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Senior systems security engineer vs information systems security officer

The differences between senior systems security engineers and information systems security officers 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 systems security engineer and an information systems security officer. Additionally, a senior systems security engineer has an average salary of $112,486, which is higher than the $90,730 average annual salary of an information systems security officer.

The top three skills for a senior systems security engineer include DOD, security engineering and RMF. The most important skills for an information systems security officer are RMF, DOD, and ISSO.

Senior systems security engineer vs information systems security officer overview

Senior Systems Security EngineerInformation Systems Security Officer
Yearly salary$112,486$90,730
Hourly rate$54.08$43.62
Growth rate32%32%
Number of jobs136,367202,299
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does a senior systems security engineer do?

A senior systems security engineer maintains the safety and security of an organization's computer systems and network databases to safeguard them from unauthorized access and data breaches. The professional is also responsible for performing system configuration, ensuring the efficiency of computer networks, and increasing the optimal performance of complex systems. The core skills that a senior systems security engineer should possess include strong problem-solving and analytical skills and a keen eye for details. The education requirements for the position include a college or bachelor's degree in the field of computer systems security, computer science, and information technology.

What does an information systems security officer do?

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.

Senior systems security engineer vs information systems security officer salary

Senior systems security engineers and information systems security officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Systems Security EngineerInformation Systems Security Officer
Average salary$112,486$90,730
Salary rangeBetween $83,000 And $151,000Between $68,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAPalmdale, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCredit KarmaParsons
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between senior systems security engineer and information systems security officer education

There are a few differences between a senior systems security engineer and an information systems security officer in terms of educational background:

Senior Systems Security EngineerInformation Systems Security Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Information Systems
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachStanford University

Senior systems security engineer vs information systems security officer demographics

Here are the differences between senior systems security engineers' and information systems security officers' demographics:

Senior Systems Security EngineerInformation Systems Security Officer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 86.0% Female, 14.0%Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%
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 systems security engineer and information systems security officer duties and responsibilities

Senior systems security engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage logistics of moving necessary equipment for test across country to newly designed/built NSA certify test facility.
  • Conduct security engineering activities and apply appropriate safeguards on system components as outlined in applicable DoD security policies and guidelines.
  • Utilize existing IP filtering code in the Linux kernel and build a firewall with tracking and strike back capabilities.
  • Author operational reports to prove an operational ACAS security overview for ARCYBER G36.
  • Create custom network attach storage (NAS) systems using Linux network block devices (NBD).
  • Identify continuous monitoring security controls to test using NIST SP 800-53/53A and produce associate documentation.
  • Show more

Information systems security officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage a $1 million civilian contract; ISSO for 4 separate networks , 9K users, and 8K systems.
  • Lead implementation for new DAR solution for global disk encryption, developing management policy to prevent document and data leakage.
  • Manage logistics of moving necessary equipment for test across country to newly designed/built NSA certify test facility.
  • Track and report risk identify in the vulnerability scans to the IAM.
  • Perform user account administration, media control, implementation and enforcement of DoD computer security plans/policies/procedures/directives, and system security training.
  • Install DISA security patches on UNIX servers.
  • Show more

Senior systems security engineer vs information systems security officer skills

Common senior systems security engineer skills
  • DOD, 8%
  • Security Engineering, 8%
  • RMF, 7%
  • NIST, 6%
  • Windows, 5%
  • Linux, 4%
Common information systems security officer skills
  • RMF, 9%
  • DOD, 8%
  • ISSO, 7%
  • Windows, 5%
  • Security Posture, 5%
  • SCI, 4%

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