The convergence of AI and cybersecurity has given rise to hybrid professional roles.
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Every year marks another “worst year ever” for cyber-attacks around the globe, a reminder of the escalating scale of digital threats. As cyber-attacks become more advanced, traditional defences are no longer enough, prompting the integration of AI into cybersecurity to detect, predict, and neutralise threats with unprecedented speed and precision.
At the same time, AI systems can themselves be targets, with adversaries exploiting weaknesses in machine learning (ML) models and, as scammers leverage AI, attacks too are becoming more complex. Cybercriminals can now use AI to clone a person’s voice from a short audio clip. The emergence of generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek has created opportunities and risks, necessitating experts who can secure AI while leveraging it to ensure better cyber-resilience in safety-critical contexts.
Hybrid careers
The convergence of AI and cybersecurity has given rise to hybrid professional roles. AI Security analysts protect intelligent defence systems while securing the algorithms behind them. Threat intelligence specialists employ AI-driven analytics to detect malicious activity patterns. Adversarial machine learning researchers study ways attackers could manipulate AI systems and develop safeguards against such attacks.
These careers require deep technical expertise, strategic awareness, and adaptability. Professionals with these capabilities are in demand across technology companies, defence agencies, financial institutions, and research laboratories. According to Grand View Research, in India alone, the AI in Cybersecurity market, which was $868.6 million in 2023, is projected to grow to $7.7billion by 2030, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.6% between 2024 and 2030.
To meet this need, several universities have started offering hybrid Master’s programmes with courses in Cybersecurity and AI that cover cybersecurity essentials such as software and network security, cryptography, and digital forensics, alongside AI disciplines such as scalable machine learning and natural language processing.
Making a choice
With the demand in the job market continuing to grow, the emergence of hybrid Master’s programmes combining Cybersecurity and AI MSc is expected to accelerate in the U.K. For international students, here are a few factors that can help guide them choose the correct programme:
Accreditation: Well-established accreditation bodies in the U.K. and other countries conduct thorough, systematic reviews of programmes to ensure academic rigour, relevance, and alignment with industry needs. In the U.K., the British Computer Society (BCS) accredits Master’s programmes across all areas of Computer Science. For Cybersecurity, the accreditation authority is the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Programmes featuring cybersecurity content can apply for NCSC accreditation, undergoing an in-depth evaluation that includes alignment with the Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK), a government-funded knowledge-systematisation initiative led by the U.K. cybersecurity academics. CyBOK aims “to inform and underpin education and professional training for the cybersecurity sector” and provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art reference resource on cybersecurity.
Research excellence: Many Master’s programmes are managed and taught by one or more research groups within the host institution. A litmus test is to check whether these groups maintain up-to-date research pages showcasing leading work by their academic staff, ideally witnessed by independent evaluation efforts such as the U.K.’s Research Excellence Framework.
Industry links: Look for programmes that highlight concrete connections with industry, such as an industrial advisory board, opportunities for dissertation co-supervision with industry partners, or Master’s industry placement schemes.
The merging of AI and cybersecurity is not just a passing trend; it is the future of digital defence. For students willing to invest in this interdisciplinary path, the opportunities are extensive.
The writers are senior lecturers at the School of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, the U.K.
Published – November 09, 2025 12:00 pm IST
