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What is an information security consultant and how to become one
Information security is imperative to an organization's health and longevity, which is why it is often necessary to hire an information security consultant who can help improve an organization's security measures, protocols, and framework.
Being an information security consultant comes with the responsibilities of assessing network systems, evaluating current security measures, developing new strategies and protocols, and helping organizations implement and monitor these developments. They work closely with the IT department of their client's organization, as well as the managers involved in data management and information security. They may work as independent consultants, in-house employees, or as part of a business consultancy firm.
The major qualification for this role is a degree in information technology, computer systems security, business, or another relevant field. And since this is a consultancy job, five or more years of industry experience is a must to prove credibility and reliability. Furthermore, an information security consultant should have outstanding skills in communication, strategy, organization, and client relations. The salary of an information technology consultant is above average at around $89,000 per year.
What general advice would you give to an information security consultant?
Robert Cutlip Ph.D.
Director, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics Programs, Website
Avg. Salary $103,316
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 32%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%
Asian 9.64%
Black or African American 9.15%
Hispanic or Latino 8.99%
Unknown 6.09%
White 65.70%
Genderfemale 28.98%
male 71.02%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Information security consultant career paths
Key steps to become an information security consultant
Explore information security consultant education requirements
Start to develop specific information security consultant skills
Skills Percentages Risk Assessments 6.48% Risk Management 6.40% SQL 6.24% NIST 5.92% Infrastructure 5.85% Complete relevant information security consultant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information security consultants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an information security consultant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information security consultant resumes.Gain additional information security consultant certifications
More About CertificationsInformation security consultant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific information security consultant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for information security consultants include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
Research information security consultant duties and responsibilities
- Manage the conversion to a hybrid NAS/disk/tape CommVault base backup environment resulting in decreasing backup windows and improving recovery objectives.
- Perform privacy and security assessments and HIPAA compliance analysis of cloud-base medical service; draft legal opinion letter regarding same.
- Provide guidance to different teams for closing critical infrastructure, network and application security vulnerabilities report in 3rd party security audit.
- Defined/Creat tables, process SQL backup restore via export/import.
Prepare your information security consultant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information security consultant resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an information security consultant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable information security consultant resume templates
Build a professional information security consultant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your information security consultant resume.
Apply for information security consultant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an information security consultant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first information security consultant job
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Average information security consultant salary
The average information security consultant salary in the United States is $103,316 per year or $50 per hour. Information security consultant salaries range between $76,000 and $138,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
