driven insights to convert unprocessed data into useful knowledge. The needs of a technologically advanced future where data analysis, network efficiency, and cybersecurity are critical and are reflected in these abilities. Upskilling in these areas can help professionals stay competitive and meet the changing demands of the digital economy.
In terms of fastest growing skill for 2025, Generative AI (GenAl) ranks first, recording 866% YoY increase in generative Al (GenAl) demand among all employees, students, and job seekers. In 2024, the number of job listings that mention GenAI increased by more than four times, and 49% of non-job seekers agree that upskilling in AI is beneficial. The firm has also identified eight high-paying skills you might wish to study or hone in the upcoming year by examining forecast reports on the most in-demand skills through 2030 from the World Economic Forum, Pearson, Future study, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Coursera.
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Included in this list are generative artificial intelligence, data analysis, software development, user experience, web development, project management, account administration, content production and management. All of the skills on this list can be applied to a variety of job careers or could help you advance in your current position. Meanwhile, the 10 fastest growing new skills in 2025 are Prompt engineering, Applied GenAI, Data analysis, Cybersecurity, Business optimization, Risk management, WordPress, Linux, Software documentation and Curiosity, debuting as the first human skill on Coursera’s list.