Information Security Engineers

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.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Writing
Monitoring
Speaking
Quality Control Analysis
Systems Analysis

Key knowledge

Computers and Electronics
Engineering and Technology
English Language
Telecommunications
Customer and Personal Service
Design
Mathematics
Education and Training

What the work involves

Assess the quality of security controls, using performance indicators.
Conduct investigations of information security breaches to identify vulnerabilities and evaluate the damage.
Coordinate documentation of computer security or emergency measure policies, procedures, or tests.
Coordinate monitoring of networks or systems for security breaches or intrusions.
Coordinate vulnerability assessments or analysis of information security systems.
Develop information security standards and best practices.
Develop or implement software tools to assist in the detection, prevention, and analysis of security threats.
Develop or install software, such as firewalls and data encryption programs, to protect sensitive information.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Conventional, Investigative, Realistic.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (47.4% of respondents)
Related experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years (42.1%)
On-the-job training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months (31.6%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Information Security Engineers is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.
Projection education uses SOC 15-1299 (detailed_parent); it may describe a broader group.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Low	Lower on contact with others than 69% of occupations compared	42% of surveyed respondents chose “Constant contact with others”
Dealing with the public	Low	Lower on dealing with the public than 66% of occupations compared	26% of surveyed respondents chose “Important”
Teamwork	Moderate	Higher on teamwork than 52% of occupations compared	63% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely important”
Freedom to make decisions	Low	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 63% of occupations compared	50% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Moderate	Higher on time pressure than 57% of occupations compared	37% of surveyed respondents chose “Every day”
Conflict situations	Low	Lower on conflict situations than 74% of occupations compared	32% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Moderate	Higher on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 51% of occupations compared	32% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a month or more but not every week”
Consequence of error	Moderate	Higher on consequence of error than 51% of occupations compared	26% of surveyed respondents chose “Serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: moderate
Conflict situations: low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: moderate
Consequence of error: moderate

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions