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.

What They Do

Information security engineers protect organizations from cyber threats by designing, building, and maintaining defensive systems. They spend their days monitoring networks for suspicious activity, investigating potential security breaches, and responding quickly when attacks occur. Much of their work involves configuring and updating security tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption protocols to keep data safe from hackers and malware.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Computer Science(masters)Stanford University, CA
$199,761
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$185,150
Information Science/Studies(professional)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$175,482
Computer Science(bachelors)California Institute of Technology, CA
$173,344
Computer Science(bachelors)Carnegie Mellon University, PA
$171,264
Mathematics and Computer Science(bachelors)Harvey Mudd College, CA
$166,573
Computer Science(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$161,851
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Harvard University, MA
$158,673
Medical Illustration and Informatics(doctoral)Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ
$156,890
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(masters)University of Virginia-Main Campus, VA
$156,433
Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Seattle Campus, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)City University of Seattle, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)Central Washington University, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)Washington State University, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)Saint Martin's University, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Bothell Campus, WA
$155,261
Computer Science(bachelors)Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
$154,492
Computer Science(masters)Cornell University, NY
$153,588
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(doctoral)Capella University, MN
$152,737
Computer Science(bachelors)Cornell University, NY
$152,656
Computer Science(bachelors)Harvard University, MA
$152,251
Computer Science(bachelors)Brown University, RI
$151,065
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA
$150,671
Computer Science(bachelors)University of California-Berkeley, CA
$149,866

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