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Senior security architect vs information security manager

The differences between senior security architects 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 senior security architect and an information security manager. Additionally, a senior security architect has an average salary of $129,456, which is higher than the $126,447 average annual salary of an information security manager.

The top three skills for a senior security architect include cloud security, cloud and risk assessments. The most important skills for an information security manager are risk management, NIST, and infrastructure.

Senior security architect vs information security manager overview

Senior Security ArchitectInformation Security Manager
Yearly salary$129,456$126,447
Hourly rate$62.24$60.79
Growth rate32%32%
Number of jobs123,555115,414
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does a senior security architect do?

Senior security architects deal with developing solutions to accomplish goals and providing ideas about structure, growth, and solutions. Their job revolves around a quick moving environment, constant communication, and working with partners to identify business opportunities. Having this position requires leadership and mentoring skills to help junior team members succeed in this field. They should have technical skills to design and develop solutions to improve an already existing technology. Also, they will be responsible for developing, planning, and executing security systems and strategies.

What does an information security manager do?

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.

Senior security architect vs information security manager salary

Senior security architects and information security managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Security ArchitectInformation Security Manager
Average salary$129,456$126,447
Salary rangeBetween $96,000 And $173,000Between $91,000 And $175,000
Highest paying CityOlympia, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleeBay
Best paying industryProfessionalMedia

Differences between senior security architect and information security manager education

There are a few differences between a senior security architect and an information security manager in terms of educational background:

Senior Security ArchitectInformation Security Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorComputer ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Senior security architect vs information security manager demographics

Here are the differences between senior security architects' and information security managers' demographics:

Senior Security ArchitectInformation Security Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 94.3% Female, 5.7%Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2%
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 security architect and information security manager duties and responsibilities

Senior security architect example responsibilities.

  • Achieve full compliance for industry specification standards (UL, NEMA, NIST).
  • Manage logistics of moving necessary equipment for test across country to newly designed/built NSA certify test facility.
  • Provide governance and direction for proper use of data.
  • Implement logging, Nessus, write policies and develop encryption from framework for PCI/SOX compliance.
  • Ensure encryption solutions are in compliance with company policies, regulatory directives, and best practices.
  • Develop enterprise security policy, standards, controls and guidelines base on PCI, SOX, HIPPA, and NIST standards.
  • Show more

Information security manager example responsibilities.

  • Develop goals and strategies to achieve company goals while improving upon current ITIL processes and procedures.
  • Provide direct leadership with managing corporate HIPAA Privacy/Security compliance initiatives.
  • Manage the administration of various encryption, authentication and public/private key management technologies and certificate/digital authority.
  • Manage the conversion to a hybrid NAS/disk/tape CommVault base backup environment resulting in decreasing backup windows and improving recovery objectives.
  • Conduct risk assessments and collaborate with leadership to provide recommendations regarding critical infrastructure and network security operations enhancements.
  • Coordinate penetration testing, address vulnerabilities, and analyze NIST 800-82 and ISO 27001 standards/gap analysis for SCADA and business networks.
  • Show more

Senior security architect vs information security manager skills

Common senior security architect skills
  • Cloud Security, 8%
  • Cloud, 8%
  • Risk Assessments, 5%
  • Encryption, 5%
  • Firewall, 5%
  • Windows, 4%
Common information security manager skills
  • Risk Management, 7%
  • NIST, 7%
  • Infrastructure, 5%
  • Governance, 5%
  • Incident Response, 5%
  • Risk Assessments, 5%

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