What is an information systems security officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Expert

Joé Lloyd

An information systems security officer ensures the safety and integrity of an organization's information systems. They develop policies, procedures, and controls to protect against unauthorized access, theft, and cyber-attacks. Information systems security officers also perform risk assessments, monitor activity, and investigate incidents. They work with IT teams to identify vulnerabilities and recommend mitigation solutions. Additionally, they stay up-to-date on security threats and trends, and train employees on best practices for information security.

What general advice would you give to an Information Systems Security Officer?

Joé Lloyd

Senior Director, AVIXA

In the AVIXA 2019 Q2 Macro-Economic Trends Analysis, we studied how tight or slack labor markets affect hiring. We found that the current economy is tough for those seeking to enter a skill-intensive industry like audiovisual (AV). Our data shows that when unemployment goes up, AV companies respond by raising hiring standards. Candidates will need a strong résumé to get hired, whether it’s in years of experience or a targeted technical degree or certification.

ScoreInformation Systems Security OfficerUS Average

Salary

7.1

Avg. Salary $90,730

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 21.65%

male 78.35%

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 Systems Security Officer?

Pros

High demand for information security professionals
Competitive salary and benefits
Potential for career advancement and growth
Exposure to a variety of industries and technologies
Ability to work remotely or from different locations

Cons

Long hours and on-call requirements
Risk of burnout due to the nature of the work
Need for extensive technical knowledge and expertise
Limited resources for implementing security measures
Sometimes difficult to convey the importance of security to non-security stakeholders

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Key steps to become an information systems security officer

Explore information systems security officer education requirements

Most common information systems security officer degrees

Bachelor's

60.7 %

Associate

20.3 %

Master's

13.2 %

Start to develop specific information systems security officer skills

Skills	Percentages
RMF	8.94%
DOD	7.62%
ISSO	7.48%
Windows	4.77%
Security Posture	4.62%

Complete relevant information systems security officer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information systems security officers 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 systems security officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information systems security officer resumes.

Gain additional information systems security officer certifications

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

The most common certifications for information systems security officers include Security 5 Certification and Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP).

More About Certifications

Research information systems security officer duties and responsibilities

Manage a $1 million civilian contract; ISSO for 4 separate networks , 9K users, and 8K systems.
Lead implementation for new DAR solution for global disk encryption, developing management policy to prevent document and data leakage.
Manage logistics of moving necessary equipment for test across country to newly designed/built NSA certify test facility.
Track and report risk identify in the vulnerability scans to the IAM.

Prepare your information systems security officer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information systems security officer 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 systems security officer 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 Systems Security Officer Resume templates

Build a professional Information Systems Security Officer 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 Systems Security Officer resume.

Apply for information systems security officer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an information systems security officer 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

Average information systems security officer salary

The average Information Systems Security Officer salary in the United States is $90,730 per year or $44 per hour. Information systems security officer salaries range between $68,000 and $120,000 per year.

Average Information Systems Security Officer Salary

$90,730 Yearly

$43.62 hourly

How do information systems security officers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Information Systems Security Officer reviews

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Pros

Great Pay and Cyber Security Specialism

Cons

Cost Of the Exam ....its too Expensive