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What is an information security engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted Expert
Professor David Sanford
introduction image

An information security engineer designs, implements, and maintains security systems to protect an organization from cyber attacks. They identify vulnerabilities in the system and develop solutions to mitigate threats. They also monitor networks and respond quickly to security breaches. Information security engineers stay up-to-date with the latest security trends and technologies to ensure a secure system. They often collaborate with IT professionals to ensure that all aspects of an organization's technology infrastructure remain secure.

What general advice would you give to an Information Security Engineer?

Professor David Sanford

Associate Professor an Department Chair (MIS, CS, CYB MGT, IS CYB), Northwood University

Workers like that they are challenged to solve problems and lead technological innovations.
They appreciate the diversity of projects
They enjoy the need for continuous improvement and education
Many see the global impact of their work.
They also desire and appreciate the need for versatile skills
A competitive salary is also an item that employees like

Workers dislike that the work can be stressful
Dealing with tight deadlines and/ or cybersecurity concerns.
This is a positive and a negative: The need to constantly stay up to date with technology can be a bit overwhelming for some.
There may be times of isolation, and
The unexpected system failures can be frustrating as they often require extra hours or the need to be on-call.
The multiple responsibilities and managing repetitive tasks are also issues workers point out in this field.

In short, the workplace offers exciting opportunities but comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. Different people have different experiences based on their roles and personal preferences.
ScoreInformation Security EngineerUS Average
Salary
7.5

Avg. Salary $97,288

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.5

Growth Rate 32%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.8
Race

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%

Gender

female 11.67%

male 88.33%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress Level
6.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.4

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.9

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Information Security Engineer?

Pros

  • High demand for skilled professionals

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Opportunities for career advancement

  • Ability to work remotely or in various industries

  • Potential for international travel

Cons

  • Long hours, including weekends and holidays, may be required during security breaches or incidents

  • Exposure to graphic and disturbing content, including images of cyber crime scenes or child exploitation material

  • Requires a high level of technical expertise and ongoing education and training

  • Security breaches can result in significant financial loss or damage to reputation

  • Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation within strict security protocols

Information Security Engineer career paths

Key steps to become an information security engineer

  1. Explore information security engineer education requirements

    Most common information security engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.6 %

    Associate

    15.2 %

    Master's

    14.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific information security engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Infrastructure7.27%
    Incident Response5.70%
    Security Tools5.02%
    Network Security3.94%
    SIEM3.76%
  3. Complete relevant information security engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information security engineers 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 engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information security engineer resumes.
  4. Gain additional information security engineer certifications

    Information security engineer 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 engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for information security engineers include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research information security engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Lead the certification and accreditation efforts by implementing NIST 800-53 security controls in order to obtain FISMA compliance.
    • Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
    • Ensure that security policies are properly implement using NIST guidelines and perform auditing of logs.
    • Conduct Java algorithm design reviews and resolve any design issues.
  6. Prepare your information security engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information security engineer 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 engineer 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 Engineer Resume templates

    Build a professional Information Security Engineer 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 Engineer resume.
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  7. Apply for information security engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an information security engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Information Security Engineer Job

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Average information security engineer salary

The average Information Security Engineer salary in the United States is $97,288 per year or $47 per hour. Information security engineer salaries range between $73,000 and $129,000 per year.

Average Information Security Engineer Salary
$97,288 Yearly
$46.77 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do information security engineers rate their job?

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Information Security Engineer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Great Pay and Cyber Security Specialism

Cons

Cost Of the Exam ....its too Expensive


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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