Photo Credit: University of Pittsburgh
Cybersecurity in Pittsburgh: A Step Ahead
Cyberattacks are an ever-increasing threat, and industries like finance, robotics, life sciences, manufacturing, autonomous vehicles and AI trust cybersecurity companies in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cybersecurity companies are working around the clock to protect data in a fast-paced world where information security is crucial, and more and more, they’re choosing to set up in Pittsburgh.
As cybersecurity market growth continues, the city is becoming a key player in the fight against ongoing cyber threats, largely thanks to the region’s strong ecosystem and world-class talent pool. Cybersecurity teams in Pittsburgh are leading cybersecurity solutions and advancements in cloud computing security and new sophisticated systems to identify and prevent malware from damaging networks.
Institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh have dedicated information technology and network security programs that produce industry-leading cybersecurity professionals.
Established businesses and start-ups looking to expand cybersecurity services or create new operations or data centers in North America can find success in Pittsburgh. Get access to top full-time talent across a range of cybersecurity jobs and support from the Pittsburgh region’s robust IT environment. From post-grad to workers with multiple years of experience, you’ll find the right cybersecurity consultants and technology solutions for your growing business.
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Mike Henderson
Senior Director, Business Investment
“Instead of moving operations and employees to California after acquisition, Proofpoint committed to retaining operations in Pittsburgh to benefit from our exceptional cyber ecosystem.”
CEO & FOUNDER, BLUETREE VENTURE FUND &
BLUETREE ALLIED ANGELS
The Ecosystem
A strong university and R&D research base has evolved to a strong corporate asset
#1 IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) ranks as the #1 school in the U.S. for Computer Science (US News & World Report, 2024). Grad degree programs include tracks in Cyber Ops, as well as Cyber Forensics and Incident Response.
$211 MILLION IN R&D (2022)
Computer and information science R&D at CMU is the 2nd-highest of any university in the U.S. (2022, Higher Education Research and Development Survey, National Science Foundation).
PITT CYBER
The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Security (Pitt Cyber) addresses cybercriminals and cybersecurity threats. These include election security, human trafficking and sensitive information threats.
NATIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE
The NSA and Dept. of Homeland Security have designated the Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC), Robert Morris University, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and St. Vincent College as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).
Talent
World-class people in a world-class corporate and research ecosystem
70+
Universities & post-secondary CTE institutions
~5,000
tech degrees & certificates awarded annually
3,464
software developers; average wage $108,940 USD*
3,985
computer and information systems managers; average wage $151,964 (2022)
4,500+
Post-secondary completions in tech-related fields
33.7%
of Pittsburgh’s tech talent works in the tech industry (CBRE, Scoring Tech Talent report, 2022)
Investment in Pittsburgh Companies
$14B+ in Investment
from 2014 to 2023.
50+ firms
from around the globe invested in Pittsburgh companies in 2023.
$12 billion
of university research from 2014 to 2023 adding to regional growth.
THE CYBERSECURITY INDUSTRY IN PITTSBURGH
Approximately 40 businesses make up the cybersecurity ecosystem in Pittsburgh with more than 2,000 people working at the industry’s largest local firms. * Assets include Pittsburgh universities and industries with heavy cybersecurity framework principles, such as finance, robotics, life sciences, manufacturing, autonomous vehicles and AI.
*Pittsburgh Business Times Book of Lists
$144,409
average wage for tech workers (2024)
533
Tech expansions between 2012 – 2022
$522 Million
in tech-related capital investment (2008 – 2018)
pRIMARY CYBERSECURITY SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE:
INNOVATION WORKS
Is a top early-stage investor in the U.S. with four unique accelerators – AlphaLab, AlphaLab Gear, AlphaLab Health and the Robotics Factory. Innovation Works helps startups – including those focused on software, hardware and ransomware – to succeed.
Pittsburgh Technology Council
Supports the region’s technology-based service providers with business development, talent retention, government relations and visibility services.
InnovatePGh
A partnership between the public and private sectors is helping Pittsburgh become a top innovation city. This partnership is also supporting the Innovation District in the Oakland neighborhood.
Notable Investments
Proofpoint
Acquired Pittsburgh-startup Wombat
Technologies for $225 million in 2018.
Carnegie Mellon University’s software Engineering institute
Awarded a $2.7 billion contract in July 2020 from the US Department of Defense to continue federally funded research that focuses on software, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
CERT
CERT, part of CMU’s Software Engineering Institute, has led in cybersecurity for 30 years. It focuses on network awareness, malware analysis, secure coding, insider threats, data breaches, DevOps, ransomware attacks and finding and analyzing vulnerabilities.
Pittsburgh High-Tech Computer Crimes Task Force
CERT and the FBI partnered to create the Pittsburgh High-Tech Computer Crimes
Task Force. The task force pools together resources to help investigate and prosecute cybercrimes.
The National Cyber Forensics & Training Alliance (NCFTA)
Grew out of the FBI and CERT partnership and is a non-profit partnership among private industry, government, and academia.
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