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The differences between information technology security managers and 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 technology security manager and a security engineer. Additionally, an information technology security manager has an average salary of $124,792, which is higher than the $104,524 average annual salary of a security engineer.
The top three skills for an information technology security manager include NIST, risk management and project management. The most important skills for a security engineer are java, cloud security, and infrastructure.
| Information Technology Security Manager | Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $124,792 | $104,524 |
| Hourly rate | $60.00 | $50.25 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 120,463 | 86,093 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An information technology security manager is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's network systems to prevent unauthorized access and illegal dissemination of information from the database. Information technology security managers resolve technical issues, configure network updates, and upgrade system infrastructures to enhance optimal performance and navigation. They also install applications, inspect security breaches, and fix faulty servers to avoid system downtimes and operational delays. An information technology security manager must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing reports for system findings and design networks according to business requirements.
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.
Information technology security managers and security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Security Manager | Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $124,792 | $104,524 |
| Salary range | Between $91,000 And $170,000 | Between $77,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | PayPal | ICE Mortgage Technology |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between an information technology security manager and a security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Security Manager | Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between information technology security managers' and security engineers' demographics:
| Information Technology Security Manager | Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6% |
| 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% |