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The differences between security system engineers and information assurance engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a security system engineer and an information assurance engineer. Additionally, a security system engineer has an average salary of $103,018, which is higher than the $89,291 average annual salary of an information assurance engineer.
The top three skills for a security system engineer include architecture, NIST and DOD. The most important skills for an information assurance engineer are RMF, DOD, and IAM.
| Security System Engineer | Information Assurance Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,018 | $89,291 |
| Hourly rate | $49.53 | $42.93 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 97,083 | 104,421 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
The primary job of a security system engineer is to design computer systems that can prevent disruptions, such as cyberattacks and natural disasters. You will engineer, implement, and monitor security measures to protect computer networks, systems, and information. In addition, you will identify and define the requirements for system security and design computer security architecture. Other duties that you will perform include preparing and documenting standard operating protocols and procedures, configuring and troubleshooting security infrastructure, and developing security tools to help minimize computer security vulnerabilities.
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.
Security system engineers and information assurance engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security System Engineer | Information Assurance Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,018 | $89,291 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $141,000 | Between $67,000 And $117,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Parsons |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Professional |
There are a few differences between a security system engineer and an information assurance engineer in terms of educational background:
| Security System Engineer | Information Assurance Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Information Technology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | - |
Here are the differences between security system engineers' and information assurance engineers' demographics:
| Security System Engineer | Information Assurance Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 78.6% Female, 21.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |