Data security analyst vs computer analyst

The differences between data security analysts and computer 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 data security analyst and a computer analyst. Additionally, a data security analyst has an average salary of $87,446, which is higher than the $75,852 average annual salary of a computer analyst.

The top three skills for a data security analyst include data security, incident response and access management. The most important skills for a computer analyst are computer system, troubleshoot, and C++.

Data security analyst vs computer analyst overview

	Data Security Analyst	Computer Analyst
Yearly salary	$87,446	$75,852
Hourly rate	$42.04	$36.47
Growth rate	32%	9%
Number of jobs	145,078	75,369
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	42	43
Years of experience	6	6

What does a data security analyst do?

A data security analyst's job is to protect computer systems and networks in a company. They are often the solitary individuals standing between a company's networks and potential hackers, and their abilities are highly in demand at this moment. The job role includes installing and uninstalling various security network programs, and these programs safeguard sensitive data by using firewalls with the use of data-encryption technology. In addition, they also help to implement security protocols depending on the need of the company, and they must be updated regularly to remove bugs and add new features.

What does a computer analyst do?

A computer analyst is responsible for generating technical solutions to improve operational efficiency and processes. Computer analysts create models for system applications and perform upgrades on software and hardware networks to boost optimization. They also develop strategic methods to enhance the performance of existing systems and identify inconsistencies for immediate resolution. A computer analyst must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in managing the security of computer data and setting the configuration and accessibility of networks for authorized users.

Data security analyst vs computer analyst salary

Data security analysts and computer analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Data Security Analyst	Computer Analyst
Average salary	$87,446	$75,852
Salary range	Between $63,000 And $120,000	Between $57,000 And $99,000
Highest paying City	Fairfield, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Washington
Best paying company	Meta	Citi
Best paying industry	Start-up	Technology

Differences between data security analyst and computer analyst education

There are a few differences between a data security analyst and a computer analyst in terms of educational background:

	Data Security Analyst	Computer Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Data security analyst vs computer analyst demographics

Here are the differences between data security analysts' and computer analysts' demographics:

	Data Security Analyst	Computer Analyst
Average age	42	43
Gender ratio	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%	Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	8%

Differences between data security analyst and computer analyst duties and responsibilities

Data security analyst example responsibilities.

Provide support for manage IP security services customers in a 24x7 UNIX operations center.
Manage quality control team of senior auditors, budgets, HIPAA compliance reports to CMS, monthly audit tracking/reporting.
Provide architecture and design guidance in network segmentation and isolation of PCI data and equipment in order to achieve PCI compliance.
Manage centralized and decentralize correlation servers for intrusion detection and log monitoring.
Log analysis & managing the accuracy of DLP identification to lowering/avoiding false positives and negatives.
Conduct system testing and implementation of the mainframe encryption.

Computer analyst example responsibilities.

Manage and create custom DNS for customers.
Manage technology deployment of major projects implementing select solutions using ITIL practices.
Serve as systems and network administrator managing hundreds of distribute Linux computers across campuses.
Manage inventory of forensic hardware and software utilities of forensic laboratory as well as maintaining forensic workstations and laboratory LAN.
Support OS environment, mainframe environment and PC's.
Schedule jobs, write Unix and Linux shell scripts, develop standards.

Data security analyst vs computer analyst skills

Common data security analyst skills

Data Security, 10%
Incident Response, 8%
Access Management, 6%
Encryption, 5%
SQL, 5%
Security Procedures, 4%

Common computer analyst skills

Computer System, 8%
Troubleshoot, 7%
C++, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Linux, 5%
Technical Support, 5%

Data Security Analyst vs. similar jobs

Data Security Analyst related careers

Data Security Analyst related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Computer and Mathematical Industry
Data Security Analyst
Data Security Analyst vs Computer Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse computer and mathematical jobs