Cyber security specialist vs information security analyst

The differences between cyber security specialists and information security analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a cyber security specialist and an information security analyst. Additionally, an information security analyst has an average salary of $98,144, which is higher than the $93,395 average annual salary of a cyber security specialist.

The top three skills for a cyber security specialist include cyber security, incident response and NIST. The most important skills for an information security analyst are incident response, risk assessments, and windows.

Cyber security specialist vs information security analyst overview

	Cyber Security Specialist	Information Security Analyst
Yearly salary	$93,395	$98,144
Hourly rate	$44.90	$47.18
Growth rate	32%	32%
Number of jobs	65,235	112,818
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	6

What does a cyber security specialist do?

Cybersecurity Specialists are information technology (IT) professionals who safeguard and protect the company's networks. They ensure that the network infrastructure is secure at all times. They do routine checks to see whether the infrastructure is vulnerable to attacks. Cybersecurity Specialists monitor and respond to security concerns. They launch programs or software to mitigate any attacks that the company's infrastructure may receive. They also look for ways to minimize the network infrastructure's vulnerability to risks, threats, and attacks.

What does an information security analyst do?

An information security analyst is an individual who is responsible for carrying out security measures to protect the computer network and systems of an organization. Information security analysts erect firewalls and encrypt data transmissions to protect the organization's data from being inappropriately accessed or used. They must be aware of reports on computer viruses and should share this information with the management or customer. Information security analysts are also required to conduct training for all the organization's employees regarding computer security and information safeguarding.

Cyber security specialist vs information security analyst salary

Cyber security specialists and information security analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cyber Security Specialist	Information Security Analyst
Average salary	$93,395	$98,144
Salary range	Between $69,000 And $125,000	Between $71,000 And $135,000
Highest paying City	Bellevue, WA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	BP America Inc	The Walt Disney Company
Best paying industry	Technology	Professional

Differences between cyber security specialist and information security analyst education

There are a few differences between a cyber security specialist and an information security analyst in terms of educational background:

	Cyber Security Specialist	Information Security Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Computer Science	Business
Most common college	North Carolina State University	Stanford University

Cyber security specialist vs information security analyst demographics

Here are the differences between cyber security specialists' and information security analysts' demographics:

	Cyber Security Specialist	Information Security Analyst
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%	Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between cyber security specialist and information security analyst duties and responsibilities

Cyber security specialist example responsibilities.

Manage and monitor enterprise antivirus and software firewall programs.
Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
Scan network infrastructure for insecurities and vulnerabilities using programs such as ACAS and HBSS.
Work on implementing DISA STIGS.
Assist in using Nessus to scan local machines.
Upload audit files to ACAS in preparation for STIG scans.

Information security analyst example responsibilities.

Manage IA personnel in the performance of IAVM tasks.
Lead maritime IP intrusion detection analysis special project providing models to identify Cyber terrorist's capabilities, methods, and strategies.
Manage and configure perimeter Cisco routers and switches.
Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
Perform vulnerability assessment and remediation of systems to ensure compliance to policies, regulations and controls (HIPAA & NIST).
Monitor and analyze SIEM events to identify security issues for remediation.

Cyber security specialist vs information security analyst skills

Common cyber security specialist skills

Cyber Security, 17%
Incident Response, 6%
NIST, 5%
Security Operations, 4%
Forensics, 4%
DOD, 3%

Common information security analyst skills

Incident Response, 7%
Risk Assessments, 5%
Windows, 5%
SIEM, 4%
Data Loss Prevention, 4%
Network Security, 3%

Cyber Security Specialist vs. similar jobs

Cyber Security Specialist related careers

Cyber Security Specialist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Computer and Mathematical Industry
Cyber Security Specialist
Cyber Security Specialist vs Information Security Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse computer and mathematical jobs