Coursera's recently published Job Skills Report hints at the trends that will shape learning and work in 2025. While artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) skills are still behind data analytics when it comes to global demand, the report reveals that GenAI is the fastest-growing skill among employees, students and job-seekers, with most learners coming from emerging markets like India, Columbia, and Mexico.
In 2024, we saw the rise of system security, Linux expertise, and artificial intelligence, alongside the growing importance of data analysis and cybersecurity. As 2025 unfolds, new skillsets are emerging at the forefront of the industry.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, 50% of employees will need reskilling by 2025 to meet the evolving demands of the digital workforce.
Consequently, there are certain tech skills to focus on based on insights from Coursera’s report. It is interesting to note that most of these skills are as a result of a need for more data handling in various sectors of the economy.
Incident management and response
The mindset behind incident management and response is like taking action when thieves break into your house—swift and calculative. As organisations collect vast amounts of data, the ability to respond effectively to security incidents becomes crucial.
In a data breach, professionals skilled in incident management must act quickly to identify, contain, and neutralise the threat.
Think of it like a fire drill: when a security incident occurs, the quicker the response, the less damage it causes. Security teams must not only respond but also learn from these incidents, refining protocols and strengthening defences for future threats.
Keeping up with new types of attacks, like advanced ransomware or zero-day vulnerabilities, is essential to minimising business impact.
Threat management and modelling
Threat Management is like playing chess with hackers, always thinking two moves ahead. In a world where even puppy pics can be a scammer account, companies need sharp minds to predict how attacks might unfold.
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It’s about outsmarting the bad guys before they even get the chance to play. Being good at this is like being the detective who cracks the case before the crime happens.
With more data being generated every day, the task of anticipating and mitigating risks becomes more complex. Come 2025, threat management and modelling will help professionals predict and prepare for potential attacks before they happen.
For instance, if a company deploys a new application, security experts use threat modelling to assess potential risks that could exploit the application’s vulnerabilities.
Rather than waiting for a breach to occur, this proactive approach allows organisations to bolster defences and implement safeguards against common tactics used by hackers, ensuring the infrastructure remains secure.
Security information and event management (SIEM)
SIEM market was expected to grow from $2.98 billion in 2023 to $3.33 billion in 2024, representing a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8%.
This expansion is driven by key factors such as the growing need for continuous security monitoring and auditing, the rising demand for centralised security management, the increasing focus on real-time threat detection and response, and a heightened awareness of cybersecurity risks.
SIEM systems provide real-time monitoring and analysis of security events across an organisation’s network. Imagine an alert system that watches over every part of your digital infrastructure, constantly flagging suspicious behaviours.
When a potential breach is detected, the system instantly raises a red flag, enabling teams to respond quickly. Mastering these tools means professionals can connect the dots between various events, pinpoint vulnerabilities, and fine-tune security measures across the organisation.
Computer security
The world is getting to a place where data breaches can cause financial ruin. The world is getting to a place where data breaches can cause financial ruin. One notable case was the 2017 breach of several banks’ systems which serves as a stark reminder of the dangers. Hackers gained access to sensitive customer data, including personal and financial details, which led to significant financial losses.
The breach not only affected the banks' operations but also severely damaged customer trust, leading to public outcry and regulatory scrutiny. This incident raised serious concerns about the security of online banking platforms in the country and the broader financial sector.
This is where computer security personnel come in. The fundamental building blocks of cybersecurity, such as encryption, firewalls, and malware protection, remain critical to every company.
Professionals skilled in computer security ensure that digital systems are built securely from the ground up, whether by securing code or protecting networks from unauthorised access.
For example, a security expert could identify flaws in an application’s code that make it vulnerable to exploitation and rewrite it to be more secure. These skills will always be in demand as every business depends on secure technology to function.
Vulnerability management
Think of vulnerability management as conducting regular health check-ups for your tech systems. Just as doctors detect potential illnesses before they become serious, these experts find and fix weak points before hackers can exploit them.
From running security assessments to deploying emergency patches, they’re like digital doctors keeping businesses in tip-top shape.
Preventing cyberattacks before they exploit weaknesses is at the core of vulnerability management.
By identifying and addressing potential flaws in systems, whether through patching software, conducting security assessments, or running penetration tests, professionals can fortify a company’s defences.
For instance, consider a scenario where a vulnerability is identified in the operating system that could allow an attacker to gain administrative privileges. A vulnerability management expert would patch this weakness swiftly, preventing exploitation. This proactive defence strategy keeps companies a step ahead of cybercriminals.
Network planning and design
If you’ve ever used the Internet without noticing a lag while browsing, thank these behind-the-scenes architects. When it comes to network planning and design, security and efficiency are the main priorities. As companies grow and expand their digital footprint, designing an infrastructure that is both scalable and secure becomes quite important.
For instance, a growing business may need a network that can handle high traffic volumes and sensitive data transfers without compromising security. Network architects who design systems that integrate redundancy, encryption, and firewalls ensure that the infrastructure is both resilient and protected against malicious activity, enabling smooth and secure business operations.
Network management and monitoring
Companies want to monitor their activities on a digital highway. It’s simple; managing the health of a network is key to maintaining consistent performance. Network management and monitoring professionals oversee the system to ensure that all components, from servers to network traffic, are running smoothly.
In practice, it entails identifying potential slowdowns, security threats, or hardware failures before they become serious problems.
For example, a network manager may monitor server traffic and spot unusual activity indicating a potential security breach. Responding to issues early minimises the impact of any disruptions and ensures that networks continue to function optimally.
Software documentation
This tech skill is particularly important. Most software can get you stuck and leave you wondering what the next step should be. Software documentation is essential for scaling tech operations and ensuring that complex systems are accessible to everyone involved.
A technical writer translates intricate processes into simple, understandable instructions that guide developers and other team members.
For example, if a development team is working with a complex software tool, clear documentation helps them understand how to use the tool effectively, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate on future updates. As companies grow, streamlined documentation becomes a valuable resource for ensuring smooth collaboration and efficient scaling of operations.
Infrastructure security
As hybrid and remote work models gain popularity, securing both on-site and cloud infrastructures is becoming a more challenging target to hit. Infrastructure security focuses on protecting systems, whether they are housed on-premise or in the cloud.
For example, implementing multi-factor authentication for employees accessing the cloud and regular audits of both on-premise and cloud systems ensures that access is secure.
A strong infrastructure security strategy protects sensitive data, prevents unauthorised access, and ensures business continuity, especially as organisations navigate an increasingly distributed work environment. This skill will become very important as more companies embrace remote or hybrid work systems.
Data analysis expressions (DAX)
At a time when data is key to decision making, DAX is an invaluable skill for turning raw data into actionable insights.
In a retail business, for instance, DAX can be used to analyse customer purchase behaviour and visualise trends over time using Power BI.
By creating dynamic reports and dashboards, professionals can help businesses track performance metrics and identify areas for improvement.
As organisations become more data-driven, mastering tools like DAX enables professionals to shape the decisions that drive business success. In 2025, knowing how to harness data like this will be the difference between guessing and knowing what comes next.