According to reports from the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, the federal government employs roughly one-quarter of the workforce in Washington, DC. When we add in government support companies like defence contractors, law firms, civilian contractors, and lobbying companies, we obtain a picture of the driving force behind the majority of the district’s economic activity. It also demonstrates why the District of Columbia region has the country’s single most densely concentrated cybersecurity workforce. And why it’s the sector with the most qualified information security workers. The career options in and around Washington, DC are among the most diverse in the United States, as well as among the simplest to come by.
The Cybersecurity Climate in Washington DC
The national centre for intelligence, military, and political communities is Washington, DC. The private corporate government support network is also important, and it serves as a key repository for extremely sensitive data. As a result, it serves as the national hub for important information networks and databases, as well as those for many international organisations with a presence in the United States. The District of Columbia has an urgent need for the best and brightest cybersecurity specialists, which is unlikely to change in the near future.
Cybersecurity Education in Washington DC
It’s a little neighbourhood. As a result, the District of Columbia has a small number of colleges and universities. However, the ones that are there are world-class educational institutions. And a few of them are stepping up to provide robust cybersecurity degree and certification programmes on their own. Both George Washington University and Georgetown University offer excellent cybersecurity programmes. However, given that these schools are located in Washington, DC, it’s not unexpected that they are similarly pricey to attend. Those who cannot pay the full price tag will need to take advantage of all available scholarship possibilities.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
As previously noted, the majority of long-term cybersecurity career routes today require at least a bachelor’s degree, typically in a related technological sector. Employers are particularly interested in STEM degrees. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, on the other hand, will help you land a job.
Campus-Based Bachelor’s Degrees in Washington DC
Colleges and universities in the District of Columbia now only offer one cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programme. George Washington University makes it available in an on-campus manner. Cybersecurity at GWU Students who already have an associate’s, applied associate’s, or non-technical bachelor’s degree can enrol in the Bachelor’s Degree Completion programme. Classes are held in two sites in Virginia. Students may transfer up to 60 credits from other colleges when they finished another degree programme. There are currently no cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programmes offered in an online format by Washington, D.C. schools.
MASTER’S DEGREE
As the sector evolves and more management and leadership roles are established, master’s degrees in cybersecurity disciplines are becoming more in demand. Master’s degrees in cybersecurity are very crucial for academic and research positions.
Campus-Based Master’s Degrees in Washington DC
There are now eight cybersecurity master’s degree programmes offered by colleges in the District of Columbia. On-campus and online forms are equally distributed. George Washington University is leading the way, offering two master’s degree programmes in each delivery method. For more details, see the table below.
Online Master’s Degrees in Washington DC
For those who prefer the convenience of online learning, four online master’s degree programmes with cybersecurity concentrations are now available in Washington, DC. Two of the four are from George Washington University, while the other two are from Georgetown University. More details can be found in the list below.
CERTIFICATIONS
Cybersecurity certification programmes can be a great way to supplement your education beyond a traditional degree programme. Certifications should be obtained by new students and established professionals alike whenever possible, ranging from introductory curricula to easier to finish surrogates for master’s degrees. Professionals in the early stages of their careers might pursue concentrated specialised certifications, such as penetration testing, to further their knowledge in a certain field. At the moment, the number of cybersecurity certification programmes offered by Washington DC colleges is limited, but this is expected to rise in the future as demand grows.
Campus-Based Cybersecurity Certifications in Washington DC
Campus-based education is now available for two certification programmes provided by District of Columbia universities. A Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance is offered by George Washington University. A Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity is also available from Howard University.
Online Cybersecurity Certifications in Washington D.C.
Only two online cybersecurity certification programmes are currently available from a District of Columbia college, and both are offered by Georgetown University. A Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Risk Management and a Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity Strategy.
Cyberecurity Programs in Washington D.C.
Cybersecurity Jobs in Washington DC
The District of Columbia is, without a doubt, a microcosm of the United States. DC-specific cybersecurity data is not readily available because it is not a state and is so economically connected with neighbouring areas. The Washington DC area, when combined with the surrounding metropolitan regions of Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, has the highest concentration of cybersecurity professionals and employment demand in the country. In the year ending September 2019, this region had 105,491 cybersecurity experts, according to Cyberseek. During that time, firms advertised 64,089 new job vacancies in the information security field. During the same time span, the latter amount is more than two times the positions listed in the New York City area and three times the experience in the Los Angeles area. This region also has the highest concentration of leading cybersecurity firms in the country. The cybersecurity professional market is more than seven times as dense as the average metropolitan region in the United States. And, given the scarcity of competent cybersecurity specialists in comparison to the high demand, the Washington, DC area is one of the most congested in the country. The demand for workers significantly outnumbers the available labour. The District of Columbia’s cybersecurity job market is extremely competitive, resulting in some of the highest pay rates in the country. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in Washington DC was $56.77, and the average annual compensation was $118,080, using the position security analyst as a proxy for information security pay rates in general. The District of Columbia is ranked third in the country for highest-paid cybersecurity specialists, trailing only New York and New Jersey. These high pay rates, of course, come at a price: the expense of living. Washington, DC is without a doubt one of the most expensive cities in the country to live in. The cost of living in that country is expected to be more than 50% greater than in the United States. However, because it is such a small region, it is not necessary to live in the District of Columbia in order to work there. The cost of living in townships within commuting distance is much lower. It will depend on what an acceptable commute is, especially considering the road system around DC is one of the most congested in the country.
Cybersecurity in Washington DC
The information, systems, and networks of the US federal government are the ultimate reward for cybercriminals. As a result, the District of Columbia and its environs are by far the largest, most important, and densely populated job market for cybersecurity experts. The variety of information security positions accessible and the number of firms in need of highly experienced information assurance specialists is unrivalled anywhere in the United States. Only New York and New Jersey have lower cybersecurity pay rates than Washington, DC. The number of educational options is restricted, however this is due to the fact that there are few schools and institutions inside the city limits of the nation’s capital. Both Georgetown and George Washington universities offer a variety of high-level education options, including degrees and certifications, that provide excellent opportunities for cybersecurity professionals to establish a presence in what is likely the world’s largest information security job market. Many additional educational opportunities can be found in the neighbouring states of Maryland and Virginia.
