What does a senior information security analyst do?
Senior Information Security Analyst plan and execute security measures to safeguard a company's computer system and network. Duties include advising on best practice for technical security, implementing corrective action to any vulnerabilities identified, leading security audits for best practice assurance, and creating information security training for staff. They also help maintain the organization's information security management system across its policies, standards, and guidelines. They must maintain awareness of industry standards, technology trends, and changes in external regulation.
Senior information security analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior information security analyst resumes:
- Manage the review of log output for security reports from Foundstone, enVision and SU & SUDU Unix log reviews.
- Manage the conversion to a hybrid NAS/disk/tape CommVault base backup environment resulting in decreasing backup windows and improving recovery objectives.
- Create new SIEM content and rules to help identify important security incidents and events.
- Maintain the company's firewall and utilize applicable encryption methods.
- Recommend and deploy DNS logging using McAfee SIEM collectors.
- Create policies for certification with ISO 27001 and industry standards.
- Utilize NTOP, CIFS, and many other Linux utilities and services.
- Provide training to the departments and project teams on security compliance requirements including internal policies and HIPAA regulations.
- Create policy set for certification with ISO 27001 and industry standards protecting the company from audit findings and financial penalties.
- Lead technical team to build web-base application to audit all platform user accounts to meet new company SOX compliance standards.
- Support all audit inquiries and facilitate data gathering and ensure compliance with SSAE3402, SOX, PCI and client relate audits.
- Configure Linux system to securely back up configuration nightly.
- Develop executive summaries for end-to-end e-mail encryption and enterprise digital rights management.
- Develop and deploy numerous information systems security policies in preparation for federal HIPAA compliance
- Translate business requirements into firewall changes and move through change management process into implementation and follow up.
Senior information security analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Senior Information Security Analysts are proficient in Incident Response, Risk Assessments, and Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Information Security Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Incident Response, 6%
Participated in security incident response, including incident identification, investigation, containment, remediation, reporting, and post-incident analysis.
- Risk Assessments, 5%
Conducted internal risk assessments and designed process and technology enhancements to mitigate risk.
- Infrastructure, 4%
Ensured access control and identity management roles and responsibilities were accurate for critical infrastructure as well as for user support.
- ISO, 4%
Led small team of on-site information security professionals, chosen as FISMA security team lead for contractor's OCFO Federal ISO.
- Governance, 3%
Tested customer networks for vulnerabilities and provided Governance and Risk Compliance analysis reports.
- SOC, 3%
Review threats and security events for the Customs and Border Protection's SOC/CSIRC and DHS SOC.
"incident response," "risk assessments," and "infrastructure" are among the most common skills that senior information security analysts use at work. You can find even more senior information security analyst responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior information security analyst to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what senior information security analysts do because "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved." Additionally, a senior information security analyst resume shows how senior information security analysts use analytical skills: "performed advanced anomaly detection and analysis of the internal/external dmz environments utilizing ips & ids, and implemented corrective actions. "
Detail oriented. Many senior information security analyst duties rely on detail oriented. "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.," so a senior information security analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior information security analyst responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "created and maintained departmental sharepoint infrastructure allowing detailed project tracking and documentation control. "
Problem-solving skills. senior information security analysts are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior information security analyst responsibilities, because "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." A senior information security analyst resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "led and managed remote access project, including encryption solutions. "
See the full list of senior information security analyst skills
The three companies that hire the most senior information security analysts are:
- General Dynamics469 senior information security analysts jobs
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
175 senior information security analysts jobs
- Rubrik52 senior information security analysts jobs
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Compare different senior information security analysts
Senior information security analyst vs. Analyst
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior information security analysts and analyst. For instance, senior information security analyst responsibilities require skills such as "incident response," "risk assessments," "infrastructure," and "iso." Whereas a analyst is skilled in "customer service," "troubleshoot," "data analysis," and "management system." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $79,330. On the other hand, senior information security analysts are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $106,358.On average, analysts reach lower levels of education than senior information security analysts. Analysts are 6.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior information security analyst vs. Security engineer
Security engineers are responsible for developing and overseeing data and security software to help prevent data breaches, leaks, and taps related to cybercrime. Other duties and responsibilities include developing new systems to help protect computer networks and assets, configuring firewalls, and conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Additionally, security engineers are responsible for investigating attacks and help prevent cybersecurity threat. They are also responsible for creating new processes for authorization, encryption algorithms, and authentication, and analyzing current security policies.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior information security analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "governance," "security tools," "architecture," and "ids." Meanwhile, a security engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "troubleshoot," "nist," "security solutions," and "azure." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Security engineers earn a higher average salary than senior information security analysts. But security engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $126,572. Additionally, senior information security analysts earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $106,358 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Security engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than senior information security analysts. In fact, they're 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior information security analyst vs. Securities consultant
A securities consultant is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the company's premises, including enforcing protection for all the employees and company assets. Securities consultants also handle the confidentiality and stability of data network systems to prevent potential breaches and unauthorized access to information. They coordinate with the system analysts to design programs and databases as part of technical solutions to maximize productivity and increase efficiency. A securities consultant writes incident reports, recommend strategic techniques, and research threat risks that may put the company in jeopardy.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from senior information security analyst resumes include skills like "governance," "soc," "security tools," and "system security," whereas a securities consultant is more likely to list skills in "security management," "nist," "customer service," and "security solutions. "
Securities consultants earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $99,249. Senior information security analysts earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $106,358.Most securities consultants achieve a lower degree level compared to senior information security analysts. For example, they're 7.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior information security analyst vs. Security administrator
A security administrator is in charge of establishing and enforcing security measures over a company's information systems and networks. Their duties typically revolve around installing and maintaining security networks, analyzing existing systems to identify areas needing improvement, conducting regular maintenance checks and upgrades to optimize services and functions, and monitoring overall systems for any suspicious activities or breaches. Furthermore, as a security administrator, it is essential to develop information technology solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior information security analysts and security administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior information security analyst might have more use for skills like "incident response," "risk assessments," "infrastructure," and "iso." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of security administrators require skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," "security procedures," and "data entry. "
Security administrators enjoy the best pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $91,933. For comparison, senior information security analysts earn the highest salary in the professional industry.security administrators reach lower levels of education compared to senior information security analysts, in general. The difference is that they're 11.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of senior information security analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
