What does a security architect do?
A security architect specializes in designing and establishing security systems and measures to protect a company and its clients from hackers or cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around reviewing existing security systems to determine areas needing improvement, implementing upgrades, and devising strategies to identify a company's information technology needs. A security architect may also provide instructional materials to employees on utilizing the security systems, respond to inquiries and concerns, and perform maintenance tests as needed. Furthermore, should there be any incidents of breaches, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation to prevent it from happening again.
Security architect responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security architect resumes:
- Manage 4.1MM growth budget and 20MM operating budget in order to facilitate execution of priorities across the IAM landscape.
- Manage annual penetration testing exercise and PCI compliance validation scanning program.
- Lead multiple identity management projects integrating provisioning and roll management tools.
- Manage GLBA security awareness and training program and annual information security awareness activities.
- Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
- Develop criteria, assess, and validate security architectures models according to NIST 800-123 , 800-53 and ISO regulations and standards.
- Design and implement following IAM modules.
- Configure the signed AuthnRequests for all the SSO.
- Train Java programmers in basic code review for security with defensive techniques.
- Implement java package handlers to maintain workflow processes of the RSA/Aveksa application.
- Review and apply any newly available and applicable SPLUNK software or policy updates routinely.
- Develop and execute risk assessment policies to secure and bring the environment into HIPAA compliance.
- Develop and maintain security systems, including VPN, IPS, SIEM and P2P systems.
- Experience in setting up dashboards for senior management and production support- require to use SPLUNK.
- Organize HIPAA transaction, privacy, and security committees and created/manage HIPAA project plan and documentation.
Security architect skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Security Architects are proficient in Cloud Security, Architecture, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Architects that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cloud Security, 12%
Vetted cloud security vendors, tailored to specific customer requirements.
- Architecture, 8%
Presented and motivated architecture concepts that were subsequently adapted by the software development teams and then solutions were deployed into production.
- Cloud, 7%
Provide recommendations to operations teams to ensure cloud environment is designed with required security controls per various regulations.
- Infrastructure, 6%
Translated business requirements/needs into security infrastructure requirements.
- Java, 5%
Study of Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, SQL injection and their detection in the PHP / Java source code.
- NIST, 4%
Develop criteria, assess, and validate security architectures models according to NIST 800-123, 800-53 and ISO regulations and standards.
"cloud security," "architecture," and "cloud" are among the most common skills that security architects use at work. You can find even more security architect responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a security architect 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." Security architects often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "lead as enterprise data encryption architect and mobile device encryption designer. "
Detail oriented. Many security architect duties rely on detail oriented. "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.," so a security architect will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways security architect responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "provided detailed documentation and recommendations on how to lock down their infrastructure. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of security architects is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday security architect 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: "engineered solutions within enterprise using various firewall products, proxy servers, authentication packages and encryption technologies. "
The three companies that hire the most security architects are:
- Oracle459 security architects jobs
- Trellix195 security architects jobs
- KPMG LLP168 security architects jobs
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Compare different security architects
Security architect 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between security architects and information assurance engineer. For instance, security architect responsibilities require skills such as "architecture," "cloud," "infrastructure," and "nist." Whereas a information assurance engineer is skilled in "rmf," "iam," "acas," and "poa." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Information assurance engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than security architects. In fact, information assurance engineers are 9.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Security architect 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, security architect responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "architecture," "cloud," "infrastructure," and "java." Meanwhile, an information systems security officer has duties that require skills in areas such as "rmf," "isso," "sci," and "poa." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Information systems security officers earn lower levels of education than security architects in general. They're 12.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for security architects in the next 3-5 years?
Dak Kopec Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Coordinator, BA Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Design Program, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas
Security architect vs. Information security engineer
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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, security architects are more likely to have skills like "architecture," "cloud," "aws," and "application security." But a information security engineer is more likely to have skills like "security tools," "network security," "endpoint," and "firewall."
Most information security engineers achieve a lower degree level compared to security architects. For example, they're 10.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security architect vs. Information security officer
Information security officers are responsible for planning and implementing policies to safeguard an organization's computer network and data from different types of security breaches. Their duties typically include identifying computer network vulnerabilities, developing and executing a plan to secure and protect the network, and tracking computer network usage to ensure adherence to security policies. In addition, information security officers are also expected to conduct penetration tests to look for flaws and work closely with the IT and management departments to improve security.
Types of security architect
Updated January 8, 2025
