This guide covers everything you should know about cybersecurity in Miami, Florida. You’ll find relevant information security facts, schools, certifications, bootcamps, and salaries.
In this guideMiami may be more popular for pristine beaches, glitz, and nightlife, but “The Magic City” also has a respectable number of cybersecurity and other tech-related opportunities. In 2022, Miami-based cybersecurity and risk management company Conquest Cyber was ranked as South Florida’s fastest-growing company.
However, cybersecurity remains a major concern in Miami. Multiple companies, especially those in the city’s major industries (education, healthcare, and tourism), have experienced destructive cyberattacks recently.
- In September 2020, the country’s fourth-largest school district, Miami-Dade Schools’ online learning, was crippled by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) cyberattack. This wasn’t the first time the school district experienced a cyberattack.
- Miami-based technology provider, Intcomex also suffered a major data breach that comprised nearly 1 TB of users’ data.
- Earlier in February 2020, North Miami Beach was affected by a cyberattack.
- A year later, the University of Miami reported a data breach that compromised patient medical records in the UM Health System.
Although Miami may not be a major cybersecurity hub just yet, these series of cyberattacks mean there is an increasing need for experts. Information security is also gradually becoming a mainstay in the city’s economy.
Miami has a decent amount of cybersecurity educational opportunities. For example, Florida International University in Miami has a preeminent program, Cybersecurity@FIU, which takes a multi-faceted approach to teaching cybersecurity.
The program provides different cybersecurity qualifications, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, Undergraduate & Graduate Certifications, Professional Education, and Fellowships. Miami University is also ranked as a top 50 public university nationwide, making it a great place to get your cybersecurity degree.
You can also get certified at industry-recognized certification providers in the city or attend bootcamps.
Cybersecurity courses and training available in Miami
There are several information security courses and training in Miami that can be taken on-site or online. Some training providers also offer in-person delivery formats at any chosen location for organizations or groups who want to train their staff/members. If you’re in Miami, below are some cybersecurity courses and training in your city.
Sun Training Center CompTIA A+ Course
This is an in-person course at Sun Training Center’s facility, 12595 S.W 137 Ave., Suite 203, Miami, Florida 33186.
Duration: This course lasts 4 weeks.
Aim: Sun Training Center’s CompTIA A+ course prepares students for the certification exam and provides beginners in the IT industry with basic knowledge of computing concepts. The course prioritizes the practical application of skills and techniques in hardware and software installations, troubleshooting, and upgrades.
Modules: Students will learn to set up and upgrade computer systems, diagnose & isolate faulty components, install/connect peripherals, and optimize system performance. There is also a hands-on lab to provide students with complex problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Course cost: This information is available on request. Find out more about Sun Training Center’s CompTIA A+ course and registration details.
BrainStation Cybersecurity Course
Brainstation’s cybersecurity course in Miami is only available online.
Duration: 9 to 12 weeks.
Aim: This comprehensive course provides fundamental knowledge and critical skills to become a cybersecurity professional.
Modules: Students will learn computer networking, information systems, cyber threat intelligence, threat identification, preventative security, cybersecurity tools, and incident management, among others.
Course cost: The course costs $3,250 for a single payment. You can also spread your payment up to 12 months. See more info about the BrainStation cybersecurity course.
Certstafiix CompTIA Security+ Course
Although this is an instructor-led online course, Certstaffix can send a private tutor to your location in Miami if you have a team needing the same training. You can also buy a self-paced eLearning course to learn at your convenience.
Duration: This is a 5-day course.
Aim: This course prepares students for the CompTIA Security+ Exam SYO-601. It covers all the exam objectives. Success in this exam provides candidates with the highly-rated CompTIA Security+ certification.
Modules: Students will be taught essential security technologies, handling threats & cyberattacks, cryptography, and identity management.
Course cost: The course costs $2,195. Groups will need to request a quote for on-site training in Miami.
See the complete information about the Certstaffix CompTIA Security+ course.
Other similar schools to Certstaffix that provide only live online instructor-led cybersecurity courses are Flatiron School, NobleDesktop, and TechTalent South. You can also attend conferences hosted by HackMiami.
Cybersecurity bootcamps and certifications available in Miami
Attending a bootcamp is an effective way to transition into cybersecurity quickly, especially if you previously don’t have any experience. It can also help advance your professional career because a bootcamp can improve your skills and competency in an information security specialty. Here are some bootcamps and certifications in Miami.
Miami Dade College – Cyber Defense Certificate of Professional Preparation (C.P.P)
The Cyber Defense program is a one-year cybersecurity specialty for professionals who protect and defend information systems and architecture from threats. It is a Certificate of Professional Preparation designed for current and aspiring professionals who want to work in cybersecurity operations.
The course is held on campus at Miami Dade College, 300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132. The program covers modules in firewalls, IDS alerts, and network traffic logs. Tuition depends on different factors, but there is a $30 non-refundable application fee.
Find more information about the Miami Dade College Cyber Defense program.
University of Miami Division of Continuing & International Education – Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp
The UM cybersecurity bootcamp is a 370-hour extended online program that introduces students to networking and network security fundamentals. Students will learn security principles on Linux and Microsoft platforms, threat actors, and offensive security. The extended program costs $15,500, and a 30-hour introductory course costs $500 for a total of $16,000. Learn more about the UM Cybersecurity Professional Bootcamp.
The Academy: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Boot Camp
This is a 5-day bootcamp held at The Academy’s Miami Campus at 3721 NW 7 Street Suite 3721-1 Miami, FL 33126. You can also learn live online with an instructor or through self-paced videos. The course prepares students for the ISC CISSP exam.
Students will acquire critical knowledge required for management-level cybersecurity professionals. Learning objectives include security and risk management, asset security, communication, and network security, identity and access management, and software development security. This course costs $2,995.
Before taking this course, you’re required to have 5 years of information security experience or 4 years of experience with a college degree or equivalent. See more info about The Academy’s CISSP course and other network security classes.
Industry-recognized cybersecurity certification training in Miami
If you’re a beginner that needs cybersecurity certificates to strengthen your résumé or a professional who wants to prepare for professional exams, here are industry-recognized certification providers in Miami:
- DADE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY: This institution prepares graduates for Information Technology and Information Security careers. Dade Institute of Technology is located at 1140 NE 163rd Street Ste 21-23, North Miami Beach, FL 33162.
- SUN TRAINING CENTER: Sun Training provides industry standard and employer-driven cybersecurity training at 12595 S.W 137 Ave., Suite 203, Miami, Florida 33186.
Cybersecurity schools and degrees in Miami
Getting a cybersecurity degree is another great way to enter the industry or develop your career. In addition, some professional exam bodies require a college degree or equivalent before writing the exams. Below is a list of cybersecurity schools and degrees in Miami.
Cybersecurity associate degree programs in Miami
| School | Program |
| Miami Dade College | Cybersecurity AS |
| CBT Technology | AS in Network Administration, |
Cybersecurity bachelor of science programs in Miami
| School | Program |
| Miami Dade College | Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity |
| Florida Technical College | Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology with Emphasis in Cybersecurity |
| Miami University | Information and Cybersecurity Management Major – Bachelor of Science in Business, Cybersecurity Management Minor |
| Florida International University | Cybersecurity (B.S),Information Systems – Business Information Systems Security (B.B.A) |
| Barry University | Computer Science (BS) with Specialization in Cybersecurity,Computer Information Sciences (BS) with Specialization in Cybersecurity |
Cybersecurity master’s degree programs in Miami
| School | Program |
| St Thomas University | MBA in Cybersecurity |
| Florida International University | Cybersecurity (M.S.),Energy Cybersecurity (M.S.),Information Systems – Business Cybersecurity Track (M.S.) |
| University of Miami | Electrical and Computer Engineering MSECE with Cybersecurity Concentration |
Online Cybersecurity master’s degree programs in Miami
| School | Program |
| Florida International University | Network Security (M.S.) |
Due to the high number of university cybersecurity programs and other training throughout the state, Florida has the country’s fifth-highest cybersecurity employment level. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the State Cybersecurity Act (H.B. 1297) into law to address security threats based on input from a cybersecurity task force.
Since then, cybersecurity opportunities in the state have gradually grown. See complete information about cybersecurity in Florida, including schools, degrees, bootcamps, and certificates.
Cybersecurity jobs, salaries, and companies in Miami
In 2021, CompTIA ranked Florida number 2 among US states in technology job growth. As the state’s second-largest city, Miami contributes significantly to that technological advancement.
Many household tech companies are the largest employers in Miami. For example, Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Tech Data, Oracle, and SAP have regional headquarters in the city and employ thousands of people.
Between October 2021 and September 2022, an estimated 13,823 workers were employed in the cybersecurity workforce in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area. However, there were more than 10,000 cybersecurity job openings for different roles.
If you’re applying for a cybersecurity role in Miami, here are the average salaries in the city, according to the job-seeking platform Indeed.
CYBERSECURITY ANALYST
- A cybersecurity analyst in Miami earns an average salary of $70,512 annually.
- Skills required – Azure, Encryption, COBIT, ISO 27001, Active Directory, Computer Networking, IDS, and Firewall.
PENETRATION TESTER
- The average salary for a Penetration Tester in Miami is $122,220.
- Skills required: Burp Suite, AWS, .NET, Bash, Information Security, C#, Encryption, and C++.
SYSTEMS ENGINEER
- The average salary for a Systems Engineer in Miami is $88,319.
- Skills required: DNS, AWS, Azure, Active Directory, C++, C, Computer Networking, Java, Leadership & Communication Skills.
CYBERSECURITY CONSULTANT
- A cybersecurity consultant’s average salary in Miami is $92,901.
- Skills required: Cloud Security, Information Security, Security Foundation & Threat Intelligence, Preventative Antivirus, NIST Standards, Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service.
CYBERSECURITY MANAGER
- The average salary for this role in Miami is $133,679.
- Skills required: Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Management, Cloud Security, Cybersecurity Strategy, Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service, and Security Insider Threat Management.
CYBERSECURITY ARCHITECT
- The Cybersecurity architect role in Miami has an average salary of $181,684.
- Skills required: Cloud Security, SABSA, Public Cloud Security, Container Security, and Microservices.
Presently, Miami doesn’t yet compare to cyber cities like Houston, the Silicon Valley cities, Washington, D.C, New York, and Dallas in cybersecurity opportunities. The location quotient of cybersecurity jobs in Miami (1.2) is around the national average (1.0).
However, with several educational opportunities at top-rated universities and a slew of technology companies in the area, Miami is still an excellent place to start and advance your cybersecurity career. As a perk, you will also experience beautiful beaches, art, and fantastic warm weather!