Cybersecurity became a critical issue to many residents of South Carolina when a hacker stole the social security numbers of 5.7 million individual taxpayers from Revenue Department computers in 2012. The combination of this cyberattack on the state government and the high concentration of businesses in South Carolina that engage in rigorous cybersecurity helped to increase the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals.
- Grand Canyon University - B.S. and M.S. in Cyber Security
- SNHU - B.S and M.S. in Cybersecurity
- Purdue Global - Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Arizona State University - Online Master of Arts in Global Security
Thus, the number of job postings for cybersecurity auditors, analysts, architects, engineers, and administrators in South Carolina increased 134% between 2010 and 2014 according to the workforce research firm Burning Glass Technologies.
Demand for cybersecurity experts exceeds supply throughout the US. In fact, Yahoo’s CIO, Alex Stamos, told UPI.com that “it is pretty much impossible to hire folks within the indicated backgrounds.” Thus, the average salary for a cybersecurity specialist exceeds that of other IT professionals by 9% according to Burning Glass Technologies.
South Carolina’s technology professionals and advanced security industry leaders joined together in 2009 to create new workforce training initiatives to strengthen the state’s existing cybersecurity cluster. These stakeholders created the Advanced Security Technology Research Alliance (ASTRA) which brings together technology professionals, industry and business leaders, and academia. Their goals involve promoting South Carolina’s existing cybersecurity industry and increasing innovation and leadership within the sector.
The Lowcountry contains facilities for nearly all DOD and DHS agencies, and Charleston boasts the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center along with a number of defense contractors. As of 2016, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance reported the city ranked 4th in the nation for high tech GDP growth. In addition, the Alliance cited the Milken Institute’s statistic that Charleston’s digital economy was increasing 26% faster than the US average.
In April 2016, Governor Haley spoke during an announcement of the formation of the South Carolina Cyber Consortium which brought together the state’s National Guard, academic leaders, local government and agencies, and some of the state’s major technology companies.
The South Carolina National Guard’s Deputy Director for Intelligence, Major Barbara Mesaros, delineated the lines of effort of the SC Cyber Consortium in an army.mil article:
- Developing a professional cybersecurity workforce
- R&D
- Economic development
- Collaborative protection
- Creating course curricula from K5 through doctoral programs
This collaborative effort will help protect the citizens, businesses, and critical infrastructure of South Carolina.
Salaries for Cybersecurity Experts in the Major Cities of South Carolina
The Robert Half Technology 2016 Salary Guide provided the salary ranges for cybersecurity analysts and admins in South Carolina’s major cities. Professionals with a master’s degree can expect to earn on the high end of these ranges:
Charleston:
- Data Security Analysts: $102,939 – $145,112
- Systems Security Administrators: $98,643 – $139,783
- Network Security Administrators: $96,539 – $137,445
Columbia:
- Data Security Analysts: $102,939 – $145,112
- Systems Security Administrators: $98,643 – $139,783
- Network Security Administrators: $96,539 – $137,445
Greenville:
- Data Security Analysts: $101,287 – $142,784
- Systems Security Administrators: $97,060 – $137,540
- Network Security Administrators: $94,990 – $135,240
Salaries for Information Security Analysts in South Carolina’s Major Cities
Demand for information security analysts is exceptionally high according to the Computing Technology Industry Association. This trade group reported that the number of job postings for information security analysts more than doubled between the first quarter of 2014 and that of 2015.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a detailed analysis of the salaries for information security analysts in the major cities of South Carolina. Information security analysts with a master’s degree have the skills to earn salaries that fall within the 90th percentile: