Career profile · 15-1212
Information Security Analysts
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
What the work can involve
- Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
- Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
- Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
- Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This O*NET group commonly calls for substantial preparation, often including a bachelor’s degree or considerable relevant experience. An introductory vocational course alone may not provide an entry route.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Telecommunications
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Processing Information
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
- Information Technology449 institutions →
- Computer Science329 institutions →
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications523 institutions →
- Network and System Administration/Administrator239 institutions →
- System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager89 institutions →
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance608 institutions →
- Information Technology Project Management28 institutions →
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Constant contact with others | 46.2%08/2018 · sample 25 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Never | 55.7%08/2018 · sample 25 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 98.7%08/2018 · sample 24 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 74.9%08/2018 · sample 25 |
| Spend Time Sitting | More than half the time | 47.3%08/2018 · sample 25 |
| Spend Time Standing | Less than half the time | 72.9%08/2018 · sample 24 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | Continually or almost continually | 33.0%08/2018 · sample 25 |
| Time Pressure | Once a month or more but not every week | 49.4%08/2018 · sample 25 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Never | 76.5%08/2018 · sample 23 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 89.9%08/2018 · sample 25 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Access software: Access management software, Citrix cloud computing software, IBM Tivoli Access Management TAM
- Administration software: Cisco Systems CiscoWorks
- Analytical or scientific software: SAS, The MathWorks MATLAB
- Application server software: Docker, GitHub, Oracle WebLogic Server, Red Hat OpenShift
- Authentication server software: Diameter, IBM Tivoli Identity Management TIM, Password management software, Remote authentication dial-in user service RADIUS software
- Backup or archival software: Backup and archival software, System and data disaster recovery software, Veritas NetBackup
- Business intelligence and data analysis software: Apache Spark, IBM Cognos Impromptu, MicroStrategy, Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
- Cloud-based management software: Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, IBM WebSphere, Splunk Enterprise
- Cloud-based protection or security software: Qualys Cloud Platform
- Clustering software: VMware
- Communications server software: IBM Domino
- Configuration management software: Automated installation software, Chef, Patch and update management software, Perforce Helix software
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for information security analysts
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 50 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $122,730 | $59.00 | 4,010 |
| Alaska | $114,990 | $55.28 | 300 |
| Arizona | $125,260 | $60.22 | 3,420 |
| Arkansas | $103,490 | $49.76 | 1,460 |
| California | $138,570 | $66.62 | 15,570 |
| Colorado | $135,220 | $65.01 | 5,700 |
| Connecticut | $130,570 | $62.77 | 1,170 |
| Delaware | $137,030 | $65.88 | 720 |
| District of Columbia | $135,090 | $64.95 | 1,510 |
| Florida | $124,860 | $60.03 | 14,220 |
| Georgia | $128,970 | $62.00 | 6,290 |
| Hawaii | $126,250 | $60.70 | 580 |
| Idaho | Not published | Not published | 840 |
| Illinois | $124,180 | $59.70 | 5,260 |
| Indiana | $101,420 | $48.76 | 2,260 |
| Iowa | $119,710 | $57.55 | 1,160 |
| Kansas | $100,620 | $48.38 | 1,830 |
| Kentucky | $103,630 | $49.82 | 1,680 |
| Louisiana | $92,990 | $44.71 | 720 |
| Maine | $101,730 | $48.91 | 400 |
| Maryland | $139,640 | $67.14 | 8,650 |
| Massachusetts | $136,550 | $65.65 | 6,100 |
| Michigan | $106,230 | $51.07 | 3,280 |
| Minnesota | $130,710 | $62.84 | 2,680 |
| Mississippi | $87,690 | $42.16 | 480 |
| Missouri | $103,440 | $49.73 | 3,260 |
| Montana | $81,950 | $39.40 | 380 |
| Nebraska | $92,550 | $44.50 | 1,210 |
| Nevada | $106,200 | $51.06 | 1,330 |
| New Hampshire | $124,000 | $59.62 | 590 |
| New Jersey | $134,820 | $64.82 | 4,860 |
| New Mexico | $130,070 | $62.54 | 2,470 |
| New York | $134,660 | $64.74 | 10,060 |
| North Carolina | $131,540 | $63.24 | 8,670 |
| North Dakota | $107,540 | $51.70 | 310 |
| Ohio | $110,480 | $53.11 | 6,010 |
| Oklahoma | $94,000 | $45.19 | 1,640 |
| Oregon | Not published | Not published | 2,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $117,770 | $56.62 | 4,660 |
| Rhode Island | $109,420 | $52.61 | 710 |
| South Carolina | $105,800 | $50.87 | 1,720 |
| South Dakota | $116,640 | $56.08 | 770 |
| Tennessee | $115,430 | $55.50 | 3,330 |
| Texas | $129,890 | $62.45 | 16,130 |
| Utah | $99,690 | $47.93 | 1,910 |
| Vermont | $109,750 | $52.77 | 220 |
| Virginia | $134,900 | $64.86 | 19,120 |
| Washington | $154,940 | $74.49 | 6,030 |
| Wisconsin | $101,550 | $48.82 | 2,130 |
| Wyoming | $98,710 | $47.46 | 140 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 332 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
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Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 15-1212.00.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.