Information security administrator vs cyber security specialist

The differences between information security administrators and cyber 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 security administrator and a cyber security specialist. Additionally, a cyber security specialist has an average salary of $93,395, which is higher than the $81,604 average annual salary of an information security administrator.

The top three skills for an information security administrator include incident response, security systems and data loss prevention. The most important skills for a cyber security specialist are cyber security, incident response, and NIST.

Information security administrator vs cyber security specialist overview

	Information Security Administrator	Cyber Security Specialist
Yearly salary	$81,604	$93,395
Hourly rate	$39.23	$44.90
Growth rate	32%	32%
Number of jobs	157,160	65,235
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	6

What does an information security administrator do?

An Information Security Administrator focuses on the proper installation of surveillance systems in a building or residence. This person is responsible for ensuring the appropriate installment of CCTV cameras and other equipment necessary to protect a perimeter adequately. Their responsibilities include ensuring the protection of all surveillance equipment from tampering, theft, and damage and providing support for the owner to resolve problems with the system and provide troubleshooting.

What does a cyber security specialist do?

Cybersecurity Specialists are information technology (IT) professionals who safeguard and protect the company's networks. They ensure that the network infrastructure is secure at all times. They do routine checks to see whether the infrastructure is vulnerable to attacks. Cybersecurity Specialists monitor and respond to security concerns. They launch programs or software to mitigate any attacks that the company's infrastructure may receive. They also look for ways to minimize the network infrastructure's vulnerability to risks, threats, and attacks.

Information security administrator vs cyber security specialist salary

Information security administrators and cyber security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Information Security Administrator	Cyber Security Specialist
Average salary	$81,604	$93,395
Salary range	Between $57,000 And $116,000	Between $69,000 And $125,000
Highest paying City	Roseville, CA	Bellevue, WA
Highest paying state	California	Washington
Best paying company	Nasdaq	BP America Inc
Best paying industry	Retail	Technology

Differences between information security administrator and cyber security specialist education

There are a few differences between an information security administrator and a cyber security specialist in terms of educational background:

	Information Security Administrator	Cyber Security Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	North Carolina State University

Information security administrator vs cyber security specialist demographics

Here are the differences between information security administrators' and cyber security specialists' demographics:

	Information Security Administrator	Cyber Security Specialist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 62.7% Female, 37.3%	Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
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%

Differences between information security administrator and cyber security specialist duties and responsibilities

Information security administrator example responsibilities.

Lead enterprise-wide virtualization effort, overseeing and completing vendor/hardware qualifications, architecture/design, installation, configuration, migration and documentation.
Work with auditors to gather the proper information for PCI and SOX audits and submit the information in timely require manner.
Create and conduct HIPAA training program for executive management and general staff.
Establish HIPAA policies and procedures and implement system measures to ensure compliance.
Interface with business managers, end-users and technical staff for provisioning of access.
Deploy new systems and network devices to include provisioning of access controls and monitoring.

Cyber security specialist example responsibilities.

Manage and monitor enterprise antivirus and software firewall programs.
Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
Scan network infrastructure for insecurities and vulnerabilities using programs such as ACAS and HBSS.
Work on implementing DISA STIGS.
Assist in using Nessus to scan local machines.
Upload audit files to ACAS in preparation for STIG scans.

Information security administrator vs cyber security specialist skills

Common information security administrator skills

Incident Response, 6%
Security Systems, 6%
Data Loss Prevention, 5%
Security Policies, 5%
Security Procedures, 4%
IDS, 4%

Common cyber security specialist skills

Cyber Security, 17%
Incident Response, 6%
NIST, 5%
Security Operations, 4%
Forensics, 4%
DOD, 3%

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Information Security Administrator vs Cyber Security Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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