Chief of security vs chief security officer

The differences between chiefs of security and chief security officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a chief of security, becoming a chief security officer takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a chief security officer has an average salary of $144,017, which is higher than the $106,803 average annual salary of a chief of security.

The top three skills for a chief of security include security procedures, emergency situations and oversight. The most important skills for a chief security officer are oversight, risk management, and security program.

Chief of security vs chief security officer overview

	Chief Of Security	Chief Security Officer
Yearly salary	$106,803	$144,017
Hourly rate	$51.35	$69.24
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	59,131	107,163
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	8

What does a chief of security do?

A chief of security manages the security team's performance, monitors their company's security systems, and makes sure that the target level of security is met. Now and then, this officer may be expected to be a part of special projects that can fall outside their department but are still related to their job. Having the technical skills, leadership skills, and security knowledge are necessary to perform this job well. He/She or she is responsible for how the equipment provided by the company will be used to help improve the security of the staff, premises, and company data.

What does a chief security officer do?

Chief security officers are a part of a company's executives assigned to secure all company assets, personnel, and premises. The importance of this position increases with the continuous innovation of technology. These officers need to have advanced computer skills and critical thinking skills and be meticulous about details. Having chief security officers in a company can help add value to the company and gain a competitive advantage over competitors. They also manage a network of managers, staff, and security directors and coordinate with law enforcement or other security agencies.

Chief of security vs chief security officer salary

Chiefs of security and chief security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chief Of Security	Chief Security Officer
Average salary	$106,803	$144,017
Salary range	Between $61,000 And $184,000	Between $101,000 And $204,000
Highest paying City	Foster City, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Microsoft	McKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industry	Professional	Insurance

Differences between chief of security and chief security officer education

There are a few differences between a chief of security and a chief security officer in terms of educational background:

	Chief Of Security	Chief Security Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	California State University - Bakersfield

Chief of security vs chief security officer demographics

Here are the differences between chiefs of security' and chief security officers' demographics:

	Chief Of Security	Chief Security Officer
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7%	Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 7.8% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 12.6% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	10%	11%

Differences between chief of security and chief security officer duties and responsibilities

Chief of security example 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.
Monitor the travel of employees and visitors through the use of CCTV cameras and the use of identity access cards.
Conduct investigations and maintain CCTV camera system.

Chief security officer example responsibilities.

Manage SOX information security assessments.
Manage institution-wide information security governance processes including the creation and deployment of the initial security policy using the ISO framework.
Coordinate effective information exchange that begin with administrative controls using local encryption; direct migration to secure telecommunications links.
Enable secure transactions and electronic point-to-point communications, in private and secure digital encryption, leveraging digital signatures, without plugins.
Provide [] COBIT, and FISMA security program assessments.
Conduct destruction of COMSEC classify and unclassify material and maintain material inventories.

Chief of security vs chief security officer skills

Common chief of security skills

Security Procedures, 12%
Emergency Situations, 11%
Oversight, 7%
Security Policies, 6%
Security Program, 5%
Criminal Justice, 5%

Common chief security officer skills

Oversight, 6%
Risk Management, 5%
Security Program, 5%
Security Policies, 5%
CSO, 5%
Incident Response, 4%

Chief Of Security vs. similar jobs

Chief Of Security related careers

Chief Of Security related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Chief Of Security
Chief Of Security vs Chief Security Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs