What does an information assurance do?
An information assurance refers to a practice of assuring information to manage risks involving the storage, processing, and data transmission of information systems. The purpose of such practice is to protect the integrity, authenticity, availability of information, as well as confidentiality of user data. Information assurance focuses on gathering data and its purpose has become important to business transactions and processes since data security relies on digital handling practices aside from protecting the organization's ability to operate.
Information assurance responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real information assurance resumes:
- Lead implementation for new DAR solution for global disk encryption, developing management policy to prevent document and data leakage.
- Execute a cybersecurity program maturity assessment at a global food and beverage company (base on ISO 27001 and NIST frameworks )
- Download and install IAVA patches.
- Recommend solution (s) to fix application security issue (s) to comply with DoD 5200-01R as a basis.
- Assume primary operational responsibility for Symantec DLP implementation
- Apply expertise in writing IATTs and ATOs for the directorate.
- Configure users access to the system, conducting ongoing self assurance audits for inactive system users, accessing SQL reporting system.
- Create documentation and training to effectively troubleshoot proxies and resolve customer issues.
Information assurance skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Information Assurances are proficient in DOD, RMF, and NIST. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Information Assurances that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- DOD, 14%
Provide Information Assurance guidance to DoD and U.S. Navy clients in accordance with Information Security policies and procedures.
- RMF, 13%
Write program-specific documentation using RMF processes and procedures.
- NIST, 13%
Tailored identified security controls as stated in NIST 800-53 REV 4 to fit into the environment.
- Windows, 8%
Create Installation and Test Procedures for WAVES Windows 7 software.
- ACAS, 5%
Installed, configured, and managing ACAS deployments to assess the current vulnerabilities and security posture for classified networks.
- National Security, 5%
Verify that security strategies and architectures meet regulatory, international security standards, audit standards, and business mission requirements.
Most information assurances use their skills in "dod," "rmf," and "nist" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential information assurance responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for an information assurance 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 resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "managed network traffic analysis tool solarwinds and hbss host based security system ids. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform information assurance duties is detail oriented. Information assurances responsibilities require that "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance." Information assurances also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "conducted technical security tests and evaluations: conducting risk and vulnerability assessments of it systems, providing detailed risk mitigation recommendations. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for information assurances to perform their duties. For an example of how information assurance responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an information assurance: "recommended solution(s) to fix application security issue(s) to comply with dod 5200-01r as a basis. ".
The three companies that hire the most information assurances are:
- Ernst & Young13 information assurances jobs
- Kimberly-Clark8 information assurances jobs
- Leidos6 information assurances jobs
Compare different information assurances
Information assurance 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 similarities exist, there are also some differences between information assurances and access control specialist. For instance, information assurance responsibilities require skills such as "rmf," "nist," "acas," and "national security." Whereas a access control specialist is skilled in "control devices," "ts/sci," "customer service functions," and "customer facilities." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that access control specialists earn slightly differ from information assurances. In particular, access control specialists are 10.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an information assurance. Additionally, they're 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information assurance vs. Security engineer
Security engineers are responsible for developing and overseeing data and security software to help prevent data breaches, leaks, and taps related to cybercrime. Other duties and responsibilities include developing new systems to help protect computer networks and assets, configuring firewalls, and conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Additionally, security engineers are responsible for investigating attacks and help prevent cybersecurity threat. They are also responsible for creating new processes for authorization, encryption algorithms, and authentication, and analyzing current security policies.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real information assurance resumes. While information assurance responsibilities can utilize skills like "rmf," "acas," "computer system," and "ato," security engineers use skills like "java," "cloud security," "infrastructure," and "application security."
Security engineers earn a higher average salary than information assurances. But security engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $126,572. Additionally, information assurances earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $75,452 annually.In general, security engineers achieve similar levels of education than information assurances. They're 0.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information assurance 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 is likely to be skilled in "nist," "computer system," "iava," and "ids," while a typical cyber security analyst is skilled in "siem," "linux," "security events," and "splunk."
Cyber security analysts earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $91,783. Comparatively, information assurances have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $75,452.cyber security analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to information assurances. Specifically, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information assurance vs. Personnel security specialist
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.
Types of information assurance
Updated January 8, 2025
