How To Become A Certified Information Systems Security Professional: What It Is and Career Path

What is a certified information systems security professional and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average certified information systems security professional salary is $102,992. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an computer information systems major. It usually takes 4-6 years of experience to become a certified information systems security professional. Certified information systems security professionals with a Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 32% and produce 35,500 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreCertified Information Systems Security ProfessionalUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $102,992

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.5

Growth rate 32%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%

Asian 9.64%

Black or African American 9.15%

Hispanic or Latino 8.99%

Unknown 6.09%

White 65.70%

Gender

female 12.73%

male 87.27%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

6.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a certified information systems security professional

Explore certified information systems security professional education requirements

Most common certified information systems security professional degrees

Bachelor's

54.2 %

Master's

20.8 %

Associate

20.8 %

Start to develop specific certified information systems security professional skills

Skills	Percentages
Windows	11.52%
NIST	10.82%
Linux	9.83%
Incident Response	8.53%
ISO	6.94%

Complete relevant certified information systems security professional training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New certified information systems security professionals learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a certified information systems security professional based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real certified information systems security professional resumes.

Research certified information systems security professional duties and responsibilities

Manage security audit projects to industry standards and federal regulations (SOX, SSAE16, FFIEC).
Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
Utilize IBM's SIEM, QRadar, to proactively protect Sherwin-William's assets.
Review DOD compliance database for open assets, late reporting and current compliance on newly post IAVAs and short suspense IAVAs.

Apply for certified information systems security professional jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a certified information systems security professional job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average certified information systems security professional salary

The average certified information systems security professional salary in the United States is $102,992 per year or $50 per hour. Certified information systems security professional salaries range between $77,000 and $136,000 per year.

Average certified information systems security professional salary

$102,992 Yearly

$49.52 hourly

How do certified information systems security professionals rate their job?

What is a certified information systems security professional and how to become one

Key steps to become a certified information systems security professional

Explore certified information systems security professional education requirements

Most common certified information systems security professional degrees

Start to develop specific certified information systems security professional skills

Complete relevant certified information systems security professional training and internships

Research certified information systems security professional duties and responsibilities

Apply for certified information systems security professional jobs

How did you land your first certified information systems security professional job

Average certified information systems security professional salary

How do certified information systems security professionals rate their job?