Skills it runs on
The capabilities O*NET rates most important for this occupation — the human ground the work is built on.
See all skills →Information Security Engineers
Occupation · SOC 15-1299.05
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.
Also called: Information Security Auditor · Information Security System Engineer · Infrastructure Security Engineer · Security Engineer · BISO (Business Information Security Officer) · Cloud Engineer · Engineer · Security Analyst · Security Data Scientist · Systems Engineer · AI Security Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Security Specialist) · Application Security Administrator (Application Security Admin)
Job family: Computer and Mathematical Occupations
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/roles/role-15-1299-05/context.md directly.
AI work map
A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.
Market signal
Independent published positions, read together — not a forecast.
- Growing fast employment outlook (+8.2% by 2034)
- 31,300 openings/yr
- High AI exposure
- Median pay $108,970/yr
97th-percentile task overlap — yet about 31,300 openings a year (+8.2% projected, BLS) . What exposure means →
AI & job outlook
What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.
Exposure to current AI
Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.
| Measure | Rank vs all occupations | Percentile | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) High | 95th | 1.0 | |
| AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) High | 88th | 0.3 |
OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.4), with simple added tooling (β 0.7), and including AI-powered software (γ 1.0). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.
Job outlook
Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.
| Outlook | Growing fast · +8.2% by 2034 |
| Projected annual openings | 31,300 |
| Employment 2024 → 2034 | 472,000 → 510,500 |
“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.
Tasks
All 20 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.
- Identify security system weaknesses, using penetration tests. · importance 4.6
- Coordinate monitoring of networks or systems for security breaches or intrusions. · importance 4.4
- Assess the quality of security controls, using performance indicators. · importance 4.4
- Scan networks, using vulnerability assessment tools to identify vulnerabilities. · importance 4.3
- Train staff on, and oversee the use of, information security standards, policies, and best practices. · importance 4.3
- Develop response and recovery strategies for security breaches. · importance 4.3
- Conduct investigations of information security breaches to identify vulnerabilities and evaluate the damage. · importance 4.2
- Develop or install software, such as firewalls and data encryption programs, to protect sensitive information. · importance 4.1
- Oversee development of plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure or to meet emergency data processing needs. · importance 4.1
- Develop information security standards and best practices. · importance 3.9
- Identify or implement solutions to information security problems. · importance 3.9
- Recommend information security enhancements to management. · importance 3.9
- Oversee performance of risk assessment or execution of system tests to ensure the functioning of data processing activities or security measures. · importance 3.9
- Coordinate vulnerability assessments or analysis of information security systems. · importance 3.8
- Review security assessments for computing environments or check for compliance with cybersecurity standards and regulations. · importance 3.8
- Troubleshoot security and network problems. · importance 3.7
- Coordinate documentation of computer security or emergency measure policies, procedures, or tests. · importance 3.7
- Develop or implement software tools to assist in the detection, prevention, and analysis of security threats. · importance 3.7
- Write reports regarding investigations of information security breaches or network evaluations. · importance 3.7
- Provide technical support to computer users for installation and use of security products. · importance 3.4
Work activities
- Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
- Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
- Coordinate reporting or editing activities.
- Manage information technology projects or system activities.
- Establish work standards.
- Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.
- Develop software or computer applications.
- Install computer software.
- Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.
- Evaluate potential of products, technologies, or resources.
- Implement security measures for computer or information systems.
- Analyze security of systems, network, or data.
- Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
- Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
- Read documents to gather technical information.
- Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
- Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.
- Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
- Supervise information technology personnel.
- Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
- Write reports or evaluations.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
Knowledge
| Computers and Electronics | 4.6 | |
| Engineering and Technology | 4.0 | |
| English Language | 3.5 | |
| Telecommunications | 3.4 | |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.0 | |
| Design | 2.9 |
Essential skills
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Writing | 3.6 | |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | |
| Speaking | 3.5 | |
| Active Learning | 3.3 | |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Abilities
| Oral Comprehension | 4.1 | |
| Written Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Oral Expression | 4.0 | |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.8 | |
| Information Ordering | 3.8 | |
| Speech Recognition | 3.8 | |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.6 | |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.6 | |
| Near Vision | 3.6 | |
| Written Expression | 3.5 | |
| Speech Clarity | 3.5 | |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.3 | |
| Selective Attention | 3.3 | |
| Category Flexibility | 3.1 | |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.1 | |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.0 |
Transferable skills
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.4 | |
| Systems Analysis | 3.4 | |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.4 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 | |
| Instructing | 3.1 | |
| Programming | 3.1 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
Skills in demand
Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.
Showing the top 40 of 59.
Tools & technology
Showing the top 40 of 90.
Work context
How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.
How to get in
- Job zone
- Zone 4 — Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement
- Related experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Preparation level
- SVP (7.0 to < 8.0) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.
What to study: Biological and Biomedical Sciences , Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services , Health Professions and Related Programs , Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services , Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies , Physical Sciences . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.
Education of current workers
Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.
| Bachelor's Degree | 47.4% | |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 15.8% | |
| Some College Courses | 10.5% | |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 10.5% | |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5.3% | |
| High School Diploma | 5.3% | |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 5.3% |
Interests & work styles
The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.
Work styles
| Dependability | 10.0 | |
| Attention to Detail | 9.0 | |
| Integrity | 8.0 | |
| Cautiousness | 7.0 | |
| Intellectual Curiosity | 6.0 | |
| Achievement Orientation | 5.0 | |
| Stress Tolerance | 4.0 | |
| Adaptability | 3.0 |
Interest areas
| Information Technology | 6.6 | |
| Engineering | 4.1 | |
| Mechanics/Electronics | 3.4 | |
| Protective Service | 3.0 | |
| Mathematics/Statistics | 2.7 |
Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)
| Conventional | 6.1 | |
| Investigative | 5.5 | |
| Realistic | 4.3 |
Wages & employment
U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)
| 10th percentile | $52,650 |
| 25th percentile | $76,360 |
| Median (50th) | $108,970 |
| 75th percentile | $147,530 |
| 90th percentile | $176,800 |
| People employed | 439,380 |
Wages and employment are reported by BLS for the broader occupation group this specialty belongs to (SOC 15-1299), not for the specialty alone.
Industries that employ this occupation
Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.
| Industry | Workers | National median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 130,160 | $106,200 |
| Information · Sector | 43,000 | $126,550 |
| Finance and Insurance · Sector | 28,690 | $126,080 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 25,660 | $127,600 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector | 24,880 | $96,000 |
| Manufacturing · Sector | 21,020 | $102,950 |
| Educational Services · Sector | 18,100 | $79,900 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 13,460 | $95,780 |
| Wholesale Trade · Sector | 13,130 | $100,550 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance · Sector | 11,030 | $83,320 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 9,590 | $108,370 |
| Transportation and Warehousing · Sector | 7,000 | $65,350 |
Where this work is most concentrated
Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).
| Industry | Concentration | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities · National industry | 7.16× | 1,240 |
| Information · Sector | 5.19× | 43,000 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 4.24× | 130,160 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 3.21× | 25,660 |
| Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers · National industry | 3.02× | 3,860 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 2.91× | 9,590 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 1.78× | 13,460 |
| Finance and Insurance · Sector | 1.62× | 28,690 |
Related occupations
Part of the Digital Technology and Public Service & Safety career clusters.
- Penetration Testers · 15-1299.04 Compare →
- Information Security Analysts · 15-1212.00 Compare →
- Security Management Specialists · 13-1199.07 Compare →
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators · 15-1244.00 Compare →
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects · 15-1299.08 Compare →
- Security Managers · 11-3013.01 Compare →
- Computer Network Support Specialists · 15-1231.00 Compare →
- Computer Systems Analysts · 15-1211.00 Compare →
- Computer Network Architects · 15-1241.00 Compare →
- Database Administrators · 15-1242.00 Compare →
- Digital Forensics Analysts · 15-1299.06 Compare →
- Blockchain Engineers · 15-1299.07 Compare →
Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.
What you can do with this
Options the data surfaces for Information Security Engineers — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.
Skills that travel
Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.
Adjacent roles
Occupations O*NET rates as related — the nearby moves on the map.
Paths in
How people typically prepare for this work.
- Bachelor's degree · typical entry level
- Job zone 4 — Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed · preparation tier
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences · field of study
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services · field of study
Zoom out
See where this work sits in the bigger picture.
Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation
Information Security Engineers show 97th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 31,300 annual U.S. openings
- Information Security Engineers rank in the 97th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
- The occupation is projected to see about 31,300 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- BLS projects employment to be growing fast (+8.2%) from 2024 to 2034.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- Median annual pay is $108,970, across about 439,380 U.S. workers.BLS OEWS (May 2024)
Copy the whole kit
Information Security Engineers show 97th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 31,300 annual U.S. openings • Information Security Engineers rank in the 97th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE) • The occupation is projected to see about 31,300 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • BLS projects employment to be growing fast (+8.2%) from 2024 to 2034. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • Median annual pay is $108,970, across about 439,380 U.S. workers. (BLS OEWS (May 2024)) Source: Singulariki — "Information Security Engineers". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1299-05 Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom
Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Plain
Singulariki. "Information Security Engineers." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1299-05
APA
Singulariki. (2026). Information Security Engineers. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1299-05
BibTeX
@misc{singulariki-role-15-1299-05,
title = {Information Security Engineers},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1299-05}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.