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Information Security Analysts

What They Do:

  • 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.  

Source: O*NET (2021)

Sample Job Titles:

  1. Information Security Officer
  2. Information Systems Security Analyst
  3. Information Technology Security Analyst (IT Security Analyst)
  4. Network Security Analyst
  5. Systems Analyst

Source: O*NET (2021)

Outlook in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)

Employment (Q1 2021) 2,861
Projected Annual Growth 2.6%
Average Entry Level Salary $62,700
Median Salary $104,700

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020-December 2020).

Supply-Demand Snapshot: Information Security Analysts (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
4,085
Current Workforce
2,861

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020-December 2020).

Preferred Certifications

(requested in at least 10% of entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (26%)
  • Security Clearance (25%)
  • CompTIA Security+ (18%)
  • SANS/GIAC Certification (12%)

Top 10 Skills Requested

(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Information Security
  • Information Systems
  • Information Assurance
  • Linux
  • Systems Engineering
  • Risk Management Framework
  • Cryptography
  • Network Security
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Customer Service

Source: Greater Washington Partnership Analysis of Burning Glass data, Q1 2021

Outlook in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)

Employment (Q1 2021) 11,464
Projected Annual Growth 3.2%
Average Entry Level Salary $73,700
Median Salary $117,400

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020-December 2020).

Supply-Demand Snapshot: Information Security Analysts (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
22,422
Current Workforce
11,464

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020-December 2020).

Preferred Certifications

(requested in at least 10% of entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Security Clearance (36%)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (33%)
  • SANS/GIAC Certification (20%)
  • CompTIA Security+ (20%)
  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) (11%)

Top 10 Skills Requested

(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Information Security
  • Information Systems
  • Linux
  • Information Assurance
  • Network Security
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Python
  • Risk Management Framework
  • Federal Information Security Management act

Source: Greater Washington Partnership Analysis of Burning Glass data, Q1 2021

Outlook in the Richmond, VA MSA MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)

Employment (Q1 2021) 1,624
Projected Annual Growth 2.6%
Average Entry Level Salary $73,200
Median Salary $109,900

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020-December 2020).

Supply-Demand Snapshot: Information Security Analysts (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
1,282
Current Workforce
1,624

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020-December 2020).

Preferred Certifications

(requested in at least 10% of entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (39%)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) (22%)
  • Information Systems Certification (21%)
  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) (15%)
  • Security Clearance (13%)

Top 10 Skills Requested

(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Information Security
  • Information Systems
  • Risk Management
  • Network Security
  • Linux
  • NIST SP 800-53
  • Project Management
  • Security Operations
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • Penetration Testing

Source: Greater Washington Partnership Analysis of Burning Glass data, Q1 2021

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