SANS: Data Overtakes Skills as Top Threat Hunting Barrier

SANS Institute surveyed 500 cybersecurity practitioners: 50% cited data quality or quantity as their biggest threat hunting hurdle, up from 41% a year earlier and 34% in 2023. Skills shortages fell to 45% from 61%, while only 37% of programs use formally defined hunting methodologies.

• 50% named data the top barrier, up from 41% last year
• Skills shortages cited by 45%, down from 61% a year ago
• Only 37% use formal hunting methodologies, 39% rely on ad hoc
• Just 39% plan AI/ML adoption, down from 48% last year