Computer and Mathematical · Holland code CIR

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.

Also called: Information Security Officer, Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO), Information Technology Security Analyst (IT Security Analyst), Network Security Analyst, Information Security Specialist, Information Systems Security Analyst, Security Analyst, Systems Analyst.

O*NET 15-1212.00

At a glance

US median annual pay: $129,180; Middle half earn $97,810 to $163,500. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Most common education: Bachelor's Degree; 53% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
Preparation needed: Job Zone 4 of 5; Considerable preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
US employment outlook, 2024 to 2034: +29% · Much faster than average; 182,800 jobs in 2024, projected 234,900. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which groups this with similar roles as "Information security analysts".

What the work involves

The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.

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.
Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests.
Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.

Skills and knowledge it leans on

Skills

Reading Comprehension4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking3.9 / 5
Active Listening3.8 / 5
Speaking3.6 / 5
Writing3.5 / 5
Monitoring3.4 / 5

Knowledge areas

Computers and Electronics4.3 / 5
English Language4.3 / 5
Administration and Management3.7 / 5
Engineering and Technology3.6 / 5
Telecommunications3.6 / 5
Customer and Personal Service3.4 / 5

Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.

Who tends to enjoy it

How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.

Realistic43
Investigative73
Artistic6
Social18
Enterprising31
Conventional85

The same work abroad

Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.

European occupation titles (ESCO)

ICT disaster recovery analyst · DE Analytiker für IT-Notfallwiederherstellung/Analytikerin für IT-Notfallwiederherstellung · FR analyste de la reprise des activités informatiques
chief ICT security officer · DE IT-Sicherheitsleiter/IT-Sicherheitsleiterin · FR responsable de la sécurité des TIC
digital forensics expert · DE IT-Forensik-Experte/IT-Forensik-Expertin · FR spécialiste de l’investigation numérique
ethical hacker · DE ethischer Hacker/ethische Hackerin · FR hacker éthique
ICT resilience manager · DE IT-Notfallmanager/IT-Notfallmanagerin · FR responsable de la résilience informatique
ICT security administrator · DE IT-Sicherheitsadministrator/IT-Sicherheitsadministratorin · FR administrateur sécurité informatique/administratrice sécurité informatique

Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)

Cyber security professionals (2135)91,200 employed
IT quality and testing professionals (2136)32,600 employed
IT user support technicians (3132)135,000 employed

Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.

Pay across Europe, for the whole group

Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.

Median annual earnings, Professionals, by country
Country	Median pay
Belgium	€61,714
Germany	€59,529
Ireland	€56,877
Austria	€55,374
Netherlands	€53,595
Sweden	€43,567
France	€41,515
Spain	€35,735
Italy	€33,649
Portugal	€26,072
Poland	€14,380

Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.

Is it a fit for you?

Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.

Take the career interests test