Georgia is the 24th-largest state in terms of land area, but the 8th-largest in terms of people. The Atlanta metropolitan area is home to around 60% of the state’s people. And throughout the past few decades, the Atlanta region has accounted for the majority of Georgia’s economic growth. Financial services and technology are now pillars of the state’s economy, having emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, UPS, SunTrust Banks, Anthem, and Honeywell are among Georgia’s 17 Fortune 500 companies. The state of Georgia has seen a surge in demand for cybersecurity expertise in the last year. Georgia was ranked 8th in the USA in terms of new cybersecurity job vacancies, trailing only North Carolina. Aside from the significant financial services business, the state government has backed the development of the cybersecurity industry and strengthened the state’s information security readiness.
Growing Importance of Cybersecurity in Georgia
The Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) was established by the Georgian government in the year 2000. It was one of the first government-backed cybersecurity organisations in the United States. One of GTA’s responsibilities is to keep the state’s information technology infrastructure safe. The governor then announced the formation of the Georgia Cyber Center in Augusta in January 2017, and proceeded to build a $100 million facility to house the Center. Its two-fold objective is to educate the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and to support the state’s creative cybersecurity startups. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) completed a case study in 2017 on how Georgia structured and carried out its efforts to improve cybersecurity in the state. The report was utilised as a model for other countries to follow in terms of good cyber governance. The Georgia Cyber Center launched the Cybersecurity Workforce Academy in 2018 to train cybersecurity experts working in state agencies. In order to offer cybersecurity certificate programmes, the Academy and the Center have teamed up. Several undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity education programmes are also supported by the Center. In 2020, Fort Gordon in Augusta will become the national headquarters of the United States Army Cyber Command, which will oversee all of the Army’s cybersecurity operations. More than 4,700 high-tech military professionals will be moved to Georgia under the plan. A “cyber range” will be included in the command centre, which will give real-world cyber warfare training and technology research. The state plans to use it to help train young children who are interested in cybersecurity, in addition to boosting the nation’s information security. Georgia’s economic prosperity, like that of the rest of the country, will be primarily determined by the state’s capacity to train and attract cybersecurity specialists in the future. What has to be done is already well understood by the government and business community. Georgia, unlike many other states, is taking the challenge seriously, which should help the cybersecurity industry prosper there.
Cybersecurity Degrees in Georgia
Georgia’s colleges and universities, notably the state university system, are taking their involvement in cybersecurity initiatives seriously thanks to state government backing. Augusta University, Columbus State University, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, Middle Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, and the University of North Georgia are among the eight schools that have been designated as Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency. For information security newbies, Georgia Tech has created a Cyber and Network Security Boot Camp. The programme comprises of 24 weeks of night and weekend classes designed to introduce cybersecurity to both IT experts and novices. The goal is to generate students who are well-versed in a variety of cybersecurity topics. In Athens, Georgia, the University of Georgia established the Institute for Cybersecurity and Privacy (ICSP). The objective of ICSP is to serve as a “state hub for cybersecurity research and education.” The National Security Agency has classified the institute as a Cybersecurity Research CAE. Kennesaw State was the first US educational institution to be designated as a CAE by the NSA in 2004, and it has held several CAE designations since then. The Institute for Cybersecurity Workforce Development at the school was established to administer the institution’s cybersecurity education programmes and to collaborate with state authorities on public information security measures. Given Georgia’s commitment to be a leading influencer in cybersecurity and the resources that the state university system is bringing to bear, there are likely few states better positioned to deliver a quality education, learning environment, and post-graduation career possibilities than Georgia. This is especially true for bachelor’s degrees. In Georgia, bachelor’s degree and certificate programmes abound. However, there are currently no associate’s or Ph.D. programmes available, but this is expected to change in the coming years.
ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE
Associate’s degrees in cybersecurity usually take a year or two to complete, making them an excellent option to bachelor’s degrees for people who don’t have the time or finances to finish a four-year programme. There are plenty of entry-level cybersecurity positions available, and firms are willing to hire associate’s degree holders. Professionals who have established a foothold in cybersecurity can return to school for a bachelor’s degree when time and money allow. Associate’s degree curriculum is frequently accepted as credit toward bachelor’s degree requirements, making the next step easy.
Campus-Based Associate’s Degrees in Georgia
In Georgia, there are presently only two associate degree programmes in cybersecurity. Both are campus-based, with no online degree programmes available at this time. Augusta Technical College offers a Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science degree. Georgia Military College offers a cybersecurity programme that leads to an Associate’s Degree.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
While some cybersecurity businesses simply require an associate’s degree for entry-level work, the majority of information security jobs today demand a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity may not be required. Employers frequently want a technology major, ideally in a STEM field. However, cybersecurity majors or concentrations will be considered favourably in comparison to other technological majors.
Campus-Based Bachelor’s Degrees in Georgia
Although there aren’t many alternatives for associate’s degrees in cybersecurity in Georgia, the state’s numerous bachelor’s degree programmes make up for it. In Georgia, there are now nine campus-based cybersecurity bachelor’s degree programmes. For more details, see the table below.
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Georgia
Georgia schools are now offering an additional five cybersecurity bachelor’s degree options via online formats. See the table below for more information. Cybersecurity Online Bachelor’s Programs in Georgia
MASTER’S DEGREE
Master’s degrees in cybersecurity are becoming increasingly important in the field. Graduate degrees in a cybersecurity specialty are increasingly required for management-level information security professions. A master’s degree, and occasionally even a PhD, is nearly usually required for C-suite corporate jobs like Chief Information Security Officer. In addition, cybersecurity professionals who want to work in academia, cybersecurity research, or cybersecurity consultancy are finding that master’s degrees help them secure good jobs.
Campus-based master’s degrees in Georgia
Only three campus-based cybersecurity master’s degrees are currently available at Georgia colleges and institutions. A Master of Science in Cybersecurity has been established by Georgia Institute of Technology, and Clark Atlanta University offers a Master of Science in Computer Science with a focus in Computer Networks and Security. A Cybersecurity Management (MS) and an Applied Computer Science degree are available at Columbus State University (MS)
Online master’s degrees in Georgia
Three online cybersecurity master’s degree programmes are now available from Georgia colleges and institutions for people who prefer the convenience of online learning. See the table below for further information. CYBERSECURITY ONLINE MASTER’S PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA
CERTIFICATIONS
Cybersecurity certificates are ideal for both students and professionals who are just getting started in the field. Depending on the conditions and demands of the individual, a variety of certification programmes are available. Are you trying to figure out if cybersecurity is the correct career for you? Consider enrolling in a certification programme that teaches you about information security. When it comes to applying for entry-level cybersecurity jobs, these certifications will help you stand out. Certifications in specific disciplines, such as penetration testing, are available for individuals already working in the cybersecurity field. These specialist information security certifications will broaden your knowledge and maybe help you in your career. Some cybersecurity credentials are intended to serve as a stand-in for advanced degrees, or at the very least as prerequisite courses for a master’s degree.
Campus-based cybersecurity certifications in Georgia
Georgia colleges and universities now offer cybersecurity certificate programmes on their campuses. More details can be found in the table below. Cybersecurity Certification Programs in Georgia
Online cybersecurity certifications in Georgia
There are also five cybersecurity certificate programs available from Georgia schools via online access. These are listed below: Cybersecurity Online Certification Programs in Georgia
Cybersecurity jobs in Georgia
Georgia has a relatively high concentration of cybersecurity job demand when compared to other states in the US. Georgia is home to more than 120 cybersecurity firms, including IBM Security Services, which generates over $5 billion in yearly revenue. According to Cyberseek, the state of Georgia employed 35,508 cybersecurity specialists in the 12 months ending September 2019. During that time, Georgia firms advertised 18,368 new information security positions. With 14,563 job listings in the last year, the Atlanta metropolitan area is by far the largest provider to cybersecurity job openings. In Georgia, the next closest region (Augusta) had fewer than 1,000 cybersecurity job vacancies. Security analysts in Georgia earned an average hourly wage of $45.43 and an annual pay of $94,490, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is comparable to or somewhat below national averages. However, Georgia’s standard of living is around 7% lower than the national average. The cheaper cost of living is primarily due to decreased housing costs, although most other items are also reasonably priced in Georgia. Even in Atlanta, housing is significantly less expensive than the national average.
Cybersecurity in Georgia
Georgia is already one of the leading states in the country when it comes to cybersecurity, and everything is being done to keep it that way. The cybersecurity business is already one of the largest in the country and is quickly expanding. In 2020, the US Army will establish a cybersecurity central command. Georgia’s state government and educational institutions have placed their weight behind assuring a steady supply of fresh cybersecurity workers. A expanding economic basis necessitates the use of information security services. With these benefits, Georgia is set to be a top destination for aspiring cybersecurity experts in the near future.
