NC Cybersecurity Workforce Initiative Launches to Curb Losses
Business owners should anticipate new local talent pipelines as the state targets a rise in cybercrime costs.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Internships
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Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt has launched the Jobs of the Future initiative in Wilmington to better align state workforce development with high-growth sectors. The program, part of the Future-Ready North Carolina plan, focuses on cybersecurity training and investments in community colleges to address rising regional cyber threats.
Why it matters
Rising digital threats are directly impacting state business operations, with internet crime losses in North Carolina climbing significantly over the last year. This initiative seeks to mitigate these losses by expanding the local talent pipeline in specialized fields like cybersecurity.
North Carolina residents lost $431 million to internet crimes in 2025, up from $324 million in 2024. Losses specifically tied to artificial intelligence reached more than $15 million in 2025.
The players
Rachel Hunt
The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina who oversees the state's Jobs of the Future workforce initiative.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
A public university hosting the Center for Cyber Defense Education and serving as the pilot site for the state's new workforce strategy.
The details
The Jobs of the Future initiative focuses on strengthening workforce development through partnerships with institutions like the University of North Carolina Wilmington. By integrating the Cameron School of Business and the College of Science and Engineering, the state aims to scale cybersecurity expertise for local industries. These efforts include planned investments in community colleges and child care, designed to stabilize and expand the labor market for high-tech roles.
Timeline
April 2018: UNCW's Center for Cyber Defense Education was established.
Fall 2022: UNCW launched its bachelor's degree in cybersecurity.
2024: North Carolina reported $324 million in internet crime losses.
2025: North Carolina reported $431 million in internet crime losses.
October 15, 2026: Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt announced the workforce initiative.
Market Landscape
The Jobs of the Future initiative functions as the latest operational extension of the Future-Ready North Carolina plan. It marks a shift toward state-led talent development to counter rising cybersecurity costs across the private sector.
Business owners should prepare for an influx of cybersecurity-trained graduates as the state prioritizes tech-focused workforce programs. Firms currently facing digital security risks should monitor how these regional educational investments will shift local recruitment costs.
The takeaway
The sharp rise in internet crime losses underscores a growing operational risk that requires proactive talent acquisition strategies. Operators should evaluate their current cybersecurity staffing needs against the upcoming pipeline of graduates from local workforce development programs.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional workforce development, visit Internships.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWAYTV3.
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