With cyberattacks and data breaches on the rise, the need for skilled security professionals continues to grow. For those considering a career in security, there are many factors to weigh when determining if it’s the right path. By examining key questions around salary, job prospects, education, day-to-day responsibilities, and more, you can better evaluate if a security role is a good fit for your skills and interests.
What is the average security salary?
According to PayScale, the average salary for an information security analyst in the United States is $85,412 per year. Salaries range from $49,000 for entry-level roles to $139,000 for more experienced positions. Geographic location also impacts earning potential.
Here are average security salaries for some common roles:
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | $85,412 |
| Security Engineer | $99,809 |
| Security Architect | $131,723 |
| Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) | $170,928 |
As you can see, security professionals can earn very competitive salaries, especially as they progress into senior and leadership roles.
How do security salaries compare to other IT jobs?
Security salaries are on par with or greater than salaries for other careers in IT, especially as security professionals take on more senior roles. According to Glassdoor, the national average base salary across all IT jobs is $80,387. Security management positions tend to pay better than many other technology management roles.
While specialized technical positions like software engineering may offer higher salaries at the junior level, security professionals can earn more as they build expertise and move into leadership. The critical nature of security to any organization provides great earning potential over the long term.
What are the job prospects like for security careers?
Job prospects for information security careers are extremely strong and projected to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates information security analyst jobs will grow 33% through 2028, much faster than the average across all occupations. Openings for chief information security officers and similar executive leadership roles are also expected to increase as organizations prioritize cybersecurity.
With cyberattacks on the rise and technology use expanding, demand for security expertise exceeds supply. Employers across many industries are seeking security professionals to protect their infrastructure, applications, data, and users. Security hiring has remained robust even amid economic downturns due to the mission critical nature of the field.
Professionals with security certifications, specialized skills like penetration testing and digital forensics, and hands-on experience securing networks and systems are in especially high demand. With fast growth and plentiful job openings, security offers very promising prospects for building a long and rewarding career.
Which industries employ security professionals?
Information security jobs exist across nearly every industry, with some top employers including:
- Technology – At software, hardware, networking, and technology service companies, security talent helps protect source code, applications, systems, and sensitive user data.
- Finance – Banks, insurance providers, credit card companies, and other financial institutions retain security staff to safeguard critical assets like funds, accounts, and PII.
- Retail – Ecommerce retailers and brick-and-mortar stores employ security analysts to secure online transactions and shopper data.
- Government – Government agencies at the local, state, and federal level need security expertise to protect digital infrastructure and citizens’ personal information.
- Healthcare – Hospitals, insurers, and public health organizations handle highly sensitive medical data and rely on security to meet HIPAA and other privacy regulations.
Nearly every modern organization values security to some degree. Specialized security consulting firms also offer strong employment opportunities for seasoned professionals.
What degree or certifications are required?
Many employers prefer or require a bachelor’s degree for security roles, but hands-on skills and experience can still outweigh formal education. Common relevant majors include computer science, information technology, cyber operations, and management information systems (MIS). Some employers specifically target military veterans who have cybersecurity experience.
Specialized security certifications validate critical skills and expertise. Top certifications like the CISSP, CISM, CISA, CompTIA Security+, and CompTIA CySA+ help candidates stand out. Ongoing certifications and training are essential for staying current in the constantly evolving security landscape.
Is it possible to break into security without a technical background?
While many roles require hands-on technical expertise, opportunities do exist for non-technical security careers. Professionals with backgrounds in communications, business, law, human resources, and compliance are valued for security-related specialties like:
- Security awareness training
- Data privacy and compliance management
- Security project management
- Security policy and governance
- Vendor risk management
Experience or aptitude in risk analysis, audit, investigations, and related domains can also translate well into more strategic security functions for those without an IT background.
What does a typical day look like for a security professional?
Due to the broad nature of the field, day-to-day responsibilities vary greatly depending on the specific role. However, some common activities may include:
- Monitoring networks, endpoints, applications, and system logs for anomalies
- Performing penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify security gaps
- Analyzing intelligence and threat data to detect and respond to security incidents
- Recommending and implementing controls like access management, data encryption, and endpoint security tools
- Educating employees on security best practices through training and awareness programs
- Staying current on the latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities
- Collaborating with technology teams to remediate vulnerabilities and improve defenses
- Creating and iterating on security policies and procedures
- Preparing reports for leadership on security metrics, risks, and incidents
At a high level, the role involves proactively assessing risks, monitoring for and reacting to threats, executing security controls and processes, and advising the business. Professionals work closely with IT, engineering, product, and executive teams.
What soft skills are most important?
In addition to technical expertise, strong communication, collaboration, analytical, and problem-solving skills are critical for success. Key soft skills include:
- Communication – Distill complex security concepts for non-technical audiences like company leadership and the board of directors.
- Diplomacy – Persuade stakeholders to align on security best practices and priorities.
- Creativity – Devise solutions to novel security problems where guidelines may be unclear.
- Influence – Motivate behavior change and buy-in across the organization on security initiatives.
- Agility – Rapidly pivot to address ever-evolving cyber threats.
Just as important as technical know-how is the ability to effectively evangelize security across the business.
What are the upsides of a security career?
Working in security offers many potential advantages, including:
- Meaningful work – Help protect sensitive data and systems that enable key services.
- Growth – Constantly learn and develop new skills in a rapidly evolving field.
- Challenge – Solve complex problems creatively where standard solutions don’t apply.
- Pay – Earn a lucrative salary with potential to move into leadership roles.
- Variety – Wear many hats and interact with many facets of the business.
- Mobility – Take on rotational assignments to broaden experience.
- Stability – Build a recession-resilient career with strong job security.
For technologists, strategists, and problem-solvers passionate about protecting data and systems, a security career offers huge upside.
What motivates security professionals?
Here are key factors and motivations of those drawn to security roles:
- Interest in technology – Security intersects with nearly every aspect of tech and appeals to those who enjoy learning technical systems.
- Problem-solving – The core challenge of identifying and closing vulnerabilities excites analytical thinkers.
- Learning – The ever-evolving nature of threats means constant learning and skills development.
- Creativity – Securing dynamic environments requires thinking outside the box.
- Teaching – Educating users and advocating security best practices come with the territory.
- Meaning – Protecting critical systems and data feels inherently purposeful.
- Competition – Outsmarting malicious actors provides a mental challenge.
At its core, security attracts those seeking a dynamic career where no two days look the same.
What are potential downsides of security careers?
While security offers many advantages, potential drawbacks include:
- Stress – The weight of protecting the business can take a toll.
- Urgency – Incidents like breaches often demand urgent response.
- Unknowns – New threats arise constantly, requiring diligence.
- Trade-offs – Security priorities sometimes conflict with business goals.
- Blame – Security teams may be scapegoated unfairly if incidents occur.
- Complexity – Technical and communication challenges can frustrate.
- Travel – Getting face time with global or distributed teams may require travel.
The nature of the work also involves odd hours responding to incidents. While rewarding, the work is demanding and high-pressure.
How can these downsides be managed?
While downsides do exist, there are ways to mitigate them through focus on:
- Work-life balance – Take time to recharge. Don’t let the job become all-encompassing.
- Teamwork – Collaborate with others to share the burden during high-stress times.
- Communication – Set expectations with business leaders on security priorities and limitations.
- Perspective – Recognize that negative outcomes like breaches are often multi-factor.
- Proactive security – Implement robust defenses and processes to prevent incidents.
- Ongoing education – Keep learning to minimize uncertainty and frustration when addressing novel threats.
- Influence – Build relationships and trust to have greater sway with stakeholders.
With the right strategies, security teams can help keep stress and burnout at bay. Security should also be a shared business priority rather than the domain of just one team.
Conclusion
A career in security offers many rewards like competitive pay, strong job prospects, meaningful work, intellectual challenge, and more. However, the stress and urgency of the role also demands resilience. Ultimately, security is ideal for those who enjoy technology, learning, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. With passion for the mission of security, professionals can mitigate the downsides through strong coping strategies and support systems.
For the right individual, security represents an expanding field full of possibility to make a positive and lasting impact. With diligent assessment of the pros and cons, and deliberate steps to manage trade-offs, a security career can be deeply fulfilling and financially rewarding.