From Hype to Help: How AI Is (Really) Transforming Cybersecurity in 2025

AI is no longer a future concept in cybersecurity — it’s here, embedded in day-to-day operations. But while adoption is rising, agreement on its effectiveness is not. The cybersecurity workforce is divided: executives are all-in on AI’s potential, while analysts remain unconvinced it’s delivering where it matters.

71% of executives say AI has significantly improved their team’s productivity. Only 22% of analysts agree. This stark gap reflects more than just perception — it reveals a growing divide between strategic intent and operational reality. Analysts closest to the tools cite hallucinations, false positives, and added complexity. For them, AI isn’t replacing manual work — it’s reshaping it, often without reducing the burden.

This tension is also reshaping security teams. Over half of surveyed organizations have already restructured in response to AI adoption. Yet the change isn’t about reducing headcount — it’s about rethinking roles. New responsibilities are emerging around automation oversight, AI governance, and faster decision-making. Teams aren’t shrinking; they’re adapting.

The most tangible value AI offers for cybersecurity today is in threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR) — where speed and signal clarity matter most. AI-driven tools are helping reduce the time it takes to identify and investigate threats, offloading repetitive analysis tasks and freeing up humans to act faster and more confidently.