Security Risk Consultant

Career Guide
Security Risk Consultants help organizations identify, assess, and reduce risks to their information and operations. They evaluate controls, map risks to standards, and advise leaders on remediation and compliance, translating technical issues into business impact.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct enterprise and third‑party security risk assessments using NIST CSF/ISO 27001
  • Map risks to regulatory obligations (SOX, HIPAA, PCI DSS) and internal policies
  • Develop risk treatment plans, control requirements, and remediation roadmaps
  • Build and maintain risk registers and dashboards; quantify risk where feasible
  • Facilitate workshops with stakeholders; present findings and recommendations
  • Support audits and certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2) with evidence collection

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Senior Security Risk Consultant
Security/GRC Manager
Cyber Risk Director
Transition Opportunities
IT Audit Manager
Third‑Party Risk Manager
Privacy/GDPR Consultant
Business Continuity/Resilience Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
Hands‑on application of NIST CSF/ISO 27001 in formal assessmentsDesigning and testing security controls mapped to SOC 2/CIS ControlsBuilding and maintaining risk registers with clear scoring and ownershipRisk quantification (FAIR) and business‑impact modelingUsing GRC tools (Archer, ServiceNow IRM, OneTrust)
Development SuggestionsComplete an ISO 27001 Lead Implementer course and a FAIR intro workshop; then perform a scoped NIST CSF gap assessment for a nonprofit or small business and build a sample risk register using a GRC tool or spreadsheet.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry Level$70,000-$90,000
Mid Level$95,000-$130,000
Senior Level$135,000-$180,000
Growth Trend
growing - Breaches, regulations, and third‑party risk keep demand high.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
DeloittePwCKPMG
Industry Sectors
Consulting & Professional ServicesFinancial ServicesTechnology

Recommended Next Steps

1
Earn a recognized credential: CRISC or CISSP plus ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor.
2
Build a portfolio by conducting a NIST CSF or ISO 27001 gap assessment for a small org and publish a redacted report with a risk register and treatment plan.
3
Join ISACA/ISC2 local chapters, attend meetings, and request shadow opportunities with risk teams or consulting practices.