What does an information assurance engineer do?
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.
Information assurance engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real information assurance engineer resumes:
- Install, configure, and managing ACAS deployments to assess the current vulnerabilities and security posture for classify networks.
- Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
- Review system security plans, risk assessments, and compliance with NIST minimal security controls.
- Assess network against NIST SP 800-53 rev3 security controls.
- Review of PowerBroker root user logs on SOX UNIX systems.
- Automate regression scenarios and update existing regression suite (QTP).
- Respond to IAVA's and provide results to senior management for FISMA compliance.
- Develop a draft DIACAP package in support of the network connectivity approval process.
- Use of scanning tool results (NESSUS) leading to vulnerability identification and remediation.
- Review retina, gold disk, STIG findings and perform risk assessment and analysis.
- Program lead: endpoint encryption, vulnerability management, password management, least privilege.
- Provide security solutions and evaluates the impact new or update systems have on the security infrastructure.
- Assist in converting DIACAP documentation to RMF and NIST 800-53 standards covering systems in differing security enclaves.
- Support the organizational wide Microsoft network domain environment including LINUX clients in a virtual and physical scenario.
- Well verse in NIST, FISMA, DIACAP and several other laws, regulations, and standards.
Information assurance engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Information Assurance Engineers are proficient in RMF, DOD, and IAM. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Information Assurance Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- RMF, 9%
Utilize the Risk Management Framework (RMF) to acquire system Authority to Operate (ATO) status.
- DOD, 9%
Facilitate the accreditation of DoD and Federal Information technology systems and utilize technical skills to assess and implement required system controls.
- IAM, 5%
Planned risk reduction activities with Information Assurance Officer (IAO) and Information Assurance Manager (IAM).
- Windows, 5%
Acted as final escalation point for Windows systems administration issues for junior systems administrators.
- ACAS, 5%
Performed Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS), Scans Performed Security Compliance Automation Protocol Scans.
- Assurance Support, 4%
Supported USCENTCOM J6 Information Assurance supporting Components in USCENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR).
"rmf," "dod," and "iam" are among the most common skills that information assurance engineers use at work. You can find even more information assurance engineer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for an information assurance engineer 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, an information assurance engineer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "ensured authorized ia tools were used to perform vulnerability testing and analysis of networks and systems to ensure dod compliance. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling information assurance engineer duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance." According to an information assurance engineer resume, here's how information assurance engineers can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "prepared detailed security certification and accreditation documentation following dod information technology security certification and accreditation process (ditscap). "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of information assurance engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday information assurance engineer duties, as "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "installed and deployed v-one ssl vpn solution across a global dod network. "
The three companies that hire the most information assurance engineers are:
Choose from 10+ customizable information assurance engineer resume templates
Build a professional information assurance engineer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your information assurance engineer resume.
Compare different information assurance engineers
Information assurance engineer vs. Security administrator
A security administrator is in charge of establishing and enforcing security measures over a company's information systems and networks. Their duties typically revolve around installing and maintaining security networks, analyzing existing systems to identify areas needing improvement, conducting regular maintenance checks and upgrades to optimize services and functions, and monitoring overall systems for any suspicious activities or breaches. Furthermore, as a security administrator, it is essential to develop information technology solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between information assurance engineers and security administrator. For instance, information assurance engineer responsibilities require skills such as "rmf," "iam," "windows," and "acas." Whereas a security administrator is skilled in "customer service," "troubleshoot," "security procedures," and "data entry." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Security administrators really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $91,933. Comparatively, information assurance engineers tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $97,153.The education levels that security administrators earn slightly differ from information assurance engineers. In particular, security administrators are 8.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an information assurance engineer. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information assurance engineer vs. Access control specialist
An Access Control Specialist is in charge of implementing security protocols and systems to prevent unauthorized access into different facilities. They usually stand guard at entry points to greet and verify visitors' identity, conduct inspections to detect and collect prohibited items and work together with security teams to enforce security policies and regulations. Moreover, an Access Control Specialist may also handle and monitor security alarms and systems, respond to distress, and keep an eye on any suspicious activities.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that information assurance engineer responsibilities requires skills like "rmf," "iam," "acas," and "poa." But an access control specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "control devices," "ts/sci," "customer service functions," and "customer facilities."
In general, access control specialists achieve lower levels of education than information assurance engineers. They're 12.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for information assurance engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Information assurance engineer vs. Cyber security analyst
A cybersecurity analyst is responsible for planning and carrying out security measures to protect a company's computer networks and systems. They constantly keep tabs on threats and monitor their organization's networks for any security breaches. Their tasks involve installing computer programs or software and encryption, reporting breaches or weak spots, exploring new IT trends, educating the company's information security team on security. They also do simulate security attacks to find possible network and system vulnerabilities.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an information assurance engineer is likely to be skilled in "iam," "assurance support," "security engineering," and "computer system," while a typical cyber security analyst is skilled in "siem," "security events," "splunk," and "malware analysis."
Cyber security analysts earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $91,783. Information assurance engineers earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $97,153.cyber security analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to information assurance engineers. Specifically, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information assurance engineer vs. Securities analyst
Securities analysts, also known as financial analysts, are responsible for collecting and interpreting data on securities, economies, corporate strategies, and financial markets. They provide clients with recommendations on investments based on in-depth research. This role has various duties and responsibilities that include putting out a buy, sell or hold recommendation in the financial markets, assessing the value and financial stability of companies, and meeting with company representatives to better understand their business practices. Securities analysts are also responsible for devising financial models.
Types of information assurance engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
