Senior security architect vs information technology security manager

The differences between senior security architects and information technology 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 technology security manager. Additionally, a senior security architect has an average salary of $129,456, which is higher than the $124,792 average annual salary of an information technology 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 technology security manager are NIST, risk management, and project management.

Senior security architect vs information technology security manager overview

	Senior Security Architect	Information Technology Security Manager
Yearly salary	$129,456	$124,792
Hourly rate	$62.24	$60.00
Growth rate	32%	32%
Number of jobs	123,555	120,463
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	6

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 technology security manager do?

An information technology security manager is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's network systems to prevent unauthorized access and illegal dissemination of information from the database. Information technology security managers resolve technical issues, configure network updates, and upgrade system infrastructures to enhance optimal performance and navigation. They also install applications, inspect security breaches, and fix faulty servers to avoid system downtimes and operational delays. An information technology security manager must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing reports for system findings and design networks according to business requirements.

Senior security architect vs information technology security manager salary

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

	Senior Security Architect	Information Technology Security Manager
Average salary	$129,456	$124,792
Salary range	Between $96,000 And $173,000	Between $91,000 And $170,000
Highest paying City	Olympia, WA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	Apple	PayPal
Best paying industry	Professional	Hospitality

Differences between senior security architect and information technology security manager education

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

	Senior Security Architect	Information Technology Security Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Senior security architect vs information technology security manager demographics

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

	Senior Security Architect	Information Technology Security Manager
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%	Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6%
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%

Differences between senior security architect and information technology 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.

Information technology security manager example responsibilities.

Manage and represent RMFMC when dealing with patients and employees regarding matters of breach of privacy and / or HIPAA violations.
Manage CoBIT compliance and control self-assessment program to identify control deficiencies.
Manage the conversion to a hybrid NAS/disk/tape CommVault base backup environment resulting in decreasing backup windows and improving recovery objectives.
Create and implement security controls (encryption, inventory management), policies and procedures to ensure HIPAA compliance.
Maintain the operation in conformity with ITIL standards and practices.
Assist NASA in its compliance with relevant security standards, including NIST and FISMA.

Senior security architect vs information technology security manager skills

Common senior security architect skills

Cloud Security, 8%
Cloud, 8%
Risk Assessments, 5%
Encryption, 5%
Firewall, 5%
Windows, 4%

Common information technology security manager skills

NIST, 7%
Risk Management, 6%
Project Management, 6%
Risk Assessments, 4%
Incident Response, 4%
ISO, 4%

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Senior Security Architect vs Information Technology Security Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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