Information Security Engineers

Overview

Information Security Engineers has a national median salary of $116,580 per year, with +5.1% 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

Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies. Build, maintain and upgrade security technology, such as firewalls, for the safe use of computer networks and the transmission and retrieval of information. Design and implement appropriate security controls to identify vulnerabilities and protect digital files and electronic infrastructures. Monitor and respond to computer security breaches, viruses, and intrusions, and perform forensic investigation. May oversee the assessment of information security systems.

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Identify security system weaknesses, using penetration tests.
• Coordinate monitoring of networks or systems for security breaches or intrusions.
• Assess the quality of security controls, using performance indicators.
• Train staff on, and oversee the use of, information security standards, policies, and best practices.
• Scan networks, using vulnerability assessment tools to identify vulnerabilities.

Work Activities

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

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.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• 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.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

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 Engineers:

Video Resources