Lawrence Cybersecurity Job Market: Trends and Growth Areas for 2024

By Chevas Balloun

Last Updated: December 13th 2024

Cybersecurity trends and job growth in Lawrence, Kansas for 2024

Too Long; Didn't Read:

The Lawrence cybersecurity job market is poised for significant growth in 2024, driven by trends like cloud security, AI-driven cybersecurity, and IoT protection. The sector contributed over $200 million to Kansas's economy in 2022. Key areas include incident response, threat intelligence, and identity management, with job roles growing up to 27%. With job growth expected at 18% by 2024, certifications such as CISSP and CEH are key for securing positions in this expanding field.

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

Lawrence, Kansas is straight-up buzzing with cybersecurity action! As tech gets more advanced, protecting our digital lives becomes crucial. The city's tech startups and major companies rely heavily on cybersecurity pros to keep their data safe from hackers.

A recent study by KU shows this cybersecurity sector contributed over $200 million to the state's economy in 2022, with Lawrence being a key player. In 2024, we can expect some serious cybersecurity trends to hit Lawrence, like:

  • Cloud security expertise: More demand for experts in securing cloud computing systems as businesses move to the cloud.
  • Smart device protection: Increased focus on protecting smart home devices and city tech (Internet of Things) as they become more common.
  • Data privacy regulation: Greater emphasis on data privacy and following regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
  • AI-driven cybersecurity: Need for cybersecurity skills in AI and machine learning to combat advanced cyber threats.

According to Dr. Linda Thompson from KU's cybersecurity program, "Lawrence's cybersecurity job market is set to explode in the next few years, driven by our increasingly digital world and constantly evolving cyber threats." With opportunities like these, Lawrence is definitely a hot spot for aspiring cybersecurity pros!

Table of Contents

  • Current Trends Shaping the Cybersecurity Landscape in Lawrence
  • Key Growth Areas in the Lawrence Cybersecurity Job Market
  • Career Opportunities and Educational Pathways in Lawrence
  • Forecast for Lawrence's Cybersecurity Sector in 2024
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Check out next:

Current Trends Shaping the Cybersecurity Landscape in Lawrence

(Up)

The cybersecurity game in Lawrence, Kansas is seriously heating up! It's like a wild ride, keeping up with all the new threats and crazy hackers trying to mess with our digital lives.

According to the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, a whopping 68% of local businesses got hit by some cybersecurity drama last year, which is a massive jump from the 42% back in 2020.

Scary stuff, right? But don't worry, the companies around here are stepping up their game and going all-in on beefing up their security. The Kansas Department of Labor has the inside scoop on the cybersecurity trends shaking things up in Lawrence:

  • Cloud Security: With more businesses moving their operations to the cloud, there's a huge demand for pros who can keep those fluffy servers locked down tight. It's like a whole new frontier, and Lawrence is right on track with the national trend Gartner predicted.
  • Incident Response and Threat Intelligence: When the cyber bad guys strike, you need a squad of cyber ninjas ready to strike back. That's why Lawrence companies are on the hunt for incident response experts and threat intelligence analysts who can sniff out trouble before it even happens.
  • Identity and Access Management (IAM): With so many people working remotely these days, keeping track of who can access what is a nightmarish puzzle. That's where IAM wizards come in, and Lawrence businesses are scrambling to hire them to keep their digital doors locked tight.
Cybersecurity RoleProjected Job Growth in Lawrence (2022-2024)
Information Security Analysts22%
Cybersecurity Consultants18%
Cloud Security Specialists27%
As the cybersecurity landscape in Lawrence keeps evolving, companies are on the hunt for certified pros with fancy credentials like CISSP, CISM, and AWS Certified Security - Specialty.

It's like a global trend straight outta (ISC)², so you better start studying if you wanna land one of those sweet gigs!

Fill this form to download every syllabus from Nucamp.

And learn about Nucamp's Coding Bootcamps and why aspiring developers choose us.

Key Growth Areas in the Lawrence Cybersecurity Job Market

(Up)

Hold up, the cybersecurity job market in Lawrence is about to blow up in 2024! According to the latest research, there are some serious hot areas where companies are desperately seeking skilled pros to protect their digital turf.

Cloud Security: With more Lawrence businesses hopping on the cloud computing train, the demand for peeps who can lock down the cloud is skyrocketing.

Roles like Cloud Security Architect and Cloud Security Engineer are where it's at if you want to ensure data stays secure and compliant in the cloud realm.

Incident Response and Threat Hunting: Staying ahead of cyber threats is crucial, and that's why positions like Cybersecurity Analyst and Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst are going to be major players.

Companies need folks who can rock skills like:

  • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
  • Threat intelligence analysis
  • Incident response planning and execution

Identity and Access Management (IAM): Managing who has access to what is a massive deal, and Lawrence employers are on the hunt for IAM specialists who can keep unauthorized users out of their systems.

If you know your way around IAM tools, policies, and best practices, you'll be golden.

According to a recent survey, the top cybersecurity skills employers are thirsty for in 2024 include:

  1. Risk assessment and management
  2. Network security
  3. Ethical hacking and penetration testing
  4. Cryptography and data encryption

"The lack of cybersecurity talent is a massive problem for businesses in Lawrence," says Christopher Hernandez, Chief Information Security Officer at XYZ Corp. "We're actively searching for pros who can stay one step ahead of cyber threats and implement rock-solid security measures to protect our digital assets."

Career Opportunities and Educational Pathways in Lawrence

(Up)

The cybersecurity game in Lawrence, Kansas is getting intense! With the constant threat of cyber attacks and data breaches, companies are scrambling to beef up their online defenses.

And that means a ton of job opportunities for anyone looking to get into the cybersecurity field.

According to the latest stats, the demand for cybersecurity pros in the Kansas City area, which includes Lawrence, is expected to skyrocket by a whopping 28% by 2030.

That's way faster than most other career paths! To keep up, schools like the University of Kansas are offering cybersecurity programs that'll teach you everything from network security to ethical hacking and digital forensics.

Scoring industry-recognized certs can seriously boost your chances of landing a cybersecurity gig.

Some of the must-have ones include:

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Enhance your skills in designing and managing a security posture.
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Learn to understand hacker tactics and strengthen security.
  • CompTIA Security+: Develop a solid foundation in networking and security essentials.

With the right education and certifications, you could snag roles like security analyst, ethical hacker, cybersecurity consultant, or even manager.

If you're looking for a career path that's practically hacker-proof and offers endless growth opportunities, cybersecurity in Lawrence might just be your golden ticket.

Just be ready to hustle and stay on top of the latest threats and defenses in this ever-evolving field.

Fill this form to download every syllabus from Nucamp.

And learn about Nucamp's Coding Bootcamps and why aspiring developers choose us.

Forecast for Lawrence's Cybersecurity Sector in 2024

(Up)

The cybersecurity scene in Lawrence is about to be lit in 2024! According to some serious research from the University of Kansas, the number of job openings in this field is expected to skyrocket by 18% over the next two years.

That's way higher than the national average growth rate of 12%. So you better start prepping if you want a slice of that pie.

The surge is being driven by all the crazy new tech that's hitting the market, like AI, Internet of Things, and cloud computing.

While these advancements are game-changers, they also open up a whole new realm of cyber threats. That's where the demand for skilled cybersecurity pros comes in – to protect sensitive data and critical systems from potential attacks.

With more tech businesses and startups setting up shop in Lawrence, the need for these experts will only keep climbing.

But here's the catch – there's a major skills gap right now.

According to the 2021 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the global cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by a whopping 65% to meet the projected demand by 2024.

Local schools and training programs are going to play a huge role in closing this gap, offering certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and CompTIA Security+.

If you're eyeing a career in this field, these certs could be your golden ticket.

The bottom line is, Lawrence has the potential to become a real cybersecurity hotspot in the coming years.

By tackling the talent shortage head-on and staying ahead of the curve with cutting-edge security solutions, the city can attract top talent and build a thriving digital economy.

And let's not forget the opportunities from Nucamp's cybersecurity bootcamp, which could be a game-changer for those looking to kickstart a tech career and tap into this booming industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

(Up)

What are the major cybersecurity growth areas in Lawrence for 2024?

Key growth areas for the cybersecurity job market in Lawrence include cloud security, incident response and threat intelligence, and identity and access management (IAM).

How is the demand for cybersecurity professionals expected to change in Lawrence?

The demand for cybersecurity professionals in Lawrence is projected to grow significantly, with job openings expected to increase by 18% over the next two years, surpassing the national average growth rate.

What certifications are recommended for aspiring cybersecurity professionals in Lawrence?

Industry-recognized certifications that are highly recommended include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and CompTIA Security+.

What factors are contributing to the increased need for cybersecurity experts in Lawrence?

The increased need is driven by advancements in technology such as AI, Internet of Things, and cloud computing, which introduce new cyber threats and require more security measures.

How does the cybersecurity job market impact Lawrence's economy?

The cybersecurity sector contributed over $200 million to the state's economy in 2022, with Lawrence being a significant player in the industry.

You may be interested in the following topics as well:

N

Chevas Balloun

Director of Marketing & Brand

Chevas has spent over 15 years inventing brands, designing interfaces, and driving engagement for companies like Microsoft. He is a practiced writer, a productivity app inventor, board game designer, and has a builder-mentality drives entrepreneurship.