Charlotte Cybersecurity Job Market: Trends and Growth Areas for 2024

Looking for the latest updates? Check out the 2025 version of this article here.

Alright, let me break it down for you - the cybersecurity job market in Charlotte is absolutely blowing up for 2024! This city is a major tech hub, and companies like Bank of America, Lowe's, and Red Ventures can't get enough skilled professionals to protect their networks and data.

• Cybercrime costs are expected to reach a mind-boggling $10.5 trillion worldwide by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. No surprise that businesses are investing heavily in cybersecurity to keep their assets safe.
• Charlotte's financial services industry is a prime target for cyber threats. In fact, IBM reports that finance and insurance companies experienced the highest costs from data breaches in 2022, averaging a staggering $5.97 million per breach!
• Remote work cybersecurity risks have skyrocketed. As Jessica Wilson from CompTIA put it, "there are more potential entry points for cybercriminals to exploit."

Trust me, if you're considering a career in cybersecurity, Charlotte is the place to be.

The demand is off the charts, and skilled professionals can land great jobs protecting vital systems and data while earning some serious cash. With companies like Microsoft, Bank of America, and Honeywell actively hiring, the opportunities are endless for those with the right skills.

The cybersecurity job market in Charlotte is blowing up like crazy! According to CyberSeek, there are over 17,000 open cybersecurity jobs in North Carolina, with most of them being in Charlotte, Durham, and Raleigh.

Major industries like banking, healthcare, and tech are all amping up their cybersecurity game to protect themselves from threats.

The banking industry can't risk any data breaches, so they're hiring cybersecurity experts left and right to secure their systems.

Healthcare is going digital, so they need professionals to keep patient data safe. And with Charlotte's tech scene exploding, companies are desperate for cybersecurity pros to lock down their apps, networks, and confidential info.

But here's the catch – there's a massive shortage of cybersecurity talent, both locally and globally.

Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that by 2025, there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide.

And according to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, over 60% of local companies struggled to find qualified cybersecurity workers in 2023. So if you've got the skills, you're basically holding the keys to a high-paying, in-demand career in Charlotte.

Charlotte's cybersecurity scene is blowing up, and some seriously major trends are shaping the job market this year.

With remote work becoming the norm, companies are scrambling to lock down their distributed networks and cloud setup. 68% of Charlotte-based businesses reported more cyber attacks during the pandemic, so beefing up remote security is a top priority.

But it's not all doom and gloom.

Charlotte is stepping up its game with some cutting-edge tech like AI and machine learning for next-level threat detection and response. According to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, 47% of local cybersecurity firms are investing in these AI/ML solutions to stay ahead of the curve.

And with businesses going all-in on cloud computing, cloud security is the new hot commodity.

Charlotte's finance and healthcare industries are leading the charge, implementing top-notch cloud security to protect sensitive data and meet strict regulations.

As the Charlotte Cybersecurity Cluster puts it,

Cloud security is no longer an afterthought; it's a strategic necessity for businesses in Charlotte's booming industries.

Other game-changing trends hitting the local job market include:

• Zero Trust Security: A lockdown approach to authentication and access control, with Charlotte's government agencies setting the pace.
• IoT Security: As smart cities and connected devices take over, securing the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem is a top priority for Charlotte's tech companies.
• Managed Security Services: Small and medium-sized businesses in Charlotte are fueling the demand for outsourced cybersecurity solutions.

Charlotte's tech scene is on fire, and the cybersecurity job market is blowing up! With all the big companies setting up shop here, they need some serious talent to keep their networks locked down.

If you're looking to break into this field, check out these hot cybersecurity roles that are in major demand:

• Security Analyst: You'll be the one keeping an eye on all the systems, hunting for any sketchy activity, and putting up roadblocks against potential attacks.
• Security Engineer: These folks are the masterminds behind building and maintaining the security infrastructure, making sure everything is airtight and up to code.
• Penetration Tester: Think of them as the ethical hackers, breaking into systems to expose weaknesses before the bad guys do.
• Cloud Security Specialist: With more companies going cloud-based, these experts ensure that sensitive data and applications in the cloud are locked down tight.

To land one of these gigs, you'll need some serious skills and certs.

We're talking coding chops in Python or Java, mastering security tools like Nessus and Metasploit, and scoring certifications like Security+, CISSP, or GIAC. And don't forget hands-on experience with stuff like network security, risk assessment, and incident response.

The big dogs in Charlotte, like Bank of America, Truist, and Novant Health, are all hiring like crazy for cybersecurity talent.

They know that keeping their systems secure is crucial, and they're willing to pay top dollar for the right people. If you've got the skills and the drive, there's a world of opportunity waiting for you in the Queen City's cybersecurity scene.

If you're trying to break into cybersecurity in Charlotte, you gotta get your skills on point.

The city's got some resources to help newbies get started. Check out Nucamp's Cybersecurity Fundamentals bootcamp for a crash course in network defense, ethical hacking, and more.

It's intense but a solid way to switch careers fast. You can also hit up Mecklenburg Community College for an associate's degree or certs like CISSP and CEH.

But education's just part of the game.

Employers want certs that show you mean business, like Security+, CCSP, and CISSP. Definitely get those under your belt.

And don't sleep on networking – Charlotte's got a tight cybersecurity scene with groups like the Charlotte Cybersecurity Professionals Association and ISSA Charlotte Chapter.

Get connected, find a mentor, and stay up on the latest trends, because landing that first gig is all about who you know.

Alright, let's talk about the future of cybersecurity jobs in Charlotte for 2024 - it's looking straight fire! The city is ranking high on the list of hot spots for these roles, with over 35,000 openings projected and an average salary of $125,000.

That's some serious cash flow right there.

One thing that's really driving this growth is the need for experts in cutting-edge skills like AI and programming.

Companies want pros who can handle advanced tools like SIEM and understand coding languages like JavaScript to stay ahead of those pesky cyber threats. It's a never-ending battle against the bad guys, so skills like these are clutch.

Talking about hot industries, finance, healthcare, and tech firms in Charlotte are seriously stepping up their cybersecurity game.

With all the sensitive data and online systems they deal with, they need skilled cyber warriors to lock things down tight. And let's be real, a data breach could cost them millions, so they're not playing around.

For those looking to break into the field, it's all about leveling up your skills and getting certified.

Check out Nucamp's guide on essential cybersecurity certifications and who's hiring in Charlotte.

With the right training and some hustle, you could land a sweet gig as a Security Analyst or nab one of those high-paying roles at top companies like Rapid7 or SailPoint.