Information Security Analyst Career, Education & Salary

In the deeply interconnected world of the twenty-first century, the secure flow of information is a vital aspect of daily economic activity. The Information Age ushered in a new era in which information security is as large a concern as the security of mass-produced goods. Given the sheer scale and complexity of human activities in the present era, a new industry developed in response to the need to protect vital information.

The information security analyst is one type of occupation that has developed in response to our transformed economy. An information security analyst is a professional trained in ensuring the security and integrity of computer networks and related systems in which information may be transmitted or retained.

These professionals typically fulfill various responsibilities, including analyzing and assessing security risks, developing security plans and related protocols, and implementing measures to protect against potential security breaches. Such analysts perform various duties to fulfill a primary objective, namely the protection of sensitive information and the computer systems and networks that hold such information.

What is the Career Outlook for Information Security Analysts?

The field of cybersecurity and related disciplines is currently promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) forecasts a very robust growth rate of 35 percent in the employment of information security analysts between 2021 and 2031. This growth rate is much higher than the average across all occupations and in other portions of the information and computing industry.

The aforementioned decade will add an average of 19,500 information security analyst positions. This rapid growth is due to many factors, including retirement, transfers out of the existing workforce, and continued economic growth in which the secure transmission and retention of varied forms of information is a ubiquitous aspect of countless transactions in daily business operations.

How Much Do Information Security Analysts Make?

The salary of an individual trained in information security analysis depends on many factors, including the particular responsibilities of their position, their level of experience and formal training, and local job market conditions.

Information security analysts may specialize their expertise to meet various needs. Some common types of information security analysts include the following:

• Network Security Analyst: A network security analyst is responsible for maintaining the security of computer networks and the data transmitted through them. These analysts monitor network traffic and thereby identify potential threats.
• Security Compliance Analyst: A security compliance analyst assesses an organization’s information systems and processes to ensure they comply with legal, regulatory, and industry standards. They monitor compliance with security policies and procedures and modify security frameworks as necessary to adjust to an ever-changing security environment.
• Cybersecurity Analyst: A cybersecurity analyst protects an organization’s computer systems from cyber attacks. They analyze security risks, develop strategies responsive to known and anticipated risks, monitor systems for security breaches, and respond to security incidents as needed.
• Information Security Manager: An information security manager oversees an organization’s information security framework and related systems. They manage security personnel, develop security policies and measures, and ensure that this security framework remains effective and designed to meet current security risks.
• Incident Response Analyst: An incident response analyst responds is a primary individual among those who respond to security incidents. They act to mitigate the impacts of such incidents by working promptly to identify the source of the attack, contain the damage, and restore systems to normal functioning.

The BLS indicates the following salary percentiles for information security analysts (BLS May 2022):

• Employment: 163,690
• Annual mean wage: $119,860
• 10th percentile: $66,010
• 25th percentile: $85,270
• 50th percentile (median): $112,000
• 75th percentile: $141,130
• 90th percentile: $174,540

Regional cost of living is an influence on salary data. Those interested in becoming information security analysts are encouraged to use tools such as the cost of living data series provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023) to assess how much their money can buy in various markets throughout the United States. Five of the ten metropolitan areas listed above are on MERIC’s list of 10 most expensive states to live in

Information Security Analyst Tasks & Responsibilities

Information security analysts plan security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. According to the US BLS description of this particular job, an information security analyst may be responsible for any of the following:

• Monitor an organization’s networks for security breaches and investigate those that occur
• Use, maintain, and develop software to protect sensitive information
• Assess computer and network systems for potential vulnerabilities
• Research information technology (IT) security trends
• Prepare reports responsive to employer needs containing information such as general metrics, attack data, and security breach information
• Develop security standards and best practices
• Recommend security enhancements to management or senior IT staff
• Train organization employees to be mindful of and apply security products and procedures in their daily operations

As information security analysts develop more experience and expertise, they may be called upon to contribute to increasingly complex projects and management needs. For example, they may become critical contributors to formulating their organization’s disaster recovery plan. They may also be given significant responsibility in developing their company’s information security strategy.

Given the rapid evolution of IT and related industries, a significant responsibility an information security analyst must be continually mindful of is the need to remain informed and skilled in emergent new threats to information security. Given the rapid technological evolution, information security analysts may need to devote little time to researching new security technologies designed to protect against new threats.

Though not necessarily considered a task or responsibility per se, an information security analyst should also possess effective communication skills. Given the high stakes environment in which such analysts may work, in which their expertise leads their employers to entrust technology and reputations of significant value to their care, information security analysts need to exercise effective communication skills to ensure both effective collaboration and responsiveness to their recommendations and directives

Professional Certification for Information Security Analysts

As previously mentioned, a commitment to ongoing education and skills maintenance is vital to information security analysts’ success. One way analysts can maintain their skills and demonstrate commitment to their profession is by completing certification programs. Below is a list of some standard certifications an information security analyst may need to enhance their prospects for obtaining their first job and career advancement.

CompTIA Security+ – CompTIA Security+ is a basic certification for a career as an information security analyst. This foundational certification attests that the recipient has basic network security and risk management knowledge. The certification exam tests six domains of knowledge.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – The Certified Ethical Hacker certification covers the advanced logistics of hacking and the methods hackers often use to cause data breaches. CEH is the information security certification that teaches the tactics of the enemy. It is thus considered an essential certification for any information security professional whose duties strongly focus on hacking prevention and response.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – CISSP Certification is a highly sought-after certification and is thus considered the gold standard for the information security analyst. It trains students to become professionals in the field of information security. CISSP covers many topics, including IT security, architecture, design, management, and controls

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – CISA certification covers numerous topics regarding the governance and control of enterprise IT. Students learn to create and implement effective security audits and are exposed to the acquisition, development, testing, and implementation of security systems.