What does a security program manager do?
A Security Program Manager is responsible for directing a team in executing security program plans to support business functions and operations. Security program managers supervise the safety and security of the program assets, including the reports, resources, and information stored in the company's database. They also coordinate various projects within the organization to monitor adherence to the business requirements and client specifications. A security program manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to manage efficiency and consistency in achieving program goals and objectives.
Security program manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security program manager resumes:
- Utilize the COBIT framework to properly manage projects and as a best practices guide.
- Monitor all the controls, reports, and coordination activities for the security team to achieve PCI compliance.
- Manage development of all internal and external vulnerability scanning products including PCI scanning.
- Manage and provide direct security oversight for contract requirements supporting all functions of clear facilities operations and management e.g.
- Manage the stage and promotional operations for all security personnel, including staffing, payroll processing, and general entertainment organization.
- Aid in preparing the institution for GLBA, SoX and third-party audits.
- Create and submit visits within JPAS systems, work closely with embassies for foreign national visits.
- Negotiate server maintenance windows, and OLA details with groups onboarding to the RXD patch team.
- Train in CPR & basic first aid, a certified and respond to all guest & employee accidents.
- Schedule officers for training for medical emergencies, perform CPR, and how to respond to fire alarms.
- Implement DoD and AF guidance on all matters pertaining to the protection of classify and highly sensitive defense information.
- Used JPAS and OPM/PIPS/CVS to submit necessary information for current employees and applicants who require clearance adjudications or re-adjudications.
- Help develop HIPAA compliance within the organization
- Provide system documentation for firewall architecture.
- Integrate new system and application provisioning.
Security program manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Security Program Managers are proficient in Security Program, Program Management, and Oversight. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Organizational skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Program Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Security Program, 13%
Implemented a Security Education and Awareness Training Program; led security program for 150 personnel to promote security awareness and compliance.
- Program Management, 10%
Provided technical and management expertise as well as training in the areas of program management and security implementation.
- Oversight, 8%
Provided headquarters oversight for protection program operations, security surveys, readiness reviews and vulnerability assessments for multiple nuclear weapons facilities.
- Cloud Security, 7%
Established cloud security and governance, which included utilizing a SAAS for application layer firewall and continuous perimeter monitoring.
- Cloud, 7%
Managed team to integrate major Financial Company's Security and Compliance requirements into Microsoft Office 365 cloud productivity solution.
- Project Management, 5%
Utilized project management skills in overseeing grants and monitoring law enforcement and border security capacity building programs.
Common skills that a security program manager uses to do their job include "security program," "program management," and "oversight." You can find details on the most important security program manager responsibilities below.
Business skills. One of the key soft skills for a security program manager to have is business skills. You can see how this relates to what security program managers do because "it managers must develop and implement strategic plans to reach the goals of their organizations." Additionally, a security program manager resume shows how security program managers use business skills: "collaborated with business and it stakeholders to create new and update existing security policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines. "
Organizational skills. Many security program manager duties rely on organizational skills. "some it managers must coordinate the work of several different it departments to make the organization run efficiently.," so a security program manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways security program manager responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "determine security program tasks in order to act upon interdependencies with other groups and ensure added value to organizational priorities. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of security program managers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday security program manager duties, as "it managers must explain their work to top executives and give clear instructions to their subordinates." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "exhibited strong project/program management skills based on an organized leadership style, accountable performance, and forthright communication. "
Leadership skills. A big part of what security program managers do relies on "leadership skills." You can see how essential it is to security program manager responsibilities because "it managers must lead and motivate it teams or departments so that workers are efficient and effective." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical security program manager tasks: "provided advisement to senior leadership of dod regarding storage of sensitive materials, supervised and oversaw security response integration. "
Analytical skills. Another crucial skill for a security program manager to carry out their responsibilities is "analytical skills." A big part of what security program managers relies on this skill, since "it managers must analyze problems and consider and select the best ways to solve them." How this skill relates to security program manager duties can be seen in an example from a security program manager resume snippet: "conducted ongoing analysis to coordinate physical and electronic security operations with law enforcement, criminal investigations, and emergency preparedness personnel. "
The three companies that hire the most security program managers are:
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Compare different security program managers
Security program manager vs. Vice president of information technology
A Vice President Of Information Technology supervises an organization's technology initiatives, IT changes, and updates to all projects. They also identify and propose new information technologies and systems to improve business processes and decision-making.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a security program manager are more likely to require skills like "security program," "program management," "oversight," and "infrastructure." On the other hand, a job as a vice president of information technology requires skills like "architecture," "network infrastructure," "service delivery," and "strategic direction." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Vice president of information technologies really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $162,421. Comparatively, security program managers tend to make the most money in the start-up industry with an average salary of $147,323.The education levels that vice president of information technologies earn slightly differ from security program managers. In particular, vice president of information technologies are 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a security program manager. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security program manager vs. Information technology director
An information technology (IT) Director is an individual responsible for the management, strategy, and execution of an organization's IT infrastructure. He/She supervises a team of workers while working with the organization's management and external vendors and advisors. Aside from managing workers, an IT director should possess problem-solving skills and an aptitude for organizational thinking. An IT director must also identify new market opportunities and should lead an effort to improve the organization's IT process.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real security program manager resumes. While security program manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "security program," "program management," "oversight," and "risk management," information technology directors use skills like "network infrastructure," "disaster recovery," "windows server," and "erp."
Information technology directors earn a higher average salary than security program managers. But information technology directors earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $145,076. Additionally, security program managers earn the highest salaries in the start-up with average pay of $147,323 annually.In general, information technology directors achieve similar levels of education than security program managers. They're 1.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security program manager vs. Senior information technology manager
A senior information technology manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and performance of the company's technology and network systems. Senior information technology managers oversee technology infrastructures and operations, ensuring the processes adhere to the company policies and regulations. They analyze the schematics and specifications of computer systems, maintaining the safety and security across all networks to prevent unauthorized access. A senior information technology manager must have extensive knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, security program managers are more likely to have skills like "security program," "program management," "oversight," and "risk management." But a senior information technology manager is more likely to have skills like "architecture," "strong problem-solving," "sr," and "emerging technologies."
Senior information technology managers earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $143,891. Security program managers earn the highest pay from the start-up industry, with an average salary of $147,323.When it comes to education, senior information technology managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to security program managers. In fact, they're 2.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Security program manager vs. Information systems manager
An information systems manager is typically in charge of overseeing the information technology (IT) systems and networks in a company, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They are directly responsible for managing IT workers such as analysts and programmers, delegating tasks, assessing performance, managing schedules, handling budgets, and spearheading installations and upgrades. Furthermore, as an information systems manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between security program managers and information systems managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a security program manager might have more use for skills like "security program," "program management," "oversight," and "cloud security." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of information systems managers require skills like "data entry," "technical support," "sql server," and "pc. "
Information systems managers enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $151,152. For comparison, security program managers earn the highest salary in the start-up industry.The average resume of information systems managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to security program managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.6%.Types of security program manager
Updated January 8, 2025
