- Associate degrees
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Related resources
- Importance of cybersecurity
- Cybersecurity certifications
- Cybersecurity jobs
This guide is about cybersecurity educational and career opportunities in North Carolina.
The following information covers cybersecurity degree program options in North Carolina, as well as some of the economic conditions contributing to the growth of the cybersecurity industry in North Carolina.
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North Carolina’s economy has undergone a massive redistribution over the last few decades. Three of the primary pillars that the state was built on earlier in the 20th century have all been in a major contractionary period.
Tobacco farms as well as furniture and textile manufacturing were once the biggest drivers of North Carolina’s job market, particularly in rural areas.
Fortunately, the state has been able to supply these industries with new contributors, primarily financial intermediaries, biotechnology, information technology, healthcare, and research.
The bulk of this growth has taken place in the main urban centers of the state. But it has certainly been good news for cybersecurity professionals as these industries are important employers of infosec experts.
Bank of America is one of the highest-profile names among North Carolina employers, but not the only one. Lowe’s, US Trust, Family Dollar, and Tyson Foods are a few other examples.
The growing importance of cybersecurity in North Carolina
The state government of North Carolina has been an active proponent of the cybersecurity industry and the employment prospects it holds. It has been a supporter of the Girls Go CyberStart program designed to get young girls interested and involved in cybersecurity technology.
The Department of Information Technology has an Enterprise Security & Risk Management office to keep the community informed of current infosec risks and prevention strategies.
The Secretary of State has instituted a Cybersecurity Initiative to help safeguard the information of state-registered investment advisers and their clients.
In 2018, North Carolina partnered with Cisco and other leading cybersecurity enterprises to provide cybersecurity training to veterans living in the state.
Called CyberVetsUSA, the program offers these training and employment opportunities at no charge to veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard and reservists, and their spouses.
Also in 2018, the state Department of Public Safety and Department of Information partnered to form a new unit to promote cyber awareness and provide “actionable intelligence to private and public sector partners and citizens.”
The North Carolina Center for Cybersecurity (NCCYBER) was founded as a non-profit organization to facilitate communications between industry, academic institutions, and government to address key issues in cybersecurity.
With government support and important users of cybersecurity services in place and growing rapidly, North Carolina’s cybersecurity future seems bright.
Cybersecurity education in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to some of the finest higher learning institutions in the country, particularly when it comes to medical and technological research.
Duke, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina have all been intimately involved in the huge research industry now centered in North Carolina.
However, it’s surprising that North Carolina’s colleges and universities haven’t been more enthusiastic in picking up the cybersecurity mantle thus far.
The state government has shown its support, and the economy has become reliant on technology industries, in particular information technology. Only the University of North Carolina (UNC) among the more renowned institutions has so far invested significantly in developing cybersecurity education programs.
Fortunately, UNC is doing plenty. Its cybersecurity programs are housed within the Department of Software and Information Systems. It established the CyberDNA Research Center to conduct cutting-edge research into information security technology and technics.
UNC school has also established its own Cybersecurity Boot Camp on the Charlotte campus that promises to put students in a position to work in cybersecurity within 24 months.
So UNC, combined with other smaller schools, is providing would-be cybersecurity students with strong options for pursuing their career goals.
Related resources
Cybersecurity associate degrees in North Carolina
The pressure is on all organizations to maintain maximum security of information at all times, and the rapidly evolving technology makes it critical that they keep up. For this reason, the emphasis is on experienced cybersecurity professionals.
The shortfall in personnel supply as compared to demand ensures employers will continue to seek out entry-level infosec professionals to maintain adequate defenses against cyber attacks.
Many employers, particularly larger companies, are happy to consider associate’s degrees as qualifying candidates for these entry-level positions. Associate’s degree programs typically take a year to two to complete.
With that and some experience in real-world cybersecurity, professionals can go back to school and earn a bachelor’s degree or higher when time and resources permit. Associate’s degree courses will often count as credit toward bachelor’s degree programs, making it easier and less expensive to reach completion.
Campus-based associate’s degrees
There are three separate cybersecurity associate’s degree programs currently being offered on North Carolina community college campuses. See details and links below.
Halifax Community College
Weldon, North Carolina
Program: Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity
Credits: 67
Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Campus
Learn more: Program detailsMyComputerCareer
Raleigh, North CarolinaProgram: Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration and Cyber Security
Credits: 72
Cost per credit: $438
Delivery Method: Campus
Learn more: Program detailsWake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North CarolinaProgram: Cybersecurity – AAS Degree
CAE designation: CAE-CD
Credits: 69
Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Campus, Online, Hybrid
Learn more: Program details
Online associate’s degrees
Online options for cybersecurity associate’s degrees in North Carolina are listed below.
Craven Community College
New Bern, North CarolinaProgram: Associate in Applied Science- Cybersecurity and Networking
Credits: 75
Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsMontreat College
Montreat, North CarolinaProgram: Associate Degree in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD
Credits: 60
Cost per credit: $1,047
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsRowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North CarolinaProgram: Associate in Applied Science in Cyber Security
Credits: 70-71
Cost per credit: $76 in-state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program details
Cybersecurity bachelor’s degrees in North Carolina
Cybersecurity being the critical pursuit that it has become, most industry jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related or STEM discipline. Having an undergraduate degree in a cybersecurity specialty will help put a professional’s resume close to the top of the pile for job openings.
Strangely, bachelor’s degree programs are lacking in North Carolina at present, but we would expect that to change soon.
Online bachelor’s degrees
Just one online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree is being offered by North Carolina schools. Montreat College has a program for a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.
Montreat College
Montreat, North CarolinaProgram: Bachelors of Science in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD
Credits: 120
Cost per credit: $425
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program details
Cybersecurity certifications in North Carolina
Certification programs are beneficial for anyone starting in cybersecurity but also for experienced professionals. Various types of certification programs are designed for different audiences.
For beginners trying to decide whether cybersecurity is right for them, certain types of certifications give an introduction to the technologies and techniques being used. Completing such certifications will almost certainly provide job applicants with an advantage for entry-level jobs.
Some cybersecurity certifications are designed to advance study in a distinct specialty, penetration testing, for example, for experienced professionals. These specialized infosec certifications go a long way toward enhancing resumes and help boosting careers.
Still, other cybersecurity certifications are designed to be substitutes for advanced degrees, particularly master’s degrees.
Campus-based cybersecurity certifications
Six campus-based certification programs are now being offered by North Carolina schools. The below list has more information.
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, North CarolinaProgram: Cyber Crime Certificate
Credits: 13
Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Campus
Learn more: Program detailsFayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North CarolinaProgram: Cyber Crime Analysis Certificate
CAE designation: CAE-CD
Credits: 18
Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Campus
Learn more: Program detailsGuilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North CarolinaProgram: Cyber Crime and Digital Forensics Certificate
CAE designation: CAE-CD
Credits: 13
Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Campus
Learn more: Program detailsNorth Carolina State University
Raleigh, North CarolinaProgram: Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-R
Credits: 12
Cost per credit: $526 in state | $1635 out of state
Delivery Method: Campus, Online
Learn more: Program detailsQueens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North CarolinaProgram: Cybersecurity Management Certificate
Credits: 15
Cost per credit: $1,165
Delivery Method: Campus, Online
Learn more: Program detailsSouth Piedmont Community College
Polkton, North CarolinaProgram: Cyber Crime Technology – Cyber Crime Certificate
Credits: 16
Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Campus
Learn more: Program details
Online cybersecurity certifications
There are also four certification programs available via online access. These are listed below:
Craven Community College
New Bern, North CarolinaProgram: Cybersecurity Technician Certificate
Credits: 18
Cost per credit: $76 in state | $268 out of state
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsNorth Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, North CarolinaProgram: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-CD, CAE-R
Credits: 12
Cost per credit: $240 in state | $867 out of state
Delivery Method: Online
Learn more: Program detailsNorth Carolina State University
Raleigh, North CarolinaProgram: Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity
CAE designation: CAE-R
Credits: 12
Cost per credit: $526 in state | $1635 out of state
Delivery Method: Campus, Online
Learn more: Program detailsQueens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North CarolinaProgram: Cybersecurity Management Certificate
Credits: 15
Cost per credit: $1,165
Delivery Method: Campus, Online
Learn more: Program details
Cybersecurity jobs in North Carolina
North Carolina is experiencing high growth in its cybersecurity industry, and the supply of qualified professionals is not keeping up. CyberSeek reports that, currently, there are 37,533 people employed in some aspect of cybersecurity.
Recently, state employers posted 13,591 new job openings for information security professionals. The three largest cities in North Carolina are home to most of these job openings.
North Carolina’s government is taking steps to increase the available labor pool, particularly with efforts to tap into the state’s large veteran population.
Still, the state’s economic makeup being focused on financial intermediaries ensures that demand for new talent will continue to grow as cybersecurity becomes an increasingly pressing issue.
Recently, security analysts were being paid a little less than the national average wages. The average hourly wage is $61.89 and the average annual salary is $128,720 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The standard of living in North Carolina, however, was well below the national average. The relatively low cost of housing is the primary reason it’s cheaper to live in North Carolina. Keep in mind, though, that these are statewide figures.
In areas surrounding the biggest cities housing will, of course, be more expensive, and this is where most of the cybersecurity jobs are. Still, the cost of living in the most expensive city, Charlotte, is significantly lower than national averages.
Cybersecurity in North Carolina
The sea change in North Carolina’s economy in recent decades has come at a time when stores of information are rapidly becoming more vulnerable.
The industries now leading the way in the Tar Heel state – finance, healthcare, information technology, and research – are favored targets of hackers, and thus big users of cybersecurity services.
The state’s government is also providing support for veterans and girls interested in cybersecurity careers. It’s also leading the way in educating the general public about vulnerability and how to avoid being hacked, as well as with its information security.
Recent employment statistics show that cybersecurity employment is growing rapidly. Unfortunately, job demand is growing faster than the availability of qualified cybersecurity employees.
This is creating a seller’s market in North Carolina, greatly favoring professionals possessing the skills to fill critical cybersecurity roles.