Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Information Security Auditor
- Information Security System Engineer
- Infrastructure Security Engineer
- Security Engineer
Alternate Job Titles
- AI Security Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Security Specialist)
- Application Security Administrator (Application Security Admin)
- Application Security Engineer
- Automotive Security Engineer
- BISO (Business Information Security Officer)
- Cloud Engineer
- Cloud Security Architect
- Cloud Security Engineer
- Communications Security Manager (COMSEC Manager)
- Cyber Defense Incident Responder
- Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist
- Cybersecurity Architect
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Cybersecurity Hardware Engineer
- Cybersecurity Software Developer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Develop response and recovery strategies for security breaches.
- Conduct investigations of information security breaches to identify vulnerabilities and evaluate the damage.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Speech Recognition
- Deductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Ansible software
- Apple iOS
- Apple macOS
- Atlassian Confluence
- Atlassian JIRA
- Bash
- Border Gateway Protocol BGP
- C
Work Environment
- Spend Time Sitting
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Telephone Conversations
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Computer Occupations, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Information Security Engineers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $52,650 |
| Median | $108,970 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $176,800 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 439,380
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Penetration Testers
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $108,970
Information Security Analysts
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $124,910
Security Management Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $81,270
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $96,800
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $108,970
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.