Information systems security manager vs information security engineer

The differences between information systems security managers and information security engineers 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 systems security manager and an information security engineer. Additionally, an information systems security manager has an average salary of $109,477, which is higher than the $97,288 average annual salary of an information security engineer.

The top three skills for an information systems security manager include RMF, IAM and DOD. The most important skills for an information security engineer are infrastructure, incident response, and security tools.

Information systems security manager vs information security engineer overview

	Information Systems Security Manager	Information Security Engineer
Yearly salary	$109,477	$97,288
Hourly rate	$52.63	$46.77
Growth rate	32%	32%
Number of jobs	161,799	120,257
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	6

What does an information systems security manager do?

An information systems security manager oversees the implementation of security programs and protocols in a company's information technology networks and systems. Their responsibilities include managing staff, setting objectives and schedules, establishing security and recovery guidelines, performing research and analysis, gathering and studying data, identifying vulnerable areas, and implementing solutions to enhance and strengthen the security of systems. They may also provide technical support to staff and train new members of the workforce. Moreover, an information systems security manager must lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's data security policies and regulations.

What does an information security engineer do?

An information security engineer specializes in designing and developing systems to protect company and customer data from hackers or any cyber attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with different departments to identify their needs, assess existing programs to identify any areas needing improvement, monitor network and system for any problems, and implement preventive measures for protection. Should there be any breaches, it is essential to resolve them right away and conduct an investigation to prevent it from happening again. Furthermore, it is necessary to assist employees in utilizing security systems to ensure smooth workflow.

Information systems security manager vs information security engineer salary

Information systems security managers and information security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Information Systems Security Manager	Information Security Engineer
Average salary	$109,477	$97,288
Salary range	Between $84,000 And $142,000	Between $73,000 And $129,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	The Citadel
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between information systems security manager and information security engineer education

There are a few differences between an information systems security manager and an information security engineer in terms of educational background:

	Information Systems Security Manager	Information Security Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Information systems security manager vs information security engineer demographics

Here are the differences between information systems security managers' and information security engineers' demographics:

	Information Systems Security Manager	Information Security Engineer
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 81.8% Female, 18.2%	Male, 88.3% Female, 11.7%
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 systems security manager and information security engineer duties and responsibilities

Information systems security manager example responsibilities.

Upgrade and manage all manage & unmanage network switches and routers.
Manage the training and education program for the ISSO and user population.
Lead the HBSS enterprise upgrade effort for classify and unclassify networks to ensure DISA compliance.
Manage and maintain incident reporting of HIPAA violations including logging, communication and removal of all sensitive data.
Manage the conversion to a hybrid NAS/disk/tape CommVault base backup environment resulting in decreasing backup windows and improving recovery objectives.
Perform risk assessments and validate documentation to enable a seamless transition into RMF.

Information security engineer example 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.
Automate manual queries and integration using WhiteHat API's with PERL and Java.
Update ACAS plugins weekly or when updates become available on the DISA provide website.

Information systems security manager vs information security engineer skills

Common information systems security manager skills

RMF, 8%
IAM, 7%
DOD, 6%
ISSM, 6%
Windows, 5%
Security Posture, 4%

Common information security engineer skills

Infrastructure, 7%
Incident Response, 6%
Security Tools, 5%
Network Security, 4%
SIEM, 4%
NIST, 4%

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Information Systems Security Manager vs Information Security Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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