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What does a senior security consultant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Peter Woolley Ph.D.
What does a senior security consultant do

A senior security consultant is an information technology (IT) expert specializing in establishing security protocols and systems to protect a company's data and network. Their responsibilities revolve around performing internal research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current IT security systems, recommending solutions to problem areas, and suggesting new tools and techniques to improve data security. Furthermore, as a senior security consultant, it is essential to monitor the company's systems and networks and promptly respond to any breaches, conducting corrective and preventive measures to prevent it from ever happening again.

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Senior security consultant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior security consultant resumes:

  • Manage GLBA security awareness and training program and annual information security awareness activities.
  • Work alongside the QA department to ensure all documents are concise and well written in order to meet ISO's standards.
  • Monitor company s internal logs and traffic via Splunk to proactively investigate suspicious traffic and determine if the anomalies are malicious.
  • Perform email and file encryption transition for global financial/insurance company.
  • Assist organizations with creation of their management systems and registration to international (ISO) security and service management standards.
  • Provide technical leadership, task management, and engineering support to customers in the development of cryptography and key management solutions.
  • Apply advance knowledge of core networking technologies (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).
  • Create new market share by selling ADT products and services to new and existing homeowners also small and commercial businesses.
  • Design the virtualization strategy with primary and secondary data center.

Senior security consultant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Senior Security Consultants are proficient in Cloud Security, Infrastructure, and Governance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Security Consultants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Cloud Security, 9%

    Vetted cloud security vendors, tailored to specific customer requirements.

  • Infrastructure, 7%

    Performed Information Security assessments of corporate server and network infrastructure, including security policies, procedures, and disaster recovery plans.

  • Governance, 5%

    Directed, planned financial and governance, management, coordinated and participated in IO collection management.

  • Java, 5%

    Performed large-scale application security integration and Java development for the PwC IAM practice.

  • Risk Management, 5%

    Evaluate safety and risk management programs and implement training and operational procedures to aide compliance with industry standards.

  • Access Management, 4%

    Implemented Identity and Access Management project, provisioning and delegated administration, directory services, meta- and virtual directory.

Most senior security consultants use their skills in "cloud security," "infrastructure," and "governance" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior security consultant responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior security consultant to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what senior security consultants 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 security consultant resume shows how senior security consultants use analytical skills: "manage and provide support to analyze windows/linux logs(log watch), network/host based syslog logs etc. "

Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior security consultant duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance." According to a senior security consultant resume, here's how senior security consultants can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "conducted iso 27002 security assessments, providing detailed findings, risks and recommendations. "

Problem-solving skills. senior security consultants are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior security consultant responsibilities, because "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." A senior security consultant resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "implement encryption solutions from pgp for file and disk encryption. "

All senior security consultant skills

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Senior Security Consultant Resume
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Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume
Senior Security Consultant Resume

Compare different senior security consultants

Senior security consultant vs. Information assurance engineer

Information assurance engineers are responsible for protecting an organization's data. They act as a team of security specialists that use their skill in securely operating and keeping data to protect the organization's most essential asset. Their main role is to guarantee the quality, security, and retrievability of the organization's information. Also, they outline security systems that make certain the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of data. Additionally, they secure IT infrastructure, maintain hardware and software updated, establish security standards, and monitor threats like breaches.

We looked at the average senior security consultant salary and compared it with the wages of an information assurance engineer. Generally speaking, information assurance engineers are paid $31,478 lower than senior security consultants per year.Even though senior security consultants and information assurance engineers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require cloud security, java, and windows in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior security consultants and information assurance engineer. For instance, senior security consultant responsibilities require skills such as "infrastructure," "governance," "risk management," and "access management." Whereas a information assurance engineer is skilled in "rmf," "iam," "acas," and "assurance support." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Information assurance engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the professional industry, with an average yearly salary of $97,153. On the other hand, senior security consultants are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $124,284.On average, information assurance engineers reach similar levels of education than senior security consultants. Information assurance engineers are 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior security consultant 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.

On average, security administrators earn a $41,205 lower salary than senior security consultants a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both senior security consultants and security administrators have skills such as "provisioning," "security policies," and "mobile device management. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior security consultant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cloud security," "infrastructure," "governance," and "java." Meanwhile, a security administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "troubleshoot," "security procedures," and "data entry." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Security administrators may earn a lower salary than senior security consultants, but security administrators earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $91,933. On the other hand, senior security consultants receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $124,284.security administrators earn lower levels of education than senior security consultants in general. They're 9.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior security consultants in the next 3-5 years?

Peter Woolley Ph.D.Peter Woolley Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Founding Director, Fairleigh Dickinson University

One next big thing will be blockchain technology. This will be used to keep records secure and to record every public transaction and contract. If you want to jump to the head of the line, start reading about it now.

Senior security consultant vs. Information systems security officer

An information systems security officer's role is to perform preventive measures to protect a company's data and systems from hackers or cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around assessing the existing security measures to identify any vulnerabilities or inconsistencies, recommending and implementing changes to improve security systems, and developing new strategies and programs for data protection. There are also instances when an information systems security officer must manage and maintain information in databases, train new employees, and create new security policies, all while adhering to the company's vision and mission.

On average, information systems security officers earn lower salaries than senior security consultants, with a $30,039 difference per year.By looking over several senior security consultants and information systems security officers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "cloud security," "windows," and "azure." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior security consultant is likely to be skilled in "infrastructure," "governance," "java," and "risk management," while a typical information systems security officer is skilled in "rmf," "isso," "security posture," and "sci."

Information systems security officers earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $89,615. Comparatively, senior security consultants have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $124,284.Most information systems security officers achieve a similar degree level compared to senior security consultants. For example, they're 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior security consultant vs. Securities analyst

Securities analysts, also known as financial analysts, are responsible for collecting and interpreting data on securities, economies, corporate strategies, and financial markets. They provide clients with recommendations on investments based on in-depth research. This role has various duties and responsibilities that include putting out a buy, sell or hold recommendation in the financial markets, assessing the value and financial stability of companies, and meeting with company representatives to better understand their business practices. Securities analysts are also responsible for devising financial models.

Securities analysts average a lower salary than the annual salary of senior security consultants. The difference is about $36,435 per year.While both senior security consultants and securities analysts complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like java, access management, and nist, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior security consultants and securities analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior security consultant might have more use for skills like "cloud security," "infrastructure," "governance," and "risk management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of securities analysts require skills like "database," "security events," "security incidents," and "soc. "

Securities analysts enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $95,246. For comparison, senior security consultants earn the highest salary in the technology industry.securities analysts reach similar levels of education compared to senior security consultants, in general. The difference is that they're 3.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior security consultant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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