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Information Security Engineers

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies. Build, maintain and upgrade security technology, such as firewalls, for the safe use of computer networks and the transmission and retrieval of information. Design and implement appropriate security controls to identify vulnerabilities and protect digital files and electronic infrastructures. Monitor and respond to computer security breaches, viruses, and intrusions, and perform forensic investigation. May oversee the assessment of information security systems.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $116,580 Median per year · $56.05/hr Most earn $55,940–$188,470

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Oversee performance of risk assessment or execution of system tests to ensure the functioning of data processing activities or security measures.
  • Write reports regarding investigations of information security breaches or network evaluations.
  • Identify or implement solutions to information security problems.
  • Coordinate vulnerability assessments or analysis of information security systems.
  • Review security assessments for computing environments or check for compliance with cybersecurity standards and regulations.
  • Coordinate documentation of computer security or emergency measure policies, procedures, or tests.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth; New and Emerging

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 27,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service19.6%
  • Computer systems design and related services16.0%
  • Management of companies and enterprises4.9%
  • Self-employed (their own business)4.9%
  • Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services3.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 4 to 6 years

This is not an entry-level job. Most people earn a bachelor's degree and then spend about 4 to 6 years in related IT or security roles before moving into it, so the full path often takes roughly 8 to 10 years from starting college.

  1. Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or information technology

    4 years

    You learn programming, operating systems, and networking, which are the base skills every security engineer uses every day.

  2. Network and Computer Systems Administrator

    2-3 years

    You keep company networks, servers, and user accounts running, and you learn how systems really break and how attackers get in.

  3. Information Security Analyst

    2-3 years

    You monitor alerts, respond to incidents, check for weaknesses, and help set security rules, which builds the hands-on experience engineers need.

  4. Information Security Engineer

    Ongoing

    You build, upgrade, and manage security tools such as firewalls and monitoring systems, and you lead investigations when breaches happen.

Where it can lead

  1. Security Manager

    4-6 years of experience first

    You shift from hands-on technical work to leading a security team, setting policy, managing budgets, and deciding how the organization handles risk.

  2. Computer Network Architect

    4-6 years of experience first

    You design the overall structure of large networks and decide how security fits into them, which takes deep technical knowledge and experience planning systems.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take computer science and math classesProgramming and logic classes build the thinking skills you use when you find and fix security problems.
  • Join a coding, robotics, or computer clubWorking on team projects shows you how real systems are built and gives you something to point to later.
  • Try cybersecurity games or competitionsCapture-the-flag style challenges, often run by schools or online communities, let you practice hacking and defending in a safe setting.
  • Get a starter job helping with tech supportFixing computers and helping people teaches you how networks and user accounts work, which is the foundation for security work.
  • Learn basic networking and Linux on your ownUnderstanding how data moves across networks and how Linux systems are managed is essential for almost every security role.

In college

  • Major in computer science or cybersecurityA degree in one of these fields covers the programming, networking, and security courses this career expects.
  • Take networking, operating systems, and security coursesThese classes directly teach how to protect systems, spot weaknesses, and investigate intrusions.
  • Join a student cybersecurity or capture-the-flag clubClub practice builds hands-on skills and teamwork, and it helps you meet people who can refer you to jobs.
  • Pursue an internship or IT job on campusCampus IT, help desk, or security internships give you real work experience that employers look for in analysts and admins.
  • Earn an entry-level security certificationA recognized beginner certification in security or networking shows employers you have verified knowledge before you graduate.

Tips for getting started

  • Build a home lab or practice on free online security challenges, and keep notes on what you tried. Employers often care more about what you can show you can do than about grades alone.
  • Look for part-time or help desk IT work while you study. Real experience with users, networks, and problems that need fixing is what gets you into the admin and analyst roles that lead here.
  • Check job postings for Information Security Analyst and Security Engineer in your area. Reading the required skills tells you exactly what to learn next. For pay information, look at the career pages on your results, which show typical pay near you and nationally.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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