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Senior information security consultant vs personnel security specialist

The differences between senior information security consultants and personnel security specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a senior information security consultant and a personnel security specialist. Additionally, a senior information security consultant has an average salary of $106,150, which is higher than the $78,967 average annual salary of a personnel security specialist.

The top three skills for a senior information security consultant include risk assessments, risk management and cloud security. The most important skills for a personnel security specialist are SCI, JPAS, and E-QIP.

Senior information security consultant vs personnel security specialist overview

Senior Information Security ConsultantPersonnel Security Specialist
Yearly salary$106,150$78,967
Hourly rate$51.03$37.96
Growth rate32%32%
Number of jobs115,97852,507
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does a senior information security consultant do?

A senior information security consultant manages and executes consultancy tasks in information compliance and security areas like privacy regulation, cybersecurity, cloud security, and software quality. They manage and conduct assessments depending on specific frameworks and lead teams during client projects. These professionals support organizations in implementing information security management systems as per the ISO standards. Also, senior information security consultants, coach medium consultants, and junior consultants on service offering and knowledge development. Also, they promote services and knowledge offerings.

What does a personnel security specialist do?

A personnel security specialist is responsible for conducting background checks and collecting requirements for security clearance. Personnel security specialists write background check reports, coordinate with other institutions for further investigations, and determining the eligibility of candidates for clearance. They must have excellent communication and researching skills to identify and gather data suitable for employment purposes. A personnel security specialist verifies and processes information according to security procedures and protocols, providing accurate information and managing data disputes.

Senior information security consultant vs personnel security specialist salary

Senior information security consultants and personnel security specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Information Security ConsultantPersonnel Security Specialist
Average salary$106,150$78,967
Salary rangeBetween $79,000 And $141,000Between $49,000 And $124,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonConnecticut
Best paying companyRingCentralPalantir
Best paying industryTelecommunicationTechnology

Differences between senior information security consultant and personnel security specialist education

There are a few differences between a senior information security consultant and a personnel security specialist in terms of educational background:

Senior Information Security ConsultantPersonnel Security Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorComputer ScienceCriminal Justice
Most common collegeStanford UniversityCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Senior information security consultant vs personnel security specialist demographics

Here are the differences between senior information security consultants' and personnel security specialists' demographics:

Senior Information Security ConsultantPersonnel Security Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 83.1% Female, 16.9%Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3%
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 senior information security consultant and personnel security specialist duties and responsibilities

Senior information security consultant example responsibilities.

  • Audit and recommend controls to mitigate risks and achieve compliance with SOX and GLBA regulations.
  • Manage the conversion to a hybrid NAS/disk/tape CommVault base backup environment resulting in decreasing backup windows and improving recovery objectives.
  • Utilize standard frameworks & guidelines such as ISO27001, OUM, NIST, ASD, PSR and NZISM.
  • Develop Cisco firewall policy and maintenance plans.
  • Organize NIST 800-53A lifecycle security activities: information categorization, audit, inventory and configuration management support.
  • Assume primary operational responsibility for Symantec DLP implementation
  • Show more

Personnel security specialist example responsibilities.

  • Implement group policies to manage domain / PC / user security.
  • Manage servers to include Cisco ACS (access control server), and external DNS server.
  • Manage multiple security programs and systems in accordance with NISPOM, DCID, M1 and JAFAN guidance.
  • Support all the applications deploy through the F5 LTM along with the configuration and the managing role.
  • Develop and manage covert CCTV program to support corporate investigations.
  • Develop expert working knowledge of personnel security administration activities using JPAS and E-QIP.
  • Show more

Senior information security consultant vs personnel security specialist skills

Common senior information security consultant skills
  • Risk Assessments, 10%
  • Risk Management, 9%
  • Cloud Security, 7%
  • NIST, 6%
  • Security Assessments, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
Common personnel security specialist skills
  • SCI, 7%
  • JPAS, 7%
  • E-QIP, 5%
  • DOD, 5%
  • Personnel Security, 5%
  • Government Agencies, 4%

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