Information Security Analysts

Overview

Information Security Analysts has a national median salary of $129,180 per year, with +21% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

Work Values

• Working Conditions
• Independence
• Support

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
• Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
• Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
• Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
• Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Processing Information
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Information Security Analysts:

Video Resources