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The differences between information assurance analysts 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 an information assurance analyst and an information security analyst. Additionally, an information security analyst has an average salary of $98,144, which is higher than the $77,184 average annual salary of an information assurance analyst.
The top three skills for an information assurance analyst include RMF, DOD and ACAS. The most important skills for an information security analyst are incident response, risk assessments, and windows.
| Information Assurance Analyst | Information Security Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $77,184 | $98,144 |
| Hourly rate | $37.11 | $47.18 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 104,926 | 112,818 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Information assurance analysts are professionals who are responsible for conducting vulnerability management activities to assess potential threats. These analysts are required to establish information technology (IT) programs that protect member information from internal and external data loss. They need to develop security policies and procedures so that they can achieve ISO certification. They must also monitor and maintain networks while conducting a full range of security-related analysis to evaluate suspicious activities. Information assurance analysts must also review logs and interview personnel to determine the level of investigation or disciplinary actions.
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.
Information assurance analysts and information security analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Assurance Analyst | Information Security Analyst | |
| Average salary | $77,184 | $98,144 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $108,000 | Between $71,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | California |
| Best paying company | Apptio | The Walt Disney Company |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between an information assurance analyst and an information security analyst in terms of educational background:
| Information Assurance Analyst | Information Security Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Information Systems | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information assurance analysts' and information security analysts' demographics:
| Information Assurance Analyst | Information Security Analyst | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | 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% |