What does a security operations manager do?
A security operations manager is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of an organization, inspecting the facility's condition, the performance of operational tools and equipment, and the compliance of workstream processes to the safety regulations and protocols of the company. Security operations managers identify potential risks and immediately address inconsistencies by coordinating with the security department and upper management. They also conduct security training and programs for all employees, including emergency drills and strict measures within the premises. A security operations manager handles incident reports and disseminates important security details across the organization.
Security operations manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security operations manager resumes:
- Manage multiple teams of security officers and supervisors to coordinate scheduling, payroll, training, coaching, development and support.
- Manage high-visibility and mission-critical infrastructure security upgrade projects.
- Write incident reports and document patrol officer activities.
- Work with physical security design team to implement design changes and revise infrastructure models with sustainable worldwide applications.
- Advance operations, CCTV, and alarm software utilization & monitoring.
- Perform security policy consulting using NIST, ISO, ES-C2M2 and NERC-CIP standards.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the garrison command element and forward deploy CI assets.
- Involve with various committees to include but not limit to the disaster recovery committee, and ACH.
- Participate in acquisition process for integrate software to combine various access control, CCTV and alarm monitoring systems.
- Act as liaison with the internal accounting department as it relate to cash management services and ACH bookings.
- Conduct daily review of operational message traffic in support of deploy HUMINT collectors and provide full service HUMINT collection support.
- Provide operational guidance for ongoing cases, ensuring any CI issues are identify to protect the client's personnel and facilities.
- Experience supporting HUMINT operations and intelligence analysis.
- Verify incoming personnel security clearance status through JPAS.
- Administer payroll reports within the established guidelines and deadlines.
Security operations manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Security Operations Managers are proficient in Security Operations, Incident Response, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Management skills, Problem-solving skills, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Operations Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Security Operations, 12%
Managed enterprise IT security operations center and oversaw the creation of a vulnerability management program and created global incident response plans.
- Incident Response, 10%
Oversee 30-person team that successfully conducts incident response, CSIRT, focused operations/deep dive forensics and security application/device operations and maintenance.
- Customer Service, 8%
Develop and implement security outreach, education, training and investigation of security violations while maintaining customer service and operational efficiency.
- SOC, 4%
Created detailed standard operating procedures in order to stream-line SOC operations.
- Security Systems, 4%
Performed security assessments and designed security systems for access control, video camera systems and alarms, proactively protecting company assets.
- Security Incidents, 4%
Well versed in conducting interviews/formal inquiries, provided written/oral briefings, reported security incidents, documented security education and training presentations.
Most security operations managers use their skills in "security operations," "incident response," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential security operations manager responsibilities here:
Problem-solving skills. Many security operations manager duties rely on problem-solving skills. "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization," so a security operations manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways security operations manager responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "worked closely with the various business partner teams to ensure solutions, emergency situations/incidents and suicide prevention. "
Time-management skills. security operations managers are also known for time-management skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to security operations manager responsibilities, because "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." A security operations manager resume example shows how time-management skills is used in the workplace: "administered payroll reports within the established guidelines and deadlines. "
Leadership skills. A big part of what security operations managers do relies on "leadership skills." You can see how essential it is to security operations manager responsibilities because "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical security operations manager tasks: "provide leadership and management of security operations team including security architects, analysts, incident response and forensic professionals. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in security operations manager job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what security operations managers do. Security operations manager responsibilities rely on this skill because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." You can also see how security operations manager duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "sole point of contact for north american security operations arm of global telecommunications firm. "
The three companies that hire the most security operations managers are:
- Capital One180 security operations managers jobs
- Pwc55 security operations managers jobs
- Allied Universal
28 security operations managers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable security operations manager resume templates
Build a professional security operations manager resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your security operations manager resume.
Compare different security operations managers
Security operations manager vs. Head of security
The head of security performs overall company security responsibilities, obligations, and duties, such as maintenance responsibilities, performance responsibilities, strategic development responsibilities, and direction responsibilities. They create protocols and policies needed to secure and protect sensitive information. Besides developing and implementing security procedures and protocols, the head of security also makes logistics to secure and protect copyrights, intellectual property, and many other related risks. Moreover, the head of security hires and recruits a professional talent that can build up the security.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, security operations manager responsibilities require skills like "incident response," "customer service," "soc," and "security incidents." Meanwhile a typical head of security has skills in areas such as "cloud computing," "crowd control," "property damage," and "iso." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, heads of security reach similar levels of education than security operations managers. Heads of security are 3.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Security operations manager vs. Assistant manager of operations
An assistant operations manager is responsible for supervising staff performance and operation processes under the guidance of an operations manager. The assistant operations manager ensures the efficiency and accuracy of project management to boost client satisfaction, drive revenues, and achieve the company's objectives and profitability goals. They also help with developing strategic procedures to increase productivity and identify business opportunities to build a strong company reputation. An assistant operations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially when meeting with existing and potential clients, close partnerships, and lead teams towards project goals.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, security operations manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "security operations," "incident response," "customer service," and "soc." Meanwhile, an assistant manager of operations has duties that require skills in areas such as "sales floor," "front end," "cash handling," and "store associates." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Assistant managers of operations may earn a lower salary than security operations managers, but assistant managers of operations earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $65,818. On the other hand, security operations managers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $62,269.In general, assistant managers of operations achieve similar levels of education than security operations managers. They're 1.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security operations manager vs. General manager of operations
General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management. They coordinate the primary performance goals for direct reporting functions and set the strategies for the organization. It is their responsibility to communicate strategy as well as results to employees. They also engage with the corporate officers in the strategic planning and development of the organization or enterprise.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from security operations manager resumes include skills like "security operations," "incident response," "soc," and "security systems," whereas a general manager of operations is more likely to list skills in "develop team," "financial statements," "continuous improvement," and "personnel processes. "
General managers of operations typically earn similar educational levels compared to security operations managers. Specifically, they're 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security operations manager vs. Security director
A security director is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's assets, as well as the welfare of employees within the company's premises. Security directors enforce security protocols and policies and conducting training and programs to employees for safety and emergency drills. They also investigate suspicious activities in the organization by checking surveillance equipment and coordinating with law enforcement personnel. They review incident reports, develop security process improvements, and handle budgets and allocate resources for security operations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between security operations managers and security directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a security operations manager might have more use for skills like "incident response," "soc," "siem," and "field training." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of security directors require skills like "risk management," "safety program," "patients," and "osha. "
The average resume of security directors showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to security operations managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.6%.Types of security operations manager
Updated January 8, 2025
