Information Security Analysts
- Summary
- What They Do
- Work Environment
- How to Become One
- Pay
- Job Outlook
- State & Area Data
- Similar Occupations
- More Info
Please enable javascript to play this video. Video transcript available at
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVZktAEtWE4. Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. Most
information security analysts work for computer companies, consulting firms, or business and financial companies. Information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer science field, along with related work experience. Employers may prefer to hire analysts
who have professional certification. The median annual wage for information security analysts was $102,600 in May 2021. Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 35
percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 19,500 openings for information security analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for information security analysts. Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of information security analysts with similar occupations. Learn more about information security analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations. Summary
Quick Facts: Information Security Analysts 2021 Median Pay $102,600 per year
$49.33 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation Less than 5 years
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2021 163,000
Job Outlook, 2021-31 35% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2021-31 56,500
What Information Security Analysts Do
Work Environment
How to Become an Information Security Analyst
Pay
Job Outlook
State
& Area Data
Similar Occupations
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
What Information Security Analysts
Do About this section
Information security analysts install software, such as firewalls, to protect computer networks.
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
Duties
Information security analysts typically do the following:
- Monitor their organization’s networks for security breaches and investigate when one occurs
- Use and maintain software, such as firewalls and data encryption programs, to protect sensitive information
- Check for vulnerabilities in computer and network systems
- Research the latest information technology (IT) security trends
- Prepare reports that document general metrics, attempted attacks, and security breaches
- Develop security standards and best practices for their organization
- Recommend security enhancements to management or senior IT staff
- Help computer users when they need to install or learn about new security products and procedures
Information security analysts are heavily involved with creating their organization’s disaster recovery plan, a procedure that IT employees follow in case of emergency. These plans allow for the continued operation of an organization’s IT department. The recovery plan includes preventive measures such as regularly copying and transferring data to an offsite location. It also involves plans to restore proper IT functioning after a disaster. Analysts continually test the steps in their recovery plans.
Information security analysts must stay up to date on IT security and on the latest methods attackers are using to infiltrate computer systems. Analysts need to research new security technology to decide what will most effectively protect their organization.
Work Environment
About this section
Many analysts work in IT departments and manage the security of their companies computer networks.
Information security analysts held about 163,000 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of information security analysts were as follows:
Computer systems design and related services | 27% |
Finance and insurance | 15 |
Information | 14 |
Management of companies and enterprises | 8 |
Administrative and support services | 5 |
Many information security analysts work with other members of an information technology department, such as network administrators or computer systems analysts.
Work Schedules
Most information security analysts work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Information security analysts sometimes have to be on call outside of normal business hours in case of an emergency.
How to Become an Information Security Analyst
About this section
There are a number of information security certifications available, and many employers prefer candidates to have certification.
Information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer science field, along with related work experience. Employers may prefer to hire analysts who have professional certification.
Education
Information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or math. However, some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and relevant industry training and certifications.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Information security analysts may need to have work experience in a related occupation. Many analysts have experience in an information technology department, often as a network and computer systems administrator.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have information security certification. Some of these certifications, such as Security+, are for workers at the entry level; others, such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), are designed for experienced information security workers. Certification in specialized areas, such as systems auditing, also is available.
Advancement
Information security analysts may advance to become chief security officers or another type of computer and information systems manager. Information security analysts also may advance within the occupation as they gain experience. For example, they may lead a team of other information security analysts or become an expert in a particular area of information security.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Information security analysts study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine improvements for security policies and protocols.
Communication skills. Information security analysts must be able to explain information security needs and potential threats to technical and nontechnical audiences within their organizations.
Creative skills. Information security analysts must anticipate information security risks and implement new ways to protect their organizations’ computer systems and networks.
Detail oriented. Because cyberattacks may be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.
Problem-solving skills. Information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks.
Median annual wages, May 2021 Pay About this section
Information Security Analysts
The median annual wage for information security analysts was $102,600 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $61,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $165,920.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for information security analysts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Information | $128,970 |
Finance and insurance | 104,790 |
Management of companies and enterprises | 101,350 |
Computer systems design and related services | 101,170 |
Administrative and support services | 95,270 |
Most information security analysts work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Information security analysts sometimes have to be on call outside of normal business hours in case of an emergency.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31 Job Outlook
About this section
Information Security Analysts
Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 35 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 19,500 openings for information security analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
High demand is expected for information security analysts. Cyberattacks have grown in frequency, and these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or creating problems for computer networks.
As businesses focus on enhancing cybersecurity, they will need information security analysts to secure new technologies from outside threats or hacks. A shift to remote work and the rise of e-commerce have increased the need for enhanced security, contributing to the projected employment growth of these workers over the decade.
Strong growth in digital health services and telehealth will also increase data security risks for healthcare providers. More of these analysts are likely to be needed to safeguard patients' personal information and data.
Employment projections data for information security analysts, 2021-31SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program | |||||
15-1212 | 163,000 | 219,500 | 35 | 56,500 | Get data |
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected
employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. CareerOneStop includes hundreds of
occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a
salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. State & Area Data About this section
Occupational
Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Projections Central
CareerOneStop
Similar Occupations About this section
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of information security analysts.
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology. | Master's degree | $131,490 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. | Bachelor's degree | $159,010 |
| Computer Network Architects | Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets. | Bachelor's degree | $120,520 |
| Computer Programmers | Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly. | Bachelor's degree | $93,000 |
| Computer Support Specialists | Computer support specialists maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users. | See How to Become One | $57,910 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and design ways to improve efficiency. | Bachelor's degree | $99,270 |
| Database Administrators and Architects | Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure data. | Bachelor's degree | $101,000 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of computer networks. | Bachelor's degree | $80,600 |
| Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers | Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects. | Bachelor's degree | $109,020 |
| Web Developers and Digital Designers | Web developers create and maintain websites. Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability. | Bachelor's degree | $78,300 |
Last Modified Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022