Information Security Manager: Salary, Job Description and Requirements

The average cost of a data breach in the U.S. is $9.48 million, according to 2023 data from IBM. Additionally, it takes an average of 277 days to identify and contain a breach. As cybersecurity attacks become more common due to various factors, such as an increase in work-from-home employees who lack proper security training and a higher volume of attacks that take more effort to prevent and contain, companies require professionals to lead their information security efforts and reduce the effects of stolen or leaked data.

Information security managers help prevent these cyberattacks by continuously updating security systems and paying attention to the latest trends and cyberthreats. Individuals who are interested in developing the extensive cybersecurity skills to pursue this career should consider earning an advanced degree in information security management.

What Does an Information Security Manager Do?

Information security managers are the backbone of a company’s cybersecurity efforts, creating defensive measures and protocols that help keep private or confidential information from leaking or being stolen. They also help implement security measures and update them when newer and more secure technology becomes available. As managers, they’re responsible for leading and training their team of security analysts who help maintain these systems.

Information security managers’ responsibilities may also include securing sensitive physical information. Some companies have separate departments for digital and physical information security, but some managers may share those responsibilities. For example, they may need to protect physical records from unauthorized personnel by requiring a key card or a digital signature to access them.

Where Do Information Security Managers Work?

Information security managers can work in any industry that regularly uses and stores sensitive digital information. An increasing number of companies are adopting digital storage for customer and business data, giving information security managers a large number of industries to choose from. These industries include the following:

Finance
Health care
Manufacturing
Retail
Government
Insurance
Internet and telecommunications
Cybersecurity

Information security managers may work in an office or a remote work setting. They’re often part of a management team that helps oversee the company’s security analysts. Depending on the company’s size, they may take a more active role in technical aspects of information security, such as installing security features in a server or training nonsecurity employees on how to access confidential information safely.

Information Security Manager Education and Skill Requirements

Professionals seeking to become an information security manager need a strong foundational education, such as a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or information technology. After earning an education, professionals should seek entry-level or internship employment in information security to help them build up relevant skills through hands-on experience. As they develop their skills, they can leverage their experience with an advanced education to seek information security management positions.

An advanced degree, such as a Master of Science (MS) in Information Security Management, can help showcase to employers a deeper knowledge of cybersecurity systems and how to prevent security breaches and meet legal and ethical requirements in storing confidential data.

Prospective information security managers must also earn relevant certifications, such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. This certification confirms that they’ve acquired a level of knowledge in areas such as risk management and network security and is typically regarded as the industry standard for those looking to achieve advanced information security positions.

Here are a few vital skills for information security managers.

Technical Knowledge

Information security managers require in-depth knowledge of various operating systems, hardware components, and programming languages to create and manage security systems. Additionally, they’ll need an up-to-date understanding of the latest trends in security software options and malware threats.

Communication

As information security managers often serve as leaders, they must be able to instruct those they supervise. This training can include ethical compliance when managing data or information that’ll then be relayed to other members of the company by security team employees, such as mobile device security for viewing company data when away from the office. These managers must also effectively explain and advocate for security changes to policy, equipment, and software.

Problem-Solving

Companies need to handle malicious attacks on data quickly to help reduce collateral damage to their integrity and finances. The fast nature of cyberattacks requires information security managers to react swiftly to them, taking threats seriously and coming up with solutions under pressure. As the goal of most cybersecurity is to prevent an attack, these professionals need to come up with solutions to potential problems, so they may be better prepared.

Information Security Manager Salary and Job Outlook

Given the vital importance of the security of company data, the information security manager salary can be lucrative. The median annual salary for computer and system information managers, which includes information security managers, was $164,070 as of May 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This salary can fluctuate depending on the company’s location and size and the professional’s experience.

The BLS doesn’t indicate the exact job outlook for information security managers but does indicate positive growth. Computer occupations have a projected growth of 14 percent between 2022 and 2032, much higher than the 3 percent national average for all careers. The BLS attributes this growth to the increasing frequency and severity of cyberattacks that require a continuous upgrade of security technology by knowledgeable professionals.

Advance Your Career in Information Security

Cybersecurity professionals have high expectations due to the pivotal nature of their role in the modern digital landscape, resulting in a high information security manager salary for those who achieve this career. Consider the benefits of Augusta University Online’s MS in Information Security Management program in helping you achieve your career goals.

This program offers courses to help prepare you for the CISSP certification program, giving you an education that can give you the next step in your career. With eight-week courses with asynchronous start times, AU Online allows you to learn at your own pace, and the online nature of the program allows you to take your education wherever you need to go.

Learn how to take the next step in your career with AU Online.

Sources:
IBM, Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023
Indeed, Information Security vs. Cybersecurity: What Are the Differences?
Indeed, What Does an Information Security Manager Do? (With Skills)
ISC2, Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Payscale, Average Information Security Manager Salary
TechTarget, “What Does an IT Security Manager Do?”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Systems Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts