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What does a personnel security specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a personnel security specialist do

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.

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Personnel security specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real personnel security specialist resumes:

  • Implement group policies to manage domain / PC / user security.
  • Manage servers to include Cisco ACS (access control server), and external DNS server.
  • Manage multiple security programs and systems in accordance with NISPOM, DCID, M1 and JAFAN guidance.
  • Support all the applications deploy through the F5 LTM along with the configuration and the managing role.
  • Develop and manage covert CCTV program to support corporate investigations.
  • Develop expert working knowledge of personnel security administration activities using JPAS and E-QIP.
  • Monitor the performance of all servers, switches, routers and printers.
  • Adjudicate public trust requests and make final determination of suitability base on 5 CFR part 731. .
  • Verify personnel security clearances for indoctrination and authorize visits using JPAS.
  • Net, VB.Net, SQL, PLSQL, SAS, JCL, ColdFusion.
  • Install and configure DNS on servers.
  • Assist peers to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
  • Analyze and integrate the Linux reporting process into the SRR toolkit.
  • Create a template to map all DHS and NIST security controls.
  • Initiate the risk and sensitivity suitability on boarding process of DHS contracting personnel.

Personnel security specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Personnel Security Specialists are proficient in SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Personnel Security Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • SCI, 7%

    Review, evaluate, adjudicates, and makes personnel security determinations for security clearance and SCI access eligibility.

  • JPAS, 7%

    Monitored investigation requests and utilized the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) to verify adjudication status.

  • E-QIP, 5%

    Scheduled security investigations and screened background investigations for derogatory information using the e-QIP application and the SF-86.

  • DOD, 5%

    Displayed the highest standards of professionalism and integrity when collaborating in meetings with external and internal DOD customers/ security staff.

  • Personnel Security, 5%

    Assessed applicant appeals to investigative and adjudication recommendations regarding personnel security investigations.

  • Government Agencies, 4%

    Prepared and maintained initial security packages to be submitted to various government agencies.

Most personnel security specialists use their skills in "sci," "jpas," and "e-qip" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential personnel security specialist responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a personnel security specialist to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved." Personnel security specialists often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "used electronic management database tools such as dcii, and cvs to determine type of psi needed. "

Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform personnel security specialist duties is detail oriented. Personnel security specialists responsibilities require that "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance." Personnel security specialists also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "prepare detailed interrogatories to applicants with security issues developed with the investigation report. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of personnel security specialists is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday personnel security specialist duties, as "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "resolved derogatory of conflicting information on security forms through inquiries, investigations, and interviews. "

Most common personnel security specialist skills

The three companies that hire the most personnel security specialists are:

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Personnel Security Specialist Resume
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Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume
Personnel Security Specialist Resume

Compare different personnel security specialists

Personnel security specialist vs. Information assurance engineer

Information assurance engineers are responsible for protecting an organization's data. They act as a team of security specialists that use their skill in securely operating and keeping data to protect the organization's most essential asset. Their main role is to guarantee the quality, security, and retrievability of the organization's information. Also, they outline security systems that make certain the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of data. Additionally, they secure IT infrastructure, maintain hardware and software updated, establish security standards, and monitor threats like breaches.

If we compare the average personnel security specialist annual salary with that of an information assurance engineer, we find that information assurance engineers typically earn a $10,324 higher salary than personnel security specialists make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between personnel security specialists and information assurance engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like dod, national security, and security issues.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a personnel security specialist are more likely to require skills like "sci," "jpas," "e-qip," and "personnel security." On the other hand, a job as an information assurance engineer requires skills like "rmf," "iam," "windows," and "acas." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Information assurance engineers tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $97,153. In contrast, personnel security specialists make the biggest average salary, $77,737, in the technology industry.On average, information assurance engineers reach similar levels of education than personnel security specialists. Information assurance engineers are 3.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Personnel security specialist vs. Securities consultant

A securities consultant is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the company's premises, including enforcing protection for all the employees and company assets. Securities consultants also handle the confidentiality and stability of data network systems to prevent potential breaches and unauthorized access to information. They coordinate with the system analysts to design programs and databases as part of technical solutions to maximize productivity and increase efficiency. A securities consultant writes incident reports, recommend strategic techniques, and research threat risks that may put the company in jeopardy.

Securities consultant positions earn higher pay than personnel security specialist roles. They earn a $13,125 higher salary than personnel security specialists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Personnel security specialists and securities consultants both require similar skills like "dod," "security policies," and "security issues" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that personnel security specialist responsibilities requires skills like "sci," "jpas," "e-qip," and "personnel security." But a securities consultant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cloud security," "java," "application security," and "iso."

Securities consultants may earn a higher salary than personnel security specialists, but securities consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $99,249. On the other hand, personnel security specialists receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $77,737.securities consultants earn similar levels of education than personnel security specialists in general. They're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Personnel security specialist vs. Security engineer

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.

On average scale, security engineers bring in higher salaries than personnel security specialists. In fact, they earn a $25,557 higher salary per year.personnel security specialists and security engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "dod," "national security," and "security policies," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from personnel security specialist resumes include skills like "sci," "jpas," "e-qip," and "personnel security," whereas a security engineer is more likely to list skills in "java," "cloud security," "infrastructure," and "application security. "

Security engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $126,572. On the other hand, personnel security specialists are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $77,737.security engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to personnel security specialists. Specifically, they're 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Personnel security specialist vs. Information systems security officer

An information systems security officer's role is to perform preventive measures to protect a company's data and systems from hackers or cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around assessing the existing security measures to identify any vulnerabilities or inconsistencies, recommending and implementing changes to improve security systems, and developing new strategies and programs for data protection. There are also instances when an information systems security officer must manage and maintain information in databases, train new employees, and create new security policies, all while adhering to the company's vision and mission.

Information systems security officers average a higher salary than the annual salary of personnel security specialists. The difference is about $11,763 per year.While both personnel security specialists and information systems security officers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like sci, dod, and national security, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "jpas," "e-qip," "personnel security," and "provides administrative support" are skills that commonly show up on personnel security specialist resumes. On the other hand, information systems security officers use skills like rmf, isso, windows, and security posture on their resumes.information systems security officers enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $89,615. For comparison, personnel security specialists earn the highest salary in the technology industry.information systems security officers reach similar levels of education compared to personnel security specialists, in general. The difference is that they're 0.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of personnel security specialist

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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