If you are interested in pursuing a career in the security and/or technology sectors, you may at some point have asked yourself, “What is an Information Security Manager?” By reading the data found below, you can obtain an answer to this question and several others that pertain to the field of information security management.
Information Security Manager – A Brief Overview
An information security manager is a high-ranking security position. Individuals who hold this office report directly to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The position involves hands-on management work that necessitates advanced skills in technology as well as management capabilities. To ensure the effective functioning of a business or organization, the information security manager will typically work with other staff members to coordinate projects, respond to incidents, and ensure the smooth and efficient use of relevant technology. Individuals who hold this position will typically identify security standards and initiatives.
Roles and Responsibilities
Although information security managers can be held responsible for the completion of divergent tasks, some of the typical roles and responsibilities will include:
- Overseeing a security personnel team who keep the organization’s intellectual property, information systems, and assets safe while also ensuring the physical security of IT facilities
- Coordinating the hiring, training, and evaluation processes of security employees as well as the development of educational and training programs. This work will ensure that staff members are informed about security standards, policies, and procedures.
- Identifying protection metrics, objectives, and goals that are consistent with the organization’s established strategic plan
- Managing the creation and effective implementation of organizational procedures, guidelines, standards, and security policies
- Maintaining productive and positive relationships with other state and federal law enforcement representatives as well as relevant government entities
- Asset protection
- Accessing the control systems to video surveillance and information processing facilities
- Presiding over information protection responsibilities, some of which will include network security architecture, network monitoring guidelines, and employee awareness
- Overseeing the processes involved in incident response planning and security breaches
- Assisting with legal and disciplinary matters associated with breaches
- Working with consultants in matters pertaining to independent security audits
Required Skills
The skill set that an information security manager must possess will differ based on the requirements of the employer. However, some of the skills that information security managers are generally expected to have will include:
- Technical knowledge of data structures, networking, internet, security, directory systems, and various other pertinent technologies
- Intelligence and the ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively
- The ability to operate with a management team and effectively communicate concepts that pertain to the world of security to both technical and non-technical staff members
- Experience with auditing, risk management, contracts, and business continuity planning
- Knowledge of the law enforcement community
- Solid understanding of information security and information technology
Educational Requirements/Salary
The educational requirements involved in becoming an information security manager will be contingent upon the employer. However, individuals who hold this position typically have a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as computer science or information technology. In many cases, individuals who obtain a master’s degree become more marketable job candidates. The average annual salary for an information security manager is $105,635, according to Salary.com.
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Conclusion
If you have given any consideration to the pursuit of a career in information security, you should note that opting to become an information security manager can help you accomplish this objective. Now that you know what an information security manager is, you can determine whether this vocational path would be ideal for you to pursue.
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