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The differences between personnel security specialists and information security managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a personnel security specialist and an information security manager. Additionally, an information security manager has an average salary of $126,447, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.
The top three skills for a personnel security specialist include SCI, JPAS and E-QIP. The most important skills for an information security manager are risk management, NIST, and infrastructure.
| Personnel Security Specialist | Information Security Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $78,967 | $126,447 |
| Hourly rate | $37.96 | $60.79 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 52,507 | 115,414 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A personnel security specialist is responsible for conducting background checks and collecting requirements for security clearance. Personnel security specialists write background check reports, coordinate with other institutions for further investigations, and determining the eligibility of candidates for clearance. They must have excellent communication and researching skills to identify and gather data suitable for employment purposes. A personnel security specialist verifies and processes information according to security procedures and protocols, providing accurate information and managing data disputes.
An information security manager is primarily in charge of overseeing the security systems established to protect a company's data from hackers or cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring networks for any security breaches, designing and developing new security systems, and improving existing ones when necessary. They may also perform research and analysis to determine company needs, provide instructional materials, and produce progress reports. Furthermore, as an information security manager, it is essential to provide technical support to employees, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Personnel security specialists and information security managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Personnel Security Specialist | Information Security Manager | |
| Average salary | $78,967 | $126,447 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $124,000 | Between $91,000 And $175,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | Palantir | eBay |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Media |
There are a few differences between a personnel security specialist and an information security manager in terms of educational background:
| Personnel Security Specialist | Information Security Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between personnel security specialists' and information security managers' demographics:
| Personnel Security Specialist | Information Security Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| 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% |