Information Security Risk Manager
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Maintain an information security risk register and keep it current
- Run risk assessments for systems, applications, and third parties
- Define risk ratings and ensure scoring is applied consistently
- Recommend risk treatments such as mitigation, acceptance, transfer, or avoidance
- Partner with technology teams to design and track remediation plans
- Report risk trends and key exposures to senior leadership
- Support security policy development and control standards
- Oversee third party security risk reviews and contract security requirements
- Coordinate exception handling and risk acceptance approvals
- Prepare evidence for audits and regulatory reviews
- Help lead tabletop exercises focused on security scenarios
- Monitor changes in the threat landscape and adjust risk priorities
Top Skills for Success
Risk Assessment
Risk Reporting
Risk Prioritization
Control Evaluation
Security Governance
Regulatory Awareness
Third Party Risk Management
Cloud Security Fundamentals
Incident Risk Analysis
Stakeholder Management
Executive Communication
Program Management
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Security Risk Lead
Security Governance Manager
Third Party Security Risk Manager
Security Compliance Manager
Security Program Manager
Transition Opportunities
Director of Information Security
Chief Information Security Officer
Security Architecture Manager
Enterprise Risk Manager
Privacy Risk Manager
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Quantitative Risk AnalysisMetrics DesignControl TestingCloud Risk ModelingThird Party Contract ReviewData ClassificationSecurity Tool FamiliarityAudit Evidence Management
Development SuggestionsBuild a repeatable risk assessment template, practice writing one page risk summaries for executives, and run a quarterly risk review meeting with clear metrics and remediation tracking.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 95,000 to 120,000
Mid LevelUSD 120,000 to 155,000
Senior LevelUSD 155,000 to 200,000
Growth Trend
Strong demand driven by regulatory pressure, cloud adoption, third party risk exposure, and ongoing cyber threats.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
AmazonMicrosoftGoogleAppleIBMAccentureDeloitteJPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaWells FargoUnitedHealth GroupCVS Health
Industry Sectors
Financial ServicesTechnologyHealthcareInsuranceRetailManufacturingTelecommunicationsGovernmentConsultingEnergy
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a sample risk register with scoring, owners, and due dates2
Draft a one page executive risk report using plain language3
Practice a third party risk review workflow and document the steps4
Learn a common security framework and map controls to it5
Build a portfolio case study showing a risk assessment and remediation plan6
Strengthen cloud basics and identify cloud specific risks and controls7
Prepare interview stories focused on impact, prioritization, and communication8
Network with security governance and risk professionals for real examples of risk reporting