Cybersecurity

Virginia has emerged as a national leader in cybersecurity and is at the forefront of talent development in the industry. The Commonwealth of Virginia is uniquely equipped to succeed in this sector, with close proximity to the federal government, unparalleled assets in information technology, and higher education institutions that are training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. 

Home to world-class tech leaders and rising star companies, Virginia has the second largest cybersecurity workforce in the country, with about 88,000 cybersecurity workers (Emsi). Virginia’s location is a distinct industry advantage, providing access to the federal government and a large pool of federal contractors. To meet the rising demand for a cybersecurity workforce, nearly 50 of Virginia’s colleges and universities have established cyber degrees and degrees with cyber focus. Virginia is also home to 23 NSA/DHS Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in cybersecurity.

Virginia fosters entrepreneurship and is home to the MACH37 Accelerator, an intensive, 90-day program created to launch cyber startups. Mach37 was initially launched and funded by the Commonwealth but is now funded by the private sector. Virginia was the first state in the nation to adopt the Virginia fosters entrepreneurship and is home to the MACH37 Accelerator, an intensive, 90-day program created to launch cyber startups. Mach37 was initially launched and funded by the Commonwealth but is now funded by the private sector. Virginia was the first state in the nation to adopt the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cyber Frameworkand also the first state to declare itself an Information Sharing and Assessment Organization (ISAO). 

Software

Virginia’s Large and Diverse Tech Ecosystem: Technology businesses relocating or expanding into Virginia join world-class tech leaders like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, as well as companies in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), FinTech, Manufacturing Tech, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). 

Virginia offers tech firms access to the highest concentration of tech talent and the third-largest tech industry workforce in the nation, with 315,000 people working in the tech sector and/or tech occupations. Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic location facilitates talent attraction from the entire eastern seaboard and beyond.

Tech companies can hire high-quality tech talent in Virginia at salaries that compare favorably with competing markets. Salaries in Northern Virginia, one of the world’s leading tech hubs, average less than most major tech metros, and salaries for tech talent in other parts of the state are competitive with smaller markets in other states, enabling tech firms to choose the best market, talent mix, and budget for their particular needs.

Strategic Location that Enables Global Connectivity

Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic location offers tech firms proximity to economic centers up and down the East Coast, including critical customer markets like the federal government, Northeast Corridor, and Southeast metro areas.

• 16 commercial airports serving Virginia with direct flights to 100+ domestic and 50+ international destinations
• #1 among Southeastern states for public transit usage via rail and bus systems
• 2,000+ miles of fiber, ensuring ubiquitous access to broadband for tech firms
• 47% of the U.S. population located in the Eastern Time Zone

Would you plan to expand your business network to Virginia?

Please contact International Team for more details:

Magdalena Zawodny-Barabanow
Project Manager International Business
magdalena.zawodny-barabanow@sibb.de