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Security system engineer vs senior security analyst

The differences between security system engineers and senior security analysts 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 a senior security analyst. Additionally, a senior security analyst has an average salary of $103,571, 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 a senior security analyst are NIST, incident response, and cloud security.

Security system engineer vs senior security analyst overview

Security System EngineerSenior Security Analyst
Yearly salary$103,018$103,571
Hourly rate$49.53$49.79
Growth rate32%32%
Number of jobs97,08361,108
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does a security system engineer do?

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.

What does a senior security analyst do?

A senior security analyst is a digital professional who creates and implements firewalls and software systems to protect data and prevent attacks on private data. Senior security analysts aim to identify weaknesses in a network's security system and prevent breaches from occurring. Within larger organizations, senior security analysts are required to work with professionals who specialize in networking, information technology (IT), and computer system. They must also design security protocols and systems to better protect their customers and user data.

Security system engineer vs senior security analyst salary

Security system engineers and senior security analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Security System EngineerSenior Security Analyst
Average salary$103,018$103,571
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $141,000Between $79,000 And $135,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCredit KarmaCoinbase
Best paying industryProfessionalGovernment

Differences between security system engineer and senior security analyst education

There are a few differences between a security system engineer and a senior security analyst in terms of educational background:

Security System EngineerSenior Security Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachStanford University

Security system engineer vs senior security analyst demographics

Here are the differences between security system engineers' and senior security analysts' demographics:

Security System EngineerSenior Security Analyst
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between security system engineer and senior security analyst duties and responsibilities

Security system engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage 3rd party approval requests for new account creation, remote access, and site-to-site VPN connections.
  • Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
  • Perform security hardening and security testing, including applying NIST 800-53 controls.
  • Assist customer in development and completion of security documentation as specified by DIAPCAP and NIST.
  • Implement and enforce security configuration, policies and operations standards on Microsoft and UNIX systems.
  • Support troubleshooting application issues relate to network security (SIEM, firewalls, network data collection and storage).
  • Show more

Senior security analyst example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage information security assets associate with DISA STIGS and HBSS.
  • Utilize Unix utilities and management packages to analyze and manage traffic flow in the corporate backbone.
  • Manage GLBA security awareness and training program and annual information security awareness activities.
  • Introduce dashboards to identify preemptive attacks on corporate perimeter using intrusion detection and web application firewall technologies.
  • Evaluate DoD security tools; determine compatibility issues with existing network configuration/infrastructure, and present conclusions to management.
  • Contribute in defining time tables and SIEM project plans.
  • Show more

Security system engineer vs senior security analyst skills

Common security system engineer skills
  • Architecture, 8%
  • NIST, 7%
  • DOD, 6%
  • RMF, 6%
  • Linux, 5%
  • Security Engineering, 5%
Common senior security analyst skills
  • NIST, 7%
  • Incident Response, 5%
  • Cloud Security, 4%
  • Encryption, 4%
  • Firewall, 4%
  • Switches, 4%

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