How long does it take to become a security manager?

It takes at least five years of experience in the information security field to become a security manager. This is done by a person working their way up to a management role through jobs such as information security analyst, security administrator, or network administrator.

Is security management a good career?

Yes, security management is a good career. This is because as more companies turn to technology and connectivity to run their business, the demand for security management professionals will continue to increase and pay more.

How To Become A Security Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a security manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Security managers are responsible for overseeing the security operations of an organization. They develop and implement security policies and procedures to ensure the safety of employees, assets, and information. They conduct risk assessments, create emergency preparedness plans, and train staff on security protocols. A security manager often works closely with law enforcement and other agencies to investigate incidents and mitigate risks. They also manage security personnel and vendors, as well as monitor surveillance systems.

ScoreSecurity ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $111,171

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.09%

Black or African American 7.64%

Hispanic or Latino 12.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 66.08%

Gender

female 16.29%

male 83.71%

Age - 47

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 - 47

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a security manager?

Pros

Job stability and demand
Varied and challenging work
Exposure to a range of industries and sectors
Networking opportunities
Access to training and professional development

Cons

High stress levels and pressure
Long hours, including nights and weekends
Need to be on call 24/7
Exposure to danger and physical harm
Heavy workload and responsibility

Key steps to become a security manager

Explore security manager education requirements

Most common security manager degrees

Bachelor's

48.3 %

Associate

24.7 %

High School Diploma

10.8 %

Start to develop specific security manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Cloud Security	8.30%
Security Operations	5.71%
Security Management	4.60%
Security Program	4.58%
Customer Service	4.40%

Complete relevant security manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New security managers 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 a security manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real security manager resumes.

Gain additional security manager certifications

Security manager 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 security manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for security managers include Security 5 Certification and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.

More About Certifications

Research security manager duties and responsibilities

Accomplish at DHCP, DNS, NFS troubleshooting.
Deploy and manage IPS/IDS tool (OSSEC) on all Linux servers.
Manage and overseen all fire inspections and audit forms ISO, clerical work.
Manage institution-wide information security governance processes including the creation and deployment of the initial security policy using the ISO framework.

Prepare your security manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your security manager 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 a security manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable security manager resume templates

Build a professional security manager 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 security manager resume.