Post job

What does a computer security specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
On this page

Computer security specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer security specialist resumes:

  • Review and manage the security and information assurance capabilities of database applications, database structure and architecture.
  • Perform monthly IA evaluation of systems per DISA STIG guidance using approve DoD & DISA tools.
  • Conduct audits, analyze system security incidents, and recommend remediation efforts to meet DoD standards.
  • Evaluate, implement, and maintain encryption standards.
  • Perform data encryption testing for a proprietary encryption key that encrypt data at rest on platforms.
  • Perform Nessus vulnerability scans of critical enterprise servers and devices; report results to management.
  • Provide technical leadership, task management, and engineering support to customers in the development of cryptography and key management solutions.
  • Participate as a team member on a multiple task DNS security engineering effort for DISA.
  • Evaluate engineering changes, security impact evaluation for security-relate OS, software, COTS/GOTS applications.
  • Entrust certificates are utilized for web server SSL support also business application user authentication and transaction signing.

Computer security specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 13% of Computer Security Specialists are proficient in ACAS, FISMA, and DOD. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Computer Security Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • ACAS, 13%

    Subject Matter Expert (SME) level knowledge of Assured Compliance Assessment System (ACAS).

  • FISMA, 11%

    Experience with FISMA, Government compliance and best practices.

  • DOD, 10%

    Conducted audits, analyzed system security incidents, and recommended remediation efforts to meet DoD standards.

  • Security Policies, 10%

    Managed the Information Security mailbox via Lotus Notes and responded to inquiries regarding security policies and procedures.

  • Linux, 7%

    Developed testing procedures for vulnerability assessments within Army networks utilizing Linux, Windows products, and various freeware scripting solutions.

  • Incident Response, 7%

    Participated in incident response teams, and provided compliance and audit support.

Most computer security specialists use their skills in "acas," "fisma," and "dod" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential computer security specialist responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a computer security specialist to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved." Additionally, a computer security specialist resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "performed data encryption testing for a proprietary encryption key that encrypted data at rest on platforms. "

Detail oriented. Many computer security specialist duties rely on detail oriented. "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.," so a computer security specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways computer security specialist responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "performed detailed analysis on host metadata to populate the asset module of arcsight siem to improve event correlation. "

Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for computer security specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how computer security specialist 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 a computer security specialist: "developed a new solution with ids log reports to summarize employee activity versus restricted and inappropriate web addresses. ".

All computer security specialist skills

Choose from 10+ customizable computer security specialist resume templates

Build a professional computer security specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your computer security specialist resume.
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume
Computer Security Specialist Resume

Compare different computer security specialists

Computer security specialist vs. Information assurance engineer

Information assurance engineers are responsible for protecting an organization's data. They act as a team of security specialists that use their skill in securely operating and keeping data to protect the organization's most essential asset. Their main role is to guarantee the quality, security, and retrievability of the organization's information. Also, they outline security systems that make certain the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of data. Additionally, they secure IT infrastructure, maintain hardware and software updated, establish security standards, and monitor threats like breaches.

If we compare the average computer security specialist annual salary with that of an information assurance engineer, we find that information assurance engineers typically earn a $11,618 lower salary than computer security specialists make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both computer security specialist and information assurance engineer positions are skilled in acas, fisma, and dod.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a computer security specialist are more likely to require skills like "security policies," "system administration," "customer service," and "disa." On the other hand, a job as an information assurance engineer requires skills like "rmf," "iam," "windows," and "assurance support." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Information assurance engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the professional industry, with an average yearly salary of $97,153. On the other hand, computer security specialists are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $118,028.The education levels that information assurance engineers earn slightly differ from computer security specialists. In particular, information assurance engineers are 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a computer security specialist. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Computer security specialist 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.

A career as a securities consultant brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a computer security specialist. In fact, securities consultants salary is $8,817 lower than the salary of computer security specialists per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both computer security specialists and securities consultants have skills such as "fisma," "dod," and "security policies. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real computer security specialist resumes. While computer security specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "acas," "fips," "network security," and "system administration," securities consultants use skills like "cloud security," "java," "application security," and "iso."

Securities consultants may earn a lower salary than computer security specialists, but securities consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $99,249. On the other hand, computer security specialists receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $118,028.securities consultants earn similar levels of education than computer security specialists in general. They're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Computer security specialist vs. Security engineer

Security engineers are responsible for developing and overseeing data and security software to help prevent data breaches, leaks, and taps related to cybercrime. Other duties and responsibilities include developing new systems to help protect computer networks and assets, configuring firewalls, and conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Additionally, security engineers are responsible for investigating attacks and help prevent cybersecurity threat. They are also responsible for creating new processes for authorization, encryption algorithms, and authentication, and analyzing current security policies.

On average, security engineers earn higher salaries than computer security specialists, with a $3,615 difference per year.By looking over several computer security specialists and security engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "fisma," "dod," and "security policies." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, computer security specialists are more likely to have skills like "acas," "system administration," "customer service," and "isso." But a security engineer is more likely to have skills like "java," "cloud security," "infrastructure," and "application security."

Security engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $126,572. Computer security specialists earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $118,028.When it comes to education, security engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to computer security specialists. In fact, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Computer security specialist vs. Information technology security manager

An information technology security manager is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's network systems to prevent unauthorized access and illegal dissemination of information from the database. Information technology security managers resolve technical issues, configure network updates, and upgrade system infrastructures to enhance optimal performance and navigation. They also install applications, inspect security breaches, and fix faulty servers to avoid system downtimes and operational delays. An information technology security manager must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing reports for system findings and design networks according to business requirements.

Information technology security managers typically earn higher pay than computer security specialists. On average, information technology security managers earn a $23,883 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, computer security specialists and information technology security managers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "fisma," "dod," and "linux. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "acas," "security policies," "fips," and "system administration" are skills that commonly show up on computer security specialist resumes. On the other hand, information technology security managers use skills like nist, risk management, project management, and iso on their resumes.The hospitality industry tends to pay the highest salaries for information technology security managers, with average annual pay of $127,504. Comparatively, the highest computer security specialist annual salary comes from the professional industry.The average resume of information technology security managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to computer security specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.

Types of computer security specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs