Cybersecurity talent retention starts with good leadership
The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is usually seen as a recruitment problem. New research from The Hague suggests there is another side to the challenge: keeping the people who already work in the sector.
Research by the Municipality of The Hague, conducted in collaboration with MultiTeam Solutions, found that cybersecurity professionals who feel competent in their work and supported by their direct managers report lower levels of stress, burnout and intention to leave their organisation.
The findings point to leadership and workplace culture as important factors in addressing the cybersecurity talent shortage. The Hague is now putting those findings into practice by offering free leadership training to professionals in the sector from November 2026.
Cybersecurity is a highly specialised field. Many managers started their careers as technical experts before progressing into leadership positions because of their knowledge and experience. But managing people requires a different set of skills. Solving a complex technical problem is not the same as giving constructive feedback, recognising when workloads become unsustainable or helping colleagues develop professionally. The research therefore identifies an opportunity to develop technical and leadership skills more closely together.
“We invest heavily in training and attracting cybersecurity talent, but we also need to make sure that the people already working in the sector want to stay. This research shows that good leadership can make an important difference. When someone moves from being a technical specialist into a management role, they take on a completely new set of responsibilities,”
Richard de Mos, Alderman of the Municipality of The Hague
One particularly relevant factor is a sense of competence:
Knowing that you are good at your job and that your contribution is recognised. That can be challenging in cybersecurity, where success often goes unnoticed. Preventing an attack, identifying a vulnerability or keeping systems secure may result precisely in something not happening. According to the research, consciously recognising progress and achievements can therefore help professionals see the value and impact of their work.
The research also provides insight into what causes stress. Among respondents who answered the open-ended question on this topic, 32 per cent identified changing priorities and management as their main source of stress. High workloads and staff shortages accounted for 21 per cent, while 20 per cent pointed to unclear expectations or insufficient support.
At the same time, respondents particularly valued their colleagues, the work itself and the feeling that their work contributes to something important. The findings suggest that retaining talent is not simply about whether people enjoy working in cybersecurity, but also about the environment in which they are expected to do that work.
The Hague is using the findings to strengthen its cybersecurity ecosystem. From November 2026, the municipality will offer fully funded leadership training for professionals working in the sector. The programme will focus on practical leadership skills, including recognising and addressing excessive workload and pressure, providing feedback that supports professional development, and acknowledging progress and achievements.
By investing in the people who manage cybersecurity professionals, The Hague aims to complement efforts to educate and attract new talent with another important part of the equation: creating an environment in which existing professionals can continue to develop and want to stay.
As one of Europe's leading centres for peace, justice and security, The Hague is home to a growing cybersecurity community of companies, government organisations, knowledge institutions and international organisations. Strengthening leadership within that community can contribute to a more resilient and future-proof cybersecurity sector, both in the city and beyond.
About the research
Retaining Talent Is a Leadership Capability was conducted by the Municipality of The Hague in collaboration with MultiTeam Solutions between mid-2025 and early 2026. It combines a quantitative survey among 86 cybersecurity professionals with three focus groups and focuses on the Dutch cybersecurity sector.
