Information Security Risk Analyst
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Identify and document security risks across systems, applications, and processes
- Run risk assessments and maintain a risk register
- Evaluate the effectiveness of security controls
- Support security compliance activities and evidence collection
- Review vendor security and third party risk
- Help define and track risk treatment plans
- Create clear risk reports for leaders and project teams
- Support incident lessons learned and update risk ratings
- Partner with IT and engineering teams to embed security in projects
- Monitor changes in threats and adjust risk priorities
Top Skills for Success
Risk Assessment
Threat Modeling
Security Controls Evaluation
Governance Risk And Compliance
Policy Writing
Vendor Risk Management
Incident Analysis
Data Protection
Cloud Security Fundamentals
Network Security Fundamentals
Communication
Stakeholder Management
Analytical Thinking
Documentation
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Security Risk Manager
Governance Risk And Compliance Manager
Third Party Risk Manager
Security Program Manager
Security Controls Assurance Lead
Transition Opportunities
Security Analyst
Security Engineer
Cloud Security Specialist
Security Architect
Product Security Analyst
Privacy Analyst
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Risk QuantificationCloud Risk AssessmentVendor Due DiligenceControl TestingSecurity MetricsExecutive ReportingData ClassificationIdentity And Access Management FundamentalsVulnerability Management Fundamentals
Development SuggestionsBuild a repeatable risk assessment method, practice writing concise risk statements with business impact, and learn how to test controls using evidence. Strengthen cloud and vendor risk skills through hands on reviews of real architectures and supplier questionnaires. Create simple dashboards and brief reports that leaders can act on.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry Level$70,000 to $95,000
Mid Level$95,000 to $130,000
Senior Level$130,000 to $170,000
Growth Trend
Strong demand. Hiring remains steady as organizations expand security programs, strengthen vendor oversight, and respond to increasing regulatory and customer expectations.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
AccentureDeloittePwCKPMGErnst And YoungAmazonMicrosoftGoogleJPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaWells FargoUnitedHealth GroupCVS HealthWalmartTarget
Industry Sectors
Financial ServicesHealthcareTechnologyRetail And EcommerceInsuranceGovernmentEnergyTelecommunicationsProfessional Services
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a sample risk register with clear risk statements, impact, likelihood, and planned mitigations2
Learn a common security framework and map controls to it3
Practice writing one page risk summaries for non technical leaders4
Partner with IT teams to perform a control review and collect evidence5
Gain exposure to vendor assessments by reviewing a supplier security questionnaire6
Build basic cloud knowledge and perform a cloud risk assessment on a sample environment7
Prepare for an entry level security certification aligned with risk and governance8
Track and present a small set of security risk metrics to stakeholders