Technology is evolving at a speed that challenges even top professionals. AI, automation, and cybersecurity threats are reshaping the skills IT workers need. To stay relevant, you must understand which capabilities will matter most now and in the next three years. Research from Cisco and the World Economic Forum highlights the most in-demand IT skills you should focus on.
The Top IT Skills for the Next Five Years
According to the World Economic Forum, the three most critical skills will be:
- AI and big data
- Networking and cybersecurity
- Technological literacy
Together, these represent the foundation of IT’s future. AI will influence how networks run, cybersecurity defends against new attack methods, and literacy ensures workers adapt to emerging tools. Critical thinking also plays a key role, helping professionals interpret AI-driven insights and make better decisions.
Why Cybersecurity and Networking Are Essential
Cybersecurity remains a top priority. Globally, there’s a shortage of 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals, with 500,000 needed in the U.S. alone. Demand is shifting toward specialized roles such as:
- Red teamers (up 29% in the past year)
- Cyber threat intelligence analysts
- Ethical hackers
Networking professionals are also seeing new responsibilities. Security is now embedded into network design and operations, fueling demand for:
- Network reliability engineers
- Site reliability engineers
In short, you cannot secure what you do not understand. Networking and cybersecurity are becoming inseparable.
Advanced AI and Automation Skills
Expert-level IT professionals must integrate AI into daily operations. The most in-demand IT skills in this area include:
- Prompt engineering and response validation
- AIOps (AI for IT operations)
- Predictive analytics
- Machine learning concepts
- Agentic workflow orchestration
Automation skills, such as scripting in Python, working with APIs, and using Ansible, complement AI. Together, these allow IT teams to manage and secure complex networks programmatically.
Security in the AI Era
With AI integration comes new risks. IT professionals will need advanced expertise in:
- Zero-trust architecture and micro-segmentation
- Defending against adversarial AI attacks (data poisoning, prompt injection, etc.)
- Supply chain security
- Privacy preservation techniques
These specialized skills will become crucial as AI-enabled cyberattacks increase.
Networking for AI Workloads
More than half of senior network engineers already report AI impacting infrastructure. Future networks must handle high-performance AI workloads, requiring skills such as:
- RoCEV2 and GPUDirect
- AI data pipelines
- Centralized management platforms
Professionals who master these will be able to build networks optimized for AI-driven applications.
Soft Skills for IT Success
Beyond technical expertise, business alignment and leadership matter. The IT leaders of tomorrow will need:
- Strategic orchestration and conceptual judgment
- Communication and collaboration across business teams
- Oversight of incident response and compliance
- Ethical evaluation of AI-driven decisions
These skills ensure IT professionals influence strategy, not just operations.
Continuous Learning Is Non-Negotiable
The half-life of technical skills is shrinking. What once lasted ten years now lasts three to five. Continuous learning is the only way to stay competitive.
Cisco has integrated AI-focused content into Networking Academy, DevNet, and Cisco U. training paths. This ensures learners acquire not just trendy skills but the capabilities that matter most for long-term success.
Key Takeaway: The most in-demand IT skills in 2025 and beyond will center on AI, cybersecurity, and networking, supported by critical thinking, automation, and strong communication. Continuous learning is the path to keeping your career future-proof.
