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What is a chief of security and how to become one
Typically, the chief of security's duties includes providing physical security. But there are also heads of security who secure companies and governments' records. Although they provide an organization with physical safety or emergency response systems, digital security is becoming a common concern for today's companies. This means that the chief of security spends the day securing confidential digital information in an environment with rapidly evolving technologies.
As an administrator, the chief of security may also serve as the public speaker on all matters relating to information security in businesses. Professionals in this area usually need to schedule technical reports to give this information to people of diverse backgrounds. The Chief of Security establishes and retains good contact networks and support through different divisions to improve the security measures.
The chief of security must stay updated to implement reliable data protection and emerging developments in data protection and safety risks. They also carry out risk identification and crisis control duties. Other activities include creating data protection suitable for a given field, such as media organizations or specific forms of data.
Avg. Salary $106,803
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 16%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%
Asian 7.83%
Black or African American 7.73%
Hispanic or Latino 12.97%
Unknown 4.71%
White 66.09%
Genderfemale 10.67%
male 89.33%
Age - 47American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 47Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Chief of security career paths
Key steps to become a chief of security
Explore chief of security education requirements
Start to develop specific chief of security skills
Skills Percentages Security Procedures 12.45% Emergency Situations 11.26% Oversight 7.18% Security Policies 6.40% Security Program 5.45% Complete relevant chief of security training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New chiefs of security 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 chief of security based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real chief of security resumes.Gain additional chief of security certifications
More About CertificationsChief of security certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific chief of security certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for chiefs of security include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Research chief of security duties and responsibilities
- Lead SSO inputs for 5 SCIF facility remodels totaling $4.5M, ensure DOD and DIA requirements are met.
- Manage institution-wide information security governance processes including the creation and deployment of the initial security policy using the ISO framework.
- Create inventory of all HIPAA, PCI and other PII data types.
- Enforce DoD security regulations, NISPOM, and DCID requirements with other DoD counterparts and product centers.
Get chief of security experience
Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a chief of security. The most common roles before becoming a chief of security include security officer, correction officer team lead and police officer.Prepare your chief of security resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your chief of security resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a chief of security resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable chief of security resume templates
Build a professional chief of security resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your chief of security resume.
Apply for chief of security jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a chief of security 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
How did you land your first chief of security job
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Average chief of security salary
The average chief of security salary in the United States is $106,803 per year or $51 per hour. Chief of security salaries range between $61,000 and $184,000 per year.
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Chief of security reviews
Untrained individuals with no background in security Interfering with security operations. that put life and property at risk. Folk who fail to take security and safety serious.
Updated January 8, 2025
