New Research Reveals Skills-Based Cyber Talent Practices Deliver Over $125,000 in ROI Per Employee

Joint report from WiCyS and FourOne Insights shows mentorship, skills-based promotion, and third-party partnerships dramatically improve retention, hiring speed, and women's advancement in cybersecurity.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new research report from Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) and FourOne Insights has found that skills-based, talent-friendly workforce practices in cybersecurity can deliver significant financial returns while strengthening retention, leadership pipelines, and workforce resilience. The report quantifies the business impact of talent strategies, demonstrating that the most effective practices generate over $125,000 in ROI per cybersecurity employee through faster hiring and longer employee tenure.

Why it matters

The findings come as cybersecurity leaders face intensifying pressure from talent shortages, rapid skill evolution, and persistent demographic headwinds. The research shows that expanding advancement pathways and grounding promotion decisions in objective skills data are essential to sustaining long-term cyber resilience.

The details

The report is based on employer survey data, labor market analytics, and qualitative insights. Key findings include: 1) Skills-based talent practices deliver over $125,000 in ROI per cybersecurity employee; 2) Mentorship and skills-based development increase retention by up to 18%; 3) Skills-based promotion practices drive 10-20% higher representation of women in cyber leadership; and 4) Third-party partnerships like WiCyS accelerate hiring and reduce productivity losses.

  • The report was released on March 12, 2026.

The players

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS)

A nonprofit organization dedicated to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in cybersecurity, founded in 2013 through a National Science Foundation grant.

FourOne Insights

A research and advisory firm focused on the future of work and the impact of emerging technologies on jobs, skills, and organizations.

Lynn Dohm

Executive Director of WiCyS.

Will Markow

Research Director at FourOne Insights.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The data is clear. Workforce resilience is no longer a soft HR issue. It is a measurable business advantage.”

— Lynn Dohm, Executive Director of WiCyS

“Cybersecurity leaders often talk about talent challenges in abstract terms. This research puts real numbers behind what works. Skills-based practices are not just better for workers. They materially reduce hiring friction, improve retention, and deliver clear financial returns for organizations operating in an increasingly constrained labor market.”

— Will Markow, Research Director at FourOne Insights

What’s next

The full report outlines best practices for employers, policymakers, and industry partners to adopt scalable, skills-based talent strategies that improve both workforce outcomes and bottom-line results.

The takeaway

This research demonstrates that investing in skills-based, transparent, and talent-friendly workforce practices in cybersecurity can strengthen cyber teams, improve financial performance, and open leadership pathways that have historically been closed, especially for women.