What does an information security officer do?
Information security officers are responsible for planning and implementing policies to safeguard an organization's computer network and data from different types of security breaches. Their duties typically include identifying computer network vulnerabilities, developing and executing a plan to secure and protect the network, and tracking computer network usage to ensure adherence to security policies. In addition, information security officers are also expected to conduct penetration tests to look for flaws and work closely with the IT and management departments to improve security.
Information security officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real information security officer resumes:
- Lead vulnerability scanning and penetration testing for PCI-DSS compliance.
- Manage client relationships in conjunction with moving production environment to AWS.
- Manage all printers, switches, routers, and data archiving.
- Manage and ensure all AIS systems are operated in accordance with applicable DoD directives.
- Avoid fines and penalties by achieving and maintaining PCI, HIPAA, and SOX compliance.
- Engage to design and implement an enterprise-wide information security program to achieve SOX and HIPPA compliance.
- Develop enterprise processes for information risk management, architecture, policies, procedures, and regulatory oversight.
- Provide security services covering infrastructure security management, develop security organizational structure, budgeting, security policy development and security reporting.
- Formulate a governance model and revamp infrastructure to include financially sound and risk adverse solutions that are easily implement and maintain.
- Introduce, provision and deploy ITIL framework for ITSM.
- Administer networking, data center, system backup, and servers.
- Assign personnel to posts and ensure patrol protection requirements are met.
- Consult VISN ISO to discuss time frames, scope of assignment and possible approaches.
- Implement a team of functional ISO's whose charter are to ensure compliance with policies.
- Restructure department staff into functional teams (network, servers, support, programming).
Information security officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Information Security Officers are proficient in Risk Management, Risk Assessments, and Incident Response. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Ingenuity, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Information Security Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Risk Management, 12%
Designed privacy / risk scorecard metrics for graphical visualization of risk portfolio for quarterly briefings to first-ever risk management steering council.
- Risk Assessments, 7%
Performed ongoing information risk assessments and audits to ensure that information systems were adequately protected and met HIPAA certification requirements.
- Incident Response, 7%
Established and Managed the Security Incident Response Team and forensics investigation of Visa and Mater Card related information security breaches.
- Infrastructure, 6%
Provided security services covering infrastructure security management, developed security organizational structure, budgeting, security policy development and security reporting.
- Governance, 5%
Collaborate with corporate C-level management teams and subsidiaries to provide concrete guidance in information security governance and enterprise security management challenges.
- ISO, 5%
Manage all aspects of departmental information security; develop policies and procedures based on established international standard ISO 27000 series.
Most information security officers use their skills in "risk management," "risk assessments," and "incident response" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential information security officer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for an information security officer to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what information security officers do because "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance." Additionally, an information security officer resume shows how information security officers use detail oriented: "revitalized fragmented it department customer support infrastructure to improve project and help desk initiatives by creating supportive customer oriented project teams. "
Ingenuity. Many information security officer duties rely on ingenuity. "information security analysts must anticipate information security risks and implement new ways to protect their organizations’ computer systems and networks.," so an information security officer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways information security officer responsibilities rely on ingenuity: "provide expertise and ingenuity to the risk and information security management tasks. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for information security officers to perform their duties. For an example of how information security officer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an information security officer: "designed, implemented and manage email encryption and archiving solutions. ".
Analytical skills. A big part of what information security officers do relies on "analytical skills." You can see how essential it is to information security officer responsibilities because "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical information security officer tasks: "chaired and enterprise-wide encryption working group tasked with developing a solution to securely encrypt sensitive data on mobile devices and media. "
The three companies that hire the most information security officers are:
- American Institutes for Research11 information security officers jobs
- Bank of America9 information security officers jobs
- Citi9 information security officers jobs
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Compare different information security officers
Information security officer vs. Access control specialist
An Access Control Specialist is in charge of implementing security protocols and systems to prevent unauthorized access into different facilities. They usually stand guard at entry points to greet and verify visitors' identity, conduct inspections to detect and collect prohibited items and work together with security teams to enforce security policies and regulations. Moreover, an Access Control Specialist may also handle and monitor security alarms and systems, respond to distress, and keep an eye on any suspicious activities.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, information security officer responsibilities require skills like "risk management," "risk assessments," "incident response," and "infrastructure." Meanwhile a typical access control specialist has skills in areas such as "control devices," "ts/sci," "customer service functions," and "customer facilities." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Access control specialists tend to reach lower levels of education than information security officers. In fact, access control specialists are 13.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Information security officer vs. Securities consultant
A securities consultant is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the company's premises, including enforcing protection for all the employees and company assets. Securities consultants also handle the confidentiality and stability of data network systems to prevent potential breaches and unauthorized access to information. They coordinate with the system analysts to design programs and databases as part of technical solutions to maximize productivity and increase efficiency. A securities consultant writes incident reports, recommend strategic techniques, and research threat risks that may put the company in jeopardy.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that information security officer responsibilities requires skills like "risk management," "governance," "security incidents," and "security awareness." But a securities consultant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "application security," "nist," "security issues," and "customer service."
On average, securities consultants earn a lower salary than information security officers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, securities consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $99,249. Whereas information security officers have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $130,505.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Securities consultants tend to reach lower levels of education than information security officers. In fact, they're 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information security officer vs. Securities analyst
Securities analysts, also known as financial analysts, are responsible for collecting and interpreting data on securities, economies, corporate strategies, and financial markets. They provide clients with recommendations on investments based on in-depth research. This role has various duties and responsibilities that include putting out a buy, sell or hold recommendation in the financial markets, assessing the value and financial stability of companies, and meeting with company representatives to better understand their business practices. Securities analysts are also responsible for devising financial models.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from information security officer resumes include skills like "risk management," "infrastructure," "governance," and "architecture," whereas a securities analyst is more likely to list skills in "security policies," "nist," "security systems," and "security issues. "
Securities analysts earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $95,246. Information security officers earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $130,505.securities analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to information security officers. Specifically, they're 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information security officer vs. Sap security consultant
An SAP security consultant is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of network and applications within the database management systems. SAP security consultants analyze the stability and efficiency of the user interface, authorize data access, and perform audits and quality checks. They also identify resolution for system issues and determine network solutions to increase optimization. An SAP security consultant must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in assisting end-users with the server navigations.
Types of information security officer
Updated January 8, 2025
