What does a security manager do?
Security managers are responsible for creating a safe environment for everyone and implementing policies to prevent emergencies. They ensure the safety of employees and assets of the company as well as its facilities. Additionally, they evaluate and manage risks by implementing safety policies and training security staff in responding efficiently to emergencies. A security manager must exhibit excellent leadership, surveillance, and emergency response skills. A good security manager should also have a strong commitment to security rules and understand all hazards and threats to safety.
Security manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security manager resumes:
- 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.
- Manage the stage and promotional operations for all security personnel, including staffing, payroll processing, and general entertainment organization.
- Experience in conducting NIST 800-30 risk assessments for HIPAA and FISMA compliance.
- Provide monitoring, surveillance and other physical security functions while utilizing security tools such as CCTV
- Conduct semi-annual security inspections of program functions and facilities; track DoD security clearance information of assign personnel using JPAS.
- Conduct security reviews, vulnerability scans, and risk assessments of applications and infrastructure with industry standard tools and methodologies.
- Conduct offshore audits, assessments and risk evaluations against national and international pharmaceutical regulatory guidelines and HIPAA privacy and security standards.
- Assure regulatory compliance stemming from FFEIC, PCI, GLBA, HIPAA
- Provide resources for PCI, SOX audits and projects.
- Provide technical and administrative support to the MDIS PMO.
- Obtain an understanding of mapping tools specify in NIST 800-53 controls.
- Perform event analysis of packet header, hexadecimal and ASCII payload using SIEM.
Security manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Security Managers are proficient in Cloud Security, Security Operations, and Security Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Management skills, Time-management skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cloud Security, 8%
Research and defined Big Data within Security/Cloud Security initiative - AWS and Terremark.
- Security Operations, 6%
Designed and implemented workforce management structure; coordinating staffing plans for each location, ensuring adequate coverage to maximize security operations.
- Security Management, 5%
Advised and assisted Security Management on matters pertaining to Personnel Security including file maintenance, clerical support and government policy compliance.
- Security Program, 5%
Maintained information/personnel/physical security program for a 300-person organization.
- Customer Service, 4%
Conceptualized, developed, and led regional cross-functional Workplace Services team meetings that resulted in improved teamwork and customer service delivery.
- Security Policies, 4%
Developed and monitored physical, information, and personnel security policies for USJFCOM that was instrumental to the organizations daily operation.
"cloud security," "security operations," and "security management" are among the most common skills that security managers use at work. You can find even more security manager responsibilities below, including:
Time-management skills. Another essential skill to perform security manager duties is time-management skills. Security managers responsibilities require that "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." Security managers also use time-management skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "scheduled staff assisted in hr functions related to employee wages, benefits and vacation time. "
Problem-solving skills. security managers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to security manager responsibilities, because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." A security manager resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "conflict resolution and interview experience in loss prevention. "
Communication skills. security manager responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." This resume example shows what security managers do with communication skills on a typical day: "maintained internal and external communications systems 24/7 to support security operations. "
Leadership skills. Another crucial skill for a security manager to carry out their responsibilities is "leadership skills." A big part of what security managers relies on this skill, since "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." How this skill relates to security manager duties can be seen in an example from a security manager resume snippet: "provided leadership through planning and daily decision making to overall security and loss prevention operations. "
The three companies that hire the most security managers are:
- KPMG LLP567 security managers jobs
- Deloitte378 security managers jobs
- Verano146 security managers jobs
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Compare different security managers
Security manager vs. Surveillance director
A Transportation Officer is an expert in all transport affairs. Serving in this role, your duties will include ensuring the provision of transportation to inmates for medical appointments and emergency response. You will also be in charge of controlling and supervising a platoon of truck drivers and assisting the commander as the executive officer of a logistics company. In addition to that, you will have the responsibility of supervising the inventory of inbound ocean containers and maintaining outbound trailer traffic.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between security managers and surveillance director. For instance, security manager responsibilities require skills such as "cloud security," "security operations," "security management," and "security program." Whereas a surveillance director is skilled in "regulatory agencies," "surveillance operations," "securities," and "aml." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, surveillance directors reach similar levels of education than security managers. Surveillance directors are 3.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Security manager vs. Transportation officer
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that security manager responsibilities requires skills like "cloud security," "security operations," "security management," and "security program." But a transportation officer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cdl," "restraints," "transport inmates," and "logistical support."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Transportation officers tend to reach similar levels of education than security managers. In fact, they're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security manager vs. Manager, security infrastructure and enterprise services
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, security managers are more likely to have skills like "cloud security," "security management," "customer service," and "security procedures." But a manager, security infrastructure and enterprise services is more likely to have skills like "architecture," "pci," "business objectives," and "nist."
Managers, security infrastructure and enterprise services typically earn higher educational levels compared to security managers. Specifically, they're 5.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security manager vs. Corporate physical security supervisor
Types of security manager
Updated January 8, 2025
