Cybersecurity Classes Atlanta, GA

As in several other job markets, cybersecurity is booming in Atlanta. The nationwide crunch in this essential sector continues unabated, leading to employers advertising beyond the local region to attract qualified candidates.

Atlanta has a long-term reputation as an expanding tech leader. In part, this is due to the Augusta U.S. Army Cyber Command, a mere two hours from Atlanta. With its temperate climate, affordable cost of living, and pro sports teams like the MLB Braves and NFL Falcons, Atlanta promises to keep growing.

Cybersecurity Jobs & Compensation in Atlanta

Atlanta’s cybersecurity job market is booming. This key area is part of a growth in-demand fueled by the explosion of AI in the IT community. The Atlanta region offers more growth than most Southeast cities, thanks to a tech ecosystem currently experiencing a talent shortfall. Top roles include the following:

• Cybersecurity Analysts can earn close to $90,000 annually on average in Atlanta, less than the national average but commensurate with Atlanta’s affordable cost of living
• By contrast, Cybersecurity Architects are among the highest-paid Atlanta cybersecurity pros, averaging around $172,000 annually—14% above the national average
• Cybersecurity Project Managers in Atlanta also earn high salaries, around $140,000 annually
• DevOps Engineers earn slightly less than the above-mentioned positions, though their annual average of $111,000 runs higher than that of Cybersecurity Analysts in Atlanta
• Network Security Engineers are some of the highest-paid cybersecurity pros in Atlanta, with an average annual salary of around $195,000—an impressive 68% higher than the national average

These figures represent average base salaries according to Indeed, though some companies may offer substantially higher salaries. When multinational corporations post cybersecurity openings, they often attract applicants from the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic willing to relocate for Atlanta’s temperate climate and affordable housing.

Essential Atlanta Industries & Employers

The Atlanta economy is a major hub in the U.S. Southeast region. Essential industries include the following:

• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)
• Business & Professional Services
• Education & Health Services
• Government
• Trade, Transportation & Utilities

Among these, the trade-transportation-utilities supersector far outpaces other sectors. This industry offers massive opportunities for cybersecurity professionals. Warehousing and trucking companies need effective systems to protect sensitive data, and wholesale and retail merchandising even more so.

The other top industry that requires the greatest number of high-level cybersecurity solutions is business and professional services. IT companies, accounting services, and law firms especially must implement enterprise-grade cybersecurity measures like robust authentication and data encryption.

Finally, an obvious choice for many cybersecurity professionals is the banking, financial services, and insurance sector, or BFSI. This essential supersector includes everything from traditional banks to wealth management or investment advisory services, FinTech startups, and payment processing services. Individuals in this industry may need specialized finance knowledge in addition to cybersecurity-related certification credentials.

Companies Hiring Cybersecurity Workers

Top Atlanta-area employers for cybersecurity pros include:

• Cisco
• Delta Airlines
• Equifax
• Ernst & Young
• Home Depot
• Piedmont Healthcare

Atlanta also hosts numerous cybersecurity companies. Among those leading the charge:

• Accenture
• Crowdstrike
• DeepRoot Technologies
• Fogo Solutions
• Palo Alto Networks
• Protiviti
• Synoptek

Companies with recent job listings for essential roles like Cybersecurity Analyst include Home Depot, Rheem Manufacturing, and Truist Bank. Those seeking highly skilled and experienced Senior Security Engineer positions include AT&T, Delta Airlines, and Lockheed Martin. Not all postings include salary information, so applicants should read them thoroughly for company requirements.

Atlanta Cybersecurity Trends

One of the most common trends in cybersecurity today, both in Atlanta and nationally, is certification credentials. Some organizations require one or more certifications, while others prefer candidates to have several. For example, a recent Atlanta job posting from a large corporation listed CISSP, CISM, CISA, and several others considered desirable. Today’s top certifications include:

• CompTIA Security+—Demonstrates that the certification holder can assess, monitor, and analyze an organization’s environment and detect security events or incidents.
• Certification Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)—Shows that the candidate has five-plus years of cybersecurity-related experience in at least two CISSP domains.
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)—Demonstrates the holder’s awareness of the latest tools and methodologies cybercriminals use.
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CSSP)—Gives professionals with several years in security and IT a leg up if they want to specialize in cloud security.
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)—This certification is a preferred designation for IT management staff, showing that the holder can advance from the technical to managerial side of security.

According to Nucamp, Atlanta cybersecurity roles will grow 32% between 2022 and 2032, massively outpacing the nationwide average for overall occupations. This trend promises to bring more companies to Atlanta’s already-booming cybersecurity job market.

The city has other advantages that also contribute to the trend. A combination of 35% unfilled cybersecurity positions, a competitive corporate tax rate (5%), and annual average salaries for many security roles exceeding six figures make Atlanta a city of opportunity.