Yes, cybersecurity often requires programming skills. Understanding programming languages and concepts can be highly beneficial in cybersecurity. Here are the pros and cons of programming in cybersecurity:

Pros:
1. **Understanding of Vulnerabilities**: A firm grasp of programming languages can help cybersecurity professionals understand vulnerabilities in software and applications. This understanding is crucial in identifying and mitigating potential security risks.

2. **Custom Tool Development**: Proficiency in programming allows cybersecurity experts to develop custom tools and scripts to automate tasks, analyze data, and detect threats more effectively, which can significantly enhance an organization’s security posture.

3. **Forensic Analysis**: Programming skills are valuable in forensic analysis of security incidents. Cybersecurity professionals can use programming to examine log files, conduct memory analysis, and perform other investigative tasks to understand the nature of security breaches.

4. **Penetration Testing**: Programming knowledge is essential for professionals involved in penetration testing and ethical hacking. It is also critical to crafting exploits, understanding vulnerabilities, and simulating real-world attack scenarios.

5. **Scripting Automation**: Programming languages enable the automation of routine security tasks, such as log analysis, system monitoring, and incident response. This can improve efficiency and allow cybersecurity teams to focus on more complex issues.

Cons:
1. **Steep Learning Curve**: Learning programming languages can be challenging, especially for individuals without a background in software development, which can require significant time and effort to attain proficiency.

2. **Maintenance and Updates**: Custom tools and scripts developed for cybersecurity require ongoing maintenance and updates to remain effective. This can add to the workload of cybersecurity professionals already managing multiple responsibilities.

3. **Resource Intensive**: Developing and maintaining custom cybersecurity tools and solutions can be resource-intensive, requiring dedicated time and expertise. Organizations may need to allocate sufficient resources to support these initiatives.

4. **Overemphasis on Technical Skills**: While programming is valuable, overemphasizing technical skills in cybersecurity can overlook the importance of other competencies such as risk management, communication, and policy development.

5. **Dependency on Existing Tools**: In some cases, cybersecurity professionals may rely on existing commercial or open-source tools for security tasks, reducing the immediate need for extensive programming skills.

In conclusion, while programming is not always mandatory for all cybersecurity roles, it can significantly enhance a professional’s capabilities in various aspects of cybersecurity. However, the decision to invest in programming skills should consider the role’s specific requirements and the organization’s needs.