# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-security-analysts
- SOC code: 15-1212.00
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $129,180 (10th percentile $75,090, 90th percentile $199,850)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +21.0%
- Openings a year: 14,100
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CIR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 43 |
| Investigative (I) | 73 |
| Artistic (A) | 6 |
| Social (S) | 18 |
| Enterprising (E) | 31 |
| Conventional (C) | 85 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 93/100)
- Getting Information (importance 88/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 82/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 78/100)
- Processing Information (importance 77/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 77/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 76/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 76/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 74/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Systems Analysis, Active Learning

## Knowledge

Computers and Electronics, English Language, Administration and Management, Engineering and Technology, Telecommunications, Customer and Personal Service, Public Safety and Security, Education and Training, Mathematics, Communications and Media

## Also called

AI Security Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Security Specialist), All-Source Analyst, Application Security Analyst, Applications Security Analyst, Automatic Data Processing Systems Security Specialist (ADP Systems Security), Blue Team Member, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Cloud Security Architect, Cloud Security Engineer, Computer Security Coordinator

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Health and Medical Administrative Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5107) (CIP 5107, 1,585 colleges)
- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1101) (CIP 1101, 1,547 colleges)
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1110) (CIP 1110, 1,184 colleges)
- [Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1107) (CIP 1107, 1,070 colleges)
- [Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1109) (CIP 1109, 546 colleges)
- [Security Science and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4304) (CIP 4304, 513 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Computer Science | $173,492 | $268,121 | $19,000 |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $143,850 | $241,380 | $11,000 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Computer Science | $171,815 | $225,141 | $10,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Computer Science | $151,551 | $223,309 | $12,500 |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Computer Science | $155,162 | $217,973 | not reported |
| [Pomona College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pomona-college-2139) | Computer Science | $100,072 | $217,051 | not reported |
| [Stanford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stanford-university-2589) | Computer Science | $157,763 | $214,907 | $12,000 |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Computer Science | $141,816 | $214,479 | $15,000 |

## Related careers

- [Information Security Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-security-engineers): $116,580 median pay
- [Penetration Testers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/penetration-testers): $116,580 median pay
- [Digital Forensics Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/digital-forensics-analysts): $116,580 median pay
- [Network and Computer Systems Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/network-and-computer-systems-administrators): $99,130 median pay
- [Computer Systems Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-analysts): $105,850 median pay
- [Computer Network Support Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-network-support-specialists): $76,220 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.