Semper Secure’s cyber security census reveals it isn’t just a paycheck that motivates today’s cyber professionals. While cyber professionals earn an annual salary of $116,000, on average, working for a quality employer is a key motivator in cyber security employment.
The survey was underwritten by Northrop Grumman, NetApp and Meri Talk’s Cyber Security Exchange.
“For top talent, cyber security isn’t about just a job and a paycheck. It is about the hottest technology, deployed by honorable organizations, for a purpose that is inherently important,” said Jim Duffey, Secretary of Technology, Office of the Governor of Virginia. “It is no surprise that Virginia is an ideal location for these types of people.”
Government, manufacturing and aerospace/defense are the big three industries for cyber professionals, with most jobs clustered in the Washington, D.C. metro or California. Forty-four percent of respondents listed the Washington, D.C. metro area as the ‘center of innovation in cybersecurity.’ No doubt due to the growing government initiatives to tackle cyber threats and protect critical infrastructure from cyber attack.
Perhaps surprisingly, only 25 percent of respondents listed high salary and benefits as the most interesting aspect of their profession. While this may seem surprising, it isn’t if you realize the relatively low unemployment and continually high salary cyber professionals can expect. With six figures being the median income, it’s not too altruistic to accept a bit less and accept a more prestigious position.
The survey bodes well for government talent managers and defense industry recruiters alike – when it comes to attracting talent, it’s more than money that motivates. Only one-third of respondents listed high compensation as what they looked for in an ideal employer. Professionals were more likely to list attributes such as integrity, honor and prestige as being important.
“These people aren’t jumping from job to job looking for salary bumps and signing bonuses” said Lee Vorthman, Chief Technology Officer, Federal Civilian Agencies, NetApp. “Many of them want to work for Federal agencies and most of them tend to stick with employers for the long term. For companies, that means they better get them early or risk not getting them at all.”
