Cybersecurity is high-stakes, and the best security leaders aren’t actively looking for jobs—they’re being recruited. But why are certain cities leading the cybersecurity space? And more importantly, how do you compete for the best candidates?
By Sean Cleary, Head of Cybersecurity Practice
Takeaways:
- The Bay Area, New York, and DC consistently account for about 33% of all Riviera CISO placements, highlighting their deep concentration of security talent.
- Hiring top security executives in these hubs is highly competitive, requiring knowledge of salary expectations, emerging talent markets, and leadership retention strategies.
- Understanding these hiring trends provides insight into the future of cybersecurity leadership, including shifts in required skill sets, regulatory demands, and the growing importance of AI and cloud security expertise.
(Looking for insights on cybersecurity hiring in EMEA? Check out our companion piece: The Top EMEA Cybersecurity Talent Hubs—And What They Reveal About the Future of Cyber Leadership)
The Cybersecurity Hotbeds in the US—And Why They Matter for the Future of Cyber Leadership
Cybersecurity is high-stakes, and the best security leaders aren’t actively looking for jobs—they’re being recruited. But why are certain cities leading the cybersecurity space? And more importantly, how do you compete for the best candidates? Knowing offers fascinating insights into where the industry and the role itself are headed.
The Cybersecurity Hotbeds in the US
Washington, D.C. / Northern Virginia (“Cyber Corridor”)
- Why it’s a cybersecurity powerhouse:
- Home to NSA, CIA, DHS, and major defense contractors.
- Highest concentration of security-cleared professionals.
- Cybersecurity training grounds like firms Booz Allen Hamilton and Mandiant thrive here.
What this tells us about the future: Government will continue to shape private-sector security policies. As regulations tighten and cyber-attacks by nation-states increase in frequency, CISOs with national security experience will be increasingly valuable to the private sector. The appetite of government security professionals to transition to the private sector has never been stronger.
Silicon Valley / San Francisco Bay Area
- Why it’s a cybersecurity hotspot:
- Alums of traditional security technology firms like Cisco, CrowdStrike, and Palo Alto Networks are aplenty
- Highest concentration of scaled engineering talent, the most popular pedigree for CISOs of modern technology companies to have.
- Outside of Israel, the highest concentration of security startups.
Exclusive insight: In 2024, 60% of Riveira’s CISO placements had an engineering background—up from 40% in 2023.
What this tells us about the future: The next generation of CISOs will be entrepreneurial, blending business acumen with deep technical expertise. The Bay Area ecosystem enables this persona by building technical security leaders and offering participation in one of the industry’s primary centers of business.
New York, NY
- Why cybersecurity talent thrives here:
- Strong financial sector presence requiring top-tier security.
- Major enterprise security teams at Fortune 500 companies.
- A fast-developing startup ecosystem.
What this tells us about the future: The financial services sector is projected to account for over 24% of the total cybersecurity market share through 2032, according to AstuteAnalytica, highlighting its significant role in global cybersecurity expenditures. Future CISOs in the New York region will need to master regulatory frameworks, fintech security, and AI-driven fraud detection.
The Future of Cybersecurity Hiring: Emerging Markets to Watch
Beyond the traditional hubs, some emerging cities are becoming cybersecurity hiring hotspots:
- Denver, CO – High quality of life, growing startup scene, and increasing cybersecurity investments.
- Charlotte, NC – A strong financial services sector creating high security hiring demand.
- Austin, TX – A booming tech industry attracting cybersecurity startups and cloud security specialists.
Exclusive insight: Austin, Denver, and Charlotte’s share of Riviera CISO placements has doubled—growing from 5% in 2022 to 10% today.
What These Hiring Trends Reveal About the Future of Cybersecurity Leadership
The cybersecurity hiring market is more competitive than ever, but with the right insights and recruitment strategy, companies can secure world-class security leadership.
- CISOs are becoming more strategic and business-oriented, with a strong focus on AI, compliance, and risk management.
- Companies must look beyond traditional hiring hubs to tap into emerging cybersecurity talent markets.
- The most successful companies will proactively build their cybersecurity leadership pipeline, adapting to new threats and hiring trends before they become urgent needs.
Sean Cleary is Head of Cybersecurity Practice at Riviera Partners. Connect on LinkedIn.
Riviera Partners specializes in placing cybersecurity executives in the most competitive hiring markets. Whether you’re hiring in a traditional cybersecurity hub or looking to expand into emerging talent markets, we provide the expertise and network to secure the best cybersecurity leaders.
Need to hire a cybersecurity leader? Let’s talk.
(For insights on cybersecurity hiring trends in EMEA, check out our companion post: The Top EMEA Cybersecurity Talent Hubs—And What They Reveal About the Future of Cyber Leadership)
