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The differences between information assurance analysts and personnel security specialists 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 a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a personnel security specialist has an average salary of $78,967, 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 a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.
| Information Assurance Analyst | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $77,184 | $78,967 |
| Hourly rate | $37.11 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 104,926 | 52,507 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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.
A personnel security specialist is responsible for conducting background checks and collecting requirements for security clearance. Personnel security specialists write background check reports, coordinate with other institutions for further investigations, and determining the eligibility of candidates for clearance. They must have excellent communication and researching skills to identify and gather data suitable for employment purposes. A personnel security specialist verifies and processes information according to security procedures and protocols, providing accurate information and managing data disputes.
Information assurance analysts and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Assurance Analyst | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average salary | $77,184 | $78,967 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $108,000 | Between $49,000 And $124,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Apptio | Palantir |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between an information assurance analyst and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:
| Information Assurance Analyst | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Computer Information Systems | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between information assurance analysts' and personnel security specialists' demographics:
| Information Assurance Analyst | Personnel Security Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% |
| 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% |