What does an information security consultant do?
Information Security Consultants are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for assessing computer and network systems to implement security solutions for the IT needs of an organization. These consultants must prevent unauthorized access to financial and personal information of the organization by assessing its existing infrastructures and systems for weaknesses. They must provide advice and recommendations on the best method to ensure security for their IT system. Information Security Consultants must also perform penetration testing and malware analysis to identify any network weaknesses.
Information security consultant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real information security consultant resumes:
- 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.
- Select and on-board audit firm to perform management SOX testing.
- Perform ISO testing to ensure compliance with security framework controls.
- Work on securing other companies information systems through SQL injection sequences.
- Assess risks in line with the questionnaire responses and evidences to meet ISO requirements.
- Perform full scope SOX audit management for audit and accounting consultancy focuse on realty sector.
- Utilize ArcSight SIEM technologies to conduct effective security event analysis, monitoring and case tracking.
- Research and develop outlines on SIEM use cases to address knowledge base challenges and future documentation needs.
- Include mandatory design practices and technical features in the solution including cost case to accommodate relevant FTI safeguards and HIPAA controls.
- Prepare system DIACP and NIST accreditation documentation for government customers and contractors.
- Revamp security policy to comply with current security standards and existing corporate governance.
- Develop a comprehensive set of information security policies, procedures and standards covering all NIST requirements http: //web.nvd.nist.gov/view/800-53/home.
Information security consultant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Information Security Consultants are proficient in Risk Assessments, Risk Management, and SQL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Ingenuity.
We break down the percentage of Information Security Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Risk Assessments, 6%
Performed security risk assessments with ranking and recommendations for remediation.
- Risk Management, 6%
Performed security analysis to include evaluation, risk management, certification, and testing of secure information systems.
- SQL, 6%
Specialized in Data Loss prevention and mediation of SQL Injections.
- NIST, 6%
Facilitate Certification/Accreditation, Security engineering efforts for FISMA compliance, NIST SP-800.
- Infrastructure, 6%
Provide guidance to different teams for closing critical infrastructure, network and application security vulnerabilities reported in 3rd party security audit.
- Subject Matter Expertise, 6%
Provide RACF and mainframe security subject matter expertise as needed in security review and design implementation/infrastructure meetings.
"risk assessments," "risk management," and "sql" are among the most common skills that information security consultants use at work. You can find even more information security consultant responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an information security consultant to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what information security consultants do 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 security consultant resume shows how information security consultants use analytical skills: "audited and modified data in the system database through scripts and sql commands using toad for oracle 12. "
Detail oriented. Many information security consultant duties rely on detail oriented. "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.," so an information security consultant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways information security consultant responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "validated and tested complex security architecture and design solutions to produce detailed engineering specifications with recommended vendor technologies. "
Ingenuity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of information security consultants is ingenuity. This skill is critical to many everyday information security consultant duties, as "information security analysts must anticipate information security risks and implement new ways to protect their organizations’ computer systems and networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provide expertise and ingenuity to the risk and information security management tasks. "
Problem-solving skills. information security consultant responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." This resume example shows what information security consultants do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "managed the rollout of encryption software to 11,000 united states government solution employees. "
The three companies that hire the most information security consultants are:
- Capital One277 information security consultants jobs
- MassMutual50 information security consultants jobs
- Mandiant
20 information security consultants jobs
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Compare different information security consultants
Information security consultant 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an information security consultant are more likely to require skills like "risk assessments," "risk management," "nist," and "infrastructure." On the other hand, a job as a security administrator requires skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," "security procedures," and "data entry." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Security administrators earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $91,933. On the other hand, information security consultants are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $107,170.The education levels that security administrators earn slightly differ from information security consultants. In particular, security administrators are 8.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an information security consultant. Additionally, they're 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information security consultant 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that information security consultant responsibilities requires skills like "risk management," "infrastructure," "subject matter expertise," and "cloud security." But a securities analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "security policies," "database," "security events," and "strong problem-solving."
Securities analysts earn a lower average salary than information security consultants. But securities analysts earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $95,246. Additionally, information security consultants earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $107,170 annually.In general, securities analysts achieve similar levels of education than information security consultants. They're 2.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information security consultant vs. Senior consultant, information technology
A senior consultant of information technology is primarily responsible for developing strategies and procedures to optimize a company's information technology systems and infrastructure. It is their duty to assess existing networks and systems to identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop solutions in problem areas, perform risk assessments, and provide advice on how to achieve the best information technology practices. Furthermore, as a senior consultant, it is essential to lead the efforts and serve as a role model for the workforce, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, information security consultants are more likely to have skills like "risk assessments," "risk management," "sql," and "nist." But a senior consultant, information technology is more likely to have skills like "architecture," "client facing," "healthcare," and "shared services."
Senior consultants, information technology earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $117,869. Comparatively, information security consultants have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $107,170.Most senior consultants, information technology achieve a higher degree level compared to information security consultants. For example, they're 5.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Information security consultant 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between information security consultants and security engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an information security consultant might have more use for skills like "risk management," "subject matter expertise," "governance," and "project management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of security engineers require skills like "troubleshoot," "security solutions," "security vulnerabilities," and "ruby. "
In general, security engineers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $126,572. The highest-paying industry for an information security consultant is the finance industry.In general, security engineers hold similar degree levels compared to information security consultants. Security engineers are 1.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of information security consultant
Updated January 8, 2025
