Fortinet report: 49% face cyber hiring pushback

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Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points.

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) released the 2026 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report on April 28, 2026, highlighting persistent talent shortages as AI raises both defensive opportunities and new risks. Key findings: 86% of organizations experienced breaches in the past 12 months; 52% report breaches costing >$1M; 91% use or test AI security tools; 92% would pay for employee certifications; Fortinet aims to train 1 million people in cybersecurity this year.The report stresses board-level investment, targeted training, and hiring from underutilized talent pools to close the gap.

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Positive

91% of organizations using or experimenting with AI-powered security tools

92% would pay for employee cybersecurity certifications (up from 73%)

Fortinet on track to train 1 million people in cybersecurity in 2026

59% developing internal training or reskilling programs for AI adoption

Negative

86% of organizations reported one or more breaches in the past 12 months

52% report breach costs >$1 million (up from 38% in 2021)

49% of IT leaders struggle to get approval for additional cybersecurity talent

60% cite finding cybersecurity talent with AI experience as top recruiting challenge

Organizations breached
86%

Organizations reporting one or more breaches in past 12 months

High-cost breaches
52%

Organizations saying breaches cost more than $1 million

Average breach cost
$2 million

Average cost of a breach in North America

Using AI security tools
91%

Respondents using or experimenting with AI-powered cybersecurity solutions

AI tools improve teams
84%

Respondents saying AI-enhanced tools help IT and security teams

Certification support
92%

Leaders willing to pay for employees to get certified

AI cyber training intent
92%

Organizations likely to invest in AI-related cybersecurity training in next 12 months

People to be trained
1 million

Fortinet’s annual cybersecurity training pledge worldwide

$85.63
Last Close

Volume
Volume 3,542,505 is below the 20-day average of 5,810,059, suggesting a modest reaction to the report.

low

Technical
Shares at $85.63 are trading above the 200-day MA of $83.46, indicating a pre-existing upward bias before this skills-gap update.

FTNT is up 1.58% with mixed peer moves: NET (+2.7%), PANW (+3.42%), SNPS (+0.32%), while ZS (-0.92%) diverges. No momentum scanner confirmation and no same-day peer news suggest this is more FTNT-specific, tied to its cybersecurity skills-gap positioning.

Date
Event
Sentiment
Move
Catalyst

Apr 21

Partner award win

Positive

+3.2%

Recognition as 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year for workload security.

Apr 02

Earnings date set

Neutral

+1.7%

Announcement of first quarter 2026 results release and conference call date.

Mar 10

AI platform launch

Positive

+0.5%

Release of FortiOS 8.0 expanding AI-driven security and secure networking features.

Mar 10

SecOps enhancements

Positive

+0.5%

Advances to security operations platform with unified SOC and agentic AI tools.

Mar 06

Investor briefing

Neutral

-0.9%

Announcement of Accelerate 2026 investor briefing webcast for analysts and investors.

Pattern Detected
Recent Fortinet news, especially awards and AI/security product updates, has generally aligned with modestly positive price reactions.

Recent Company History
Over the last few months, Fortinet has highlighted product innovation and ecosystem recognition. On Mar 10, 2026, it announced AI-driven platform upgrades via FortiOS 8.0 and a SecOps platform expansion, both followed by small positive moves of +0.47%. A Google Cloud Partner of the Year award on Apr 21, 2026 coincided with a stronger +3.22% reaction. Neutral items like the investor briefing webcast on Mar 6, 2026 saw a mild -0.89% move. Today’s skills-gap report continues Fortinet’s narrative around AI, security operations, and workforce development.

This announcement frames Fortinet’s 2026 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report around high breach incidence, rising breach costs, and rapid AI adoption. It highlights that 91% of respondents use AI security tools and 92% plan AI-related cyber training, while Fortinet aims to train 1 million people this year. In recent months, Fortinet has paired such thought leadership with AI-driven product updates and ecosystem awards, so investors may track how these workforce and training themes complement its broader platform strategy.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

04/28/2026 – 09:00 AM

Cybersecurity skills gap challenges persist in a high-stakes landscape where cybercriminals weaponize AI and IT professionals lack proficiency to use AI defensivelySUNNYVALE, Calif., April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today released the 2026 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, revealing the emerging and persistent challenges organizations face as they grapple with ongoing cybersecurity skill shortages and the ever-evolving threat landscape. The global survey’s key findings include: The lack of cybersecurity skills—stemming in part from insufficient investment in cybersecurity talent—remains a top cause of devastating security breaches.Although cyber defenders are effectively leveraging AI-powered tools, upskilling and reskilling are necessary to fully reap the benefits from these advanced technologies.Despite gaps in investment, intentional efforts are being made to attract and retain top-tier cybersecurity talent. “Cybersecurity is not simply a technical issue but a strategic business risk. This year’s survey suggests that while boards generally recognize the importance of cybersecurity, more investment is needed to address key issues, such as rapidly accelerating AI risks and the ongoing cybersecurity skills shortage. Addressing these issues is critical to business resilience in an increasingly complex threat landscape.” – Dr. Carl Windsor, CISO at Fortinet Amid High Stakes, Cybersecurity Must Be Prioritized A lack of cybersecurity skills remains a top cause of devastating security breaches in enterprises. The global survey revealed: The stakes are high: 86% of organizations report one or more breaches in the past 12 months. Fifty-two percent say breaches cost them more than $1 million—up from 38% in 2021. Breaches cost most in North America, with $2 million being the average cost of a breach.Lack of cybersecurity skills remains a top concern: For the third consecutive year, IT leaders cite lack of cybersecurity skills as a top cause of security breaches (56%). Fifty-one percent say that they need senior-level cybersecurity skills most of all, yet 49% struggle to get approval for additional cybersecurity talent. This is surprising as 50% say executives and even board members have faced penalties after a cyberattack, underscoring the risk. Employees’ use of AI creates new cybersecurity challenges that boards fail to understand. The report shows: AI deployment in the enterprise creates risk: Employee use of AI poses a risk that people don’t fully understand. Only half (50%) of leaders believe their board members are “fully aware” of potential risks from AI use.A new skills gap may emerge: As AI adoption continues, 63% expect more need for AI oversight and governance roles on cybersecurity teams over the next three years. Despite the gaps in investment, investment in certifications is up year-over-year. Findings from the report demonstrate the following: Willingness to pay for certifications is up: 92% reveal they would pay for an employee to get certified, up from 73% of respondents in the 2025 report.Dedicated initiatives to identify and nurture talent: To source talent from underrepresented groups, 92% use internships, apprenticeships, partnerships, and programs. Seventy-one percent report formal hiring targets for underutilized talent pools. AI for Cybersecurity Creates Opportunities and Challenges AI-powered cybersecurity tool adoption is widespread as decision-makers see its potential to support cybersecurity teams with their operations. The survey findings reveal: Broad adoption of AI-powered security tools: 91% of respondents are using or experimenting with AI-powered cybersecurity solutions. Skepticism or uncertainty about AI for cybersecurity is 38%, down from 43% in last year’s report.AI supports today’s IT and security professionals: 84% say AI-enhanced security tools are helping IT and security teams be more effective and efficient. This is critical, as cyber defenders and cybercriminals are now equipped with the same technology; 44% of respondents cite defending against AI cybersecurity attacks as a top concern. However, AI is widening the cybersecurity skills gap. At the same time, there are multiple efforts to overcome it. Survey respondents share the following: Investment in skills development: 60% of respondents say their top recruiting challenge is finding cybersecurity talent with specific experience in AI. Today, 92% are likely to invest in AI-related cybersecurity training or certifications in the next 12 months.Implementing programs for reskilling: Organizations say they require staff with new skillsets to support their adoption of AI, including AI model development (55%), AI tool oversight (54%), and security automation (52%). Fifty-nine percent of organizations are developing internal training or reskilling programs to support AI adoption, while 52% are procuring training or reskilling from industry vendors. Business Resilience Requires Investment in Closing the Cybersecurity Skills GapBoard- and executive-level investment in a layered approach to cybersecurity—one that blends people, processes, and technology—is essential. Organizations should continue tapping into underutilized talent pools and investing in training and upskilling to build and retain the expertise they need. This requires a coordinated approach grounded in three key pillars: raising awareness and education, expanding access to targeted training and certification, and deploying advanced security technologies. To help organizations address the challenges they face as a result of the cyber skills gap, the award-winning Fortinet Training Institute provides one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry to make cyber training and new career opportunities available to everyone, and includes a Security Awareness Training service for organizations to develop a cyber-aware workforce. As part of Fortinet’s commitment to addressing this growing challenge, Fortinet is on track to train 1 million people in cybersecurity around the world this year, a pledge that began in 2022. About the Fortinet 2026 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report The survey was conducted among 2,750 IT and/or cybersecurity decision-makers from 32 different countries and locations.Survey respondents come from a range of industries; the top three business sectors include technology (22%), manufacturing (16%), and financial services (11%). Additional Resources About FortinetFortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs. Copyright © 2026 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAgent, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiCNP, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCSPM, FortiCWP, FortiDAST, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiDLP, FortiEdge, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFlex FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiGuest, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPAM, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPoint, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiScanner, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiSRA, FortiStack, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM, FortiXDR and Lacework FortiCNAPP. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

FAQ

What did Fortinet (FTNT) report about breach frequency in the 2026 skills gap report?

Most organizations reported breaches: 86% experienced one or more in the past 12 months. According to Fortinet, this underscores persistent risk and the need for stronger talent, training, and board-level investment in cybersecurity.

How common is AI use in cybersecurity according to Fortinet’s 2026 report for FTNT investors?

AI adoption is widespread: 91% are using or experimenting with AI-powered cybersecurity tools. According to Fortinet, respondents also report 84% find AI tools improve effectiveness, though oversight and skills gaps remain.

What did Fortinet (FTNT) say about certification and training investment in 2026?

Certification willingness rose to 92% of respondents, up from 73% previously. According to Fortinet, 59% are running internal reskilling programs and 52% buy vendor training to close AI-related skill gaps.

How large are breach costs reported in Fortinet’s 2026 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report (FTNT)?

Breach costs are material: 52% of organizations say breaches cost them more than $1 million. According to Fortinet, North America reports the highest average breach cost—about $2 million per incident.

What hiring approval challenges did Fortinet (FTNT) identify for cybersecurity talent in 2026?

About 49% of IT leaders report difficulty getting approval for additional cybersecurity hires. According to Fortinet, this approval gap exists despite executives and board members facing penalties after cyberattacks.

Does Fortinet (FTNT) offer solutions to address the cybersecurity skills gap?

Yes. Fortinet provides broad training via the Fortinet Training Institute and Security Awareness Training services. According to Fortinet, these programs support its pledge to train 1 million people in cybersecurity in 2026.