Information Security Analysts
Computer and Mathematical
Develops plans to protect computer files from unauthorized change, destruction, or disclosure, then tests systems to check that those controls work. Daily work includes encrypting transmissions, setting up firewalls, watching virus reports so protection stays current, and changing access settings when software or people change. When security rules are broken, the work includes reviewing what happened and walking through procedures with the people involved. Policies, emergency measures, and test results get documented; users are consulted about access needs and programming changes. Suits people who like methodical risk checks, careful threat tracking, and explaining rules in writing and in conversation.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$129'180
Median Wage Market Position
$129'180
What you might do
- Plan protections for files against unauthorized access
- Monitor virus reports and update protection software
- Encrypt data and install network firewalls
- Test systems to find and fix security gaps
- Change user access rights in security files
- Review security violations and talk with users
Skills that matter
- Assessing systems for security weaknesses
- Planning safeguards for files and networks
- Encrypting data and setting up firewalls
- Writing security and emergency procedures
- Talking users through access and violations
- Reviewing virus reports and protection updates
AI & the future of this role
Alert triage and routine vulnerability scanning could lean more on automated systems. Incident response, adversarial thinking, policy tradeoffs, and accountability when breaches occur still tend to favor skilled human analysts.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details