The Cybersecurity Industry in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has a population of over 10 million and a growing cybersecurity industry. Its economy has been expanding gradually with an emphasis on technology and innovation. The need for cybersecurity experts has increased across the nation, thanks to the ever-so-often attacks. Today, the Dominican Republic is one of the biggest IT industries in the Caribbean, with a market value of the country’s IT sector estimated to be about $750 million. It employs over 45,000 people and continues to grow quickly, with recent estimates putting the industry’s growth rate at over 10% annually. Many of the nation’s IT businesses are devoted to cybersecurity on top of the more traditional development projects.
The cybersecurity market in the Dominican Republic continues to be in its development stage. Nonetheless, the country is home to a number of cybersecurity enterprises and consulting organizations that provide services to corporations of all kinds. These firms focus on offering cybersecurity solutions to safeguard organizations from online assaults, data breaches, and other security risks.
In 2018, the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCIB) was established as the primary entity in charge of carrying out the national cybersecurity policy. The organization’s responsibilities include formulating, organizing, and supervising the execution of policies, strategies, and plans pertaining to cybersecurity in the Dominican Republic. This was the first step as part of a larger governmental effort to improve the cybersecurity infrastructure of the country. The government also Developed a National Center for Cybersecurity (CNCS). This is a government body responsible for coordinating the implementation of the national cybersecurity strategy. The center also handles the development and implementation of technical regulations, standards, and guidelines related to cybersecurity issues. Finally, as part of its new cybersecurity strategy, the Dominican Republic launched the National Cybersecurity System (SNC) in 2022, a platform designed to detect, prevent and respond to cyber threats.
IT Education in the Dominican Republic
An interesting thing about The Dominican Republic is its government is aware that, while the country continues to improve its percentage of citizens who use the internet, 74.8% from the last report, there’s still a need to improve. Because of this, authorities have put into motion an initiative called “Digital Agenda 2023” (AGENDA DIGITAL 2030) which ministries all over the country work together to develop the necessary digital abilities of the Dominican people. Of course, this includes cybersecurity in The Dominican Republic.
Regarding IT education, a number of educational institutions provide degrees and certificates in computer science, information technology, and related subjects. The Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), the Instituto Tecnológico de las Américas (ITLA), and the Universidad Iberoamericana are some of the best universities in the Dominican Republic for IT education.
Aspiring cybersecurity experts in The Dominican Republic can prepare for careers in cybersecurity, network engineering, and related industries by enrolling in the ITLA’s degree program in cybersecurity and networks engineering. Moreover, the Universidad Iberoamericana’s computer science degree program includes a cybersecurity track as well, giving future professionals more options to choose from. There are also several professional training programs and certifications offered by private institutions in the Dominican Republic, including the National Cybersecurity Institute and the Dominican Association of Information Technology Companies (ADETI) (INCIBE).
Overall, while there are educational opportunities available for IT and cybersecurity professionals in the Dominican Republic, the field is still developing and there is a need for more investment and training to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in these areas.
Average English level of cybersecurity experts in the Dominican Republic
Regarding the English proficiency level of Dominican developers, according to the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) 2022, the Dominican Republic ranks 53rd out of 111 countries, with a moderate proficiency level. The country ranks at the middle of the pack in Latin America, having scored the 11th position within the region. However, this does not mean that developers in the Dominican Republic have the same level of proficiency in English as the general population, as some may have better English skills than others and the IT field requires above-average proficiency as a baseline.
Popular coding technologies with Dominican cybersecurity specialists
Hiring cybersecurity experts in Latin America comes with an outstanding passion for innovation and great technological knowledge, including that of Dominican specialists. Because of this, these professionals are proficient in more than one tech stack or cybersecurity technology at a time, often increasing the efficiency of any projects they are involved in. Here are the most common technologies used by cybersecurity experts from the Dominican Republic, which include:
- Firewalls
- Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
- Antivirus Software
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
- Encryption
- Penetration Testing Tools
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Tools
- Authentication and Access Control Systems
How to Hire cybersecurity experts in The Dominican Republic
Cybersecurity staffing:
Our recommendation for those who want to hire cybersecurity experts in The Dominican Republic for the first time is to work with a company that provides outsourcing services and has an established network in the Dominican Republic. This can be a good option if you want to hire a team of remote cybersecurity experts while mitigating the most risks. Cybersecurity outsourcing companies usually handle all the details, from technical vetting to onboarding support.
Freelance Platforms:
You can also find cybersecurity freelancers from The Dominican Republic on freelance platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, or Guru. These platforms allow you to browse through profiles and portfolios of IT professionals from all over the globe and hire them on a per-project basis for a set or hourly price.
Job Boards:
Posting job openings on local job boards or websites that specialize in connecting businesses with Dominican cybersecurity experts is a great way to attract applications for certain roles, though it does require your recruitment team to do all the work. Some popular job boards in The Dominican Republic include Computrabajo and Acciontrabajo. Now, make sure to highlight whether the role is part-time, full-time, or contract-based, as many independent cybersecurity specialists in The Dominican Republic only work either as contractors or full-time employees.
Referrals:
If you have connections in the cybersecurity industry or in The Dominican Republic, you can also ask for referrals from colleagues or friends who may know cybersecurity professionals who are looking for work. This can be an effective way to find talented specialists who may not be actively seeking job opportunities but are interested in hearing about new projects if they come from a trustworthy contact. Once you know of an expert who might be available and whose work is highly recommended, try messaging them on LinkedIn to first connect on a reputable platform and then discuss project details and compensation.
Ready to hire cybersecurity experts in The Dominican Republic?
The cybersecurity industry in The Dominican Republic has rapidly expanded in recent years, reflecting the growing awareness of the importance of protecting online assets. As the country continues to expand its digital infrastructure, the cybersecurity industry will play an even more crucial role in safeguarding individuals and organizations against cyber threats. This will allow companies looking to hire nearshore cybersecurity experts in The Dominican Republic to start outsourcing right away, as there is already a business formed around the cybersecurity sector.
At CyberWarrior, we provide cybersecurity solutions through nearshoring and IT workforce augmentation. To assist you in locating the ideal nearshore professional for your business, we can put you in touch with our extensive network of cybersecurity specialists throughout Latin America and around the world. Our headquarters are in Massachusetts, and we have alliances in both South America and the US. Besides our commitment to high-quality cybersecurity outsourcing, when you choose us as your cybersecurity services provider for cybersecurity staffing or managed security services, you are supporting our charitable aim to open opportunities for economic growth for individuals who might not otherwise have them.
Contact us today to learn more about our cybersecurity staffing services and how we can help you hire cybersecurity professionals in The Dominican Republic!
