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The differences between security system engineers and information security managers 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 security manager. Additionally, an information security manager has an average salary of $126,447, which is higher than the $103,018 average annual salary of a security system engineer.
The top three skills for a security system engineer include architecture, NIST and DOD. The most important skills for an information security manager are risk management, NIST, and infrastructure.
| Security System Engineer | Information Security Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $103,018 | $126,447 |
| Hourly rate | $49.53 | $60.79 |
| Growth rate | 32% | 32% |
| Number of jobs | 97,083 | 115,414 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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.
An information security manager is primarily in charge of overseeing the security systems established to protect a company's data from hackers or cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring networks for any security breaches, designing and developing new security systems, and improving existing ones when necessary. They may also perform research and analysis to determine company needs, provide instructional materials, and produce progress reports. Furthermore, as an information security manager, it is essential to provide technical support to employees, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Security system engineers and information security managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security System Engineer | Information Security Manager | |
| Average salary | $103,018 | $126,447 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $141,000 | Between $91,000 And $175,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | eBay |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Media |
There are a few differences between a security system engineer and an information security manager in terms of educational background:
| Security System Engineer | Information Security Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between security system engineers' and information security managers' demographics:
| Security System Engineer | Information Security Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| 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% |