What does a computer security specialist do?
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. ".
The three companies that hire the most computer security specialists are:
- Aerojet Rocketdyne1 computer security specialists jobs
- CAE1 computer security specialists jobs
- NOVAworks1 computer security specialists jobs
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Types of computer security specialist
Updated January 8, 2025











