Tech Jobs Are Being Cut – So Why Is Cybersecurity Still Growing?

For years, the technology industry was associated with rapid hiring, high salaries, and long-term opportunity.

That picture is changing.

Some of the world’s largest technology companies are cutting thousands of jobs while investing heavily in AI. The causes vary, and it would be misleading to claim that every position was simply replaced by AI.

But the wider direction is clear: companies are becoming more selective about where they employ people. Routine work, generalist roles, and layers of coordination are under pressure. Investment is moving toward the capabilities considered essential to the next phase of the digital economy.

Cybersecurity is one of those capabilities.

At the same time, these companies are becoming more dependent on cloud infrastructure, connected systems, data, and AI. Every new system creates identities and potential entry points that somebody must protect.

The technology market is splitting. Some roles are being reduced, while other skills are becoming more valuable. For career changers in Germany, understanding that difference matters more than asking whether “tech” is growing or shrinking.

One Technology Market – Two Different Directions

The recent cuts are not limited to struggling start-ups:

• Meta planned to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,600 employees in 2025 while redirecting substantial resources toward AI. Associated Press reported on the cuts.
• Microsoft announced cuts affecting around 9,000 roles while continuing to invest heavily in AI infrastructure. Reuters reported on Microsoft’s restructuring.
• Amazon announced plans to eliminate approximately 14,000 corporate positions as part of a broader restructuring influenced by AI adoption. Reuters reported on Amazon’s reductions.

These companies continue to hire in selected areas and invest billions in new infrastructure. The lesson is that working in technology is no longer enough to make a role secure. What matters is whether the capability itself is becoming more or less important.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 captures this divide. Among the employers surveyed, 40% expected to reduce staff where AI can automate tasks. At the same time, networks and cybersecurity ranked among the three fastest-growing skill areas expected through 2030. The full findings are available in the Future of Jobs Report.

The same technological shift can therefore reduce demand on one side of the market while increasing it on the other.

Why Cybersecurity Is Moving Differently

AI can help security teams analyse alerts and automate repetitive checks. But it also changes the scale and nature of the security problem.

More technology creates more exposure

Companies now depend on cloud infrastructure, remote access, online payments, customer databases, and AI-powered workflows. These systems create more data, identities, and potential entry points for attackers.

A company can postpone a software feature. It cannot decide that protecting customer data, financial systems, or production environments is optional.

Attackers use AI too

The same tools that help legitimate companies can also help attackers work faster and at a larger scale. AI can be used to improve phishing emails, automate research on targets, generate convincing fake messages, scan public systems for weaknesses, and support vulnerability discovery.

AI may reduce the time required for certain security tasks, but it also increases the number of systems that need protection and gives attackers new capabilities. Organisations still need people who can interpret risk, investigate incidents and take responsibility when something goes wrong.

Regulation is making security mandatory

The EU’s NIS2 Directive establishes a cybersecurity framework across 18 critical sectors. It introduces risk-management and incident-reporting requirements for many organisations in industries including energy, transport, healthcare, finance, digital infrastructure, manufacturing and public administration. The European Commission explains the scope of NIS2 here.

This creates demand not only for highly technical specialists, but also for professionals who can assess risk, document controls, manage compliance and coordinate incident response.

Can You Enter Cybersecurity Without Previous IT Experience?

Yes, but “no previous experience required” does not mean “no effort required.”

Beginners need foundations in networks, Linux and Windows, cloud infrastructure, threat detection, incident response, risk, and compliance. They also need experience using real tools and explaining how they would approach a security problem.

This is why practical training matters. Watching videos and memorising terminology may help you understand the field, but employers also want evidence that you can apply what you have learned.

A strong training route should combine technical foundations, hands-on labs, recognised certifications, realistic projects, and career preparation.

What Can Beginners Realistically Earn?

Entry-level cybersecurity roles in Germany can pay approximately €55,000 to €65,000 gross per year, depending on the position, city, employer, previous experience, and certifications. Some specialist roles can reach or exceed €70,000, while other beginners may start below this range.

As professionals gain experience in areas such as cloud security, security engineering, GRC, or incident response, salaries can progress significantly. You can explore a more detailed breakdown in our guide to cybersecurity analyst salaries in Germany.

The larger advantage is the opportunity to develop expertise in a field that organisations increasingly depend on.

Your Training Could Be 100% Funded

For people who are unemployed or at risk of unemployment in Germany, the cost of retraining may not have to be the main barrier.

The Bildungsgutschein is a training voucher offered through the Federal Employment Agency. If your individual requirements are met, it can cover the cost of an approved training program intended to improve your employment prospects.

According to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, eligible funding can include course fees, learning materials, and examination fees. If you begin approved training while receiving unemployment benefit, that benefit will generally continue when the relevant entitlement exists.

Approval is not automatic. Your situation is assessed during a consultation, and both the training provider and program must be approved.

A Practical Route Into Cybersecurity

Cybersteps offers an AZAV-certified Cybersecurity Weiterbildung designed for people who want to enter the field through a structured, practical route.

The remote program is available in German or English and includes:

• Hands-on labs and realistic security scenarios
• Training in networks, operating systems, cloud, security operations, GRC and penetration testing
• Preparation for recognised certifications, including IHK, CompTIA and Microsoft Azure
• Weekly mentoring and career support
• Program paths ranging from 6 to 14 months
• A two-month internship for participants completing the full 12-month training path

Eligible participants may receive 100% funding through a Bildungsgutschein from the Agentur für Arbeit or Jobcenter. Cybersteps also helps applicants prepare the documents and employment case required for their consultation.