Access the Full Cybersecurity Industry Report
Value Proposition
With significantly lower cost of living across all major expenditures, Greater Phoenix also offers shorter commute times for more free time and more than 300 days of sunshine annually.
Greater Phoenix offers faster fiber connectivity, and consistent and reliable power coverage. The region’s robust network of data centers is complemented by access to a leading domestic and international airport and a low risk of natural disasters.
Greater Phoenix has a robust ecosystem of independent cybersecurity firms and units from Fortune 500 companies which offer access to secure testing facilities.
Specialized programs at universities across the state train talent. University alignment and partnerships assist in the undertaking of cybersecurity research and development.
Real estate is more affordable with better benefit costs compared to peer markets. There are a number of quality incentives to further decrease operating costs for your cybersecurity business that you’re looking to create or relocate.
Notable Programs in Cybersecurity - Related Fields
Major Employers
Greater Phoenix has a rich ecosystem of cybersecurity companies. A large number of successful companies were founded in the region, and some were scaled into the region efficiently.
Major Operation Center Employers
The Greater Phoenix region is home to a rich cybersecurity ecosystem. Part of this ecosystem is non-cybersecurity firms that have cybersecurity operations in the region.
The Annual Business Operating Cost Pro-forma below has been prepared using the following parameters as an estimate for cybersecurity operations in competitor markets. Component and custom analyses to match your company’s operations can be provided upon request.
Assumptions
- $2,500,000 personal property investment
- 9,000 square foot Central Business District
- Utilities (per month): Included in lease
- 86 jobs (Bureau of Labor Statistics equivalent occupations)
| Occupations | Employment |
| Computer & information systems managers | 2 |
| General & operations managers (Human Resources) | 1 |
| Secretary | 1 |
| Computer network architects | 9 |
| Computer network support specialists | 8 |
| Information security analysts | 21 |
| Computer programmers | 44 |
| Total | 86 |
Statutory Incentives
Even with the highly competitive tax environment in Greater Phoenix and Arizona, there exists a number of tax incentives that can be utilized to mitigate operating costs making it one of the best cities to start your cybersecurity business. It should be noted that this is only a guide for potential incentives.
Arizona Competes Funds
- Discretionary funds that can be used to attract, expand and retain Arizona enterprises
Quality Jobs Tax Credit
- $9,000 of corporate income tax credits per job, spread over 3 years
- Capped at 10,000 jobs per year
- Four tiers of qualification that all require at least 65% of benefits packaged covered by employer
R&D Tax Credit
- Refundable and nonrefundable corporate income tax credits for qualified research and development done in Arizona, including company funded research at a state university
- Credit amount is 24% of first $2.5 million in qualifying expenses plus 15% of the qualifying expenses in excess of $2.5 million
- Qualifying small companies (less than 150 FTE) can apply to make their credit refundable (75% of nonrefundable credit value). A company can receive up to $2.0M in refundable credits per year
