8/29/2020 How to Become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

All Cyber & Network Security Degree Find Schools

Certi cation
Careers

Home › Cyber Security Careers › How to Become a Chief Information

Security O cer (CISO)

HOW TO BECOME A CHIEF INFORMATION

SECURITY OFFICER (CISO)

A Chief Information Security O cer (CISO) is a security professional who has

reached the pinnacle of the profession. The path to becoming a CISO is not an
easy one, but it is one that you can tackle if you are patient and determined—
and willing to continue to learn.

RESPONSIBILITIES
As a CISO, you will have many responsibilities. Typically,
you will oversee all of the security policies and procedures
for your company. You will need to be current with the
latest trends and technologies in cyber security—including

https://www.cybersecurityeducation.org/careers/chief-information-security-officer/ 1/8
8/29/2020 How to Become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

new software—as well as the best knowledge of how

All Cyber & Network Find Schools
Securityare behaving. Depending
cyber criminals upon the size of
your organization, you might work alongside the chief
information o cer (CIO) who coordinates the general IT
functions of the corporation.

You will need to know how your company's decisions are

made so that you can provide input from a security standpoint. For instance,
certain web browsers might pose security risks or various online tools might
pose a threat. When you are aware of the software workers need to satisfy
business goals, you can factor that into your decisions regarding rewall
technology, network security and database integrity.

CISO VS. CIO

A CISO is chie y concerned with the security of the computer systems and
databases in a corporation. The Chief Information O cer (CIO) on the other
hand, works with the general technical issues that face the company. The CIO
might work with a budget for new desktop computers, or for a new software
upgrade. They might also help coordinate how the IT department operates the
network and installs new hardware.

https://www.cybersecurityeducation.org/careers/chief-information-security-officer/ 2/8
8/29/2020 How to Become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

All Cyber & Network Security Find Schools

The CISO comes into the IT picture with a single focus—security. While they will
need to be fully aware of all the systems in play in their corporation, they will
assess all of those purchases and roll-outs in the context of security. They will
make sure that network upgrades proceed without disabling the necessary
security software. Or, they might know how to best take databases o ine while
the IT department installs new server software.

When the CIO and CISO work in tandem, the business operations of a company
are able to maintain maximum safety and e ciency.

POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS

Here is a six-step possible career and education path projection toward the
goal of becoming a CISO:

https://www.cybersecurityeducation.org/careers/chief-information-security-officer/ 3/8
8/29/2020 How to Become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Step All1 Cyber & Network Security Find Schools

Start as a Programmer/Analyst

Step 2
Get the Education to Become a Security Analyst

Step 3
Get Extra Certi cations and Training

Step 4
Oversee a Security Team

Step 5
Attain an MBA with an IT Security Focus

https://www.cybersecurityeducation.org/careers/chief-information-security-officer/ 4/8
8/29/2020 How to Become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Step All6 Cyber & Network Security Find Schools

Promotion to Chief Information Security O cer

SIMILAR JOBS
The CISO may be the ultimate role to many in the computer security eld, but
there are other similar jobs that carry equivalent status, salary and
responsibility. The CIO position for instance, is highly prized by many in the
corporate world and operates at the same level as a CISO in most corporate
structures. The CIO is more concerned with the day-to-day and long-term
business operations of a company. For example, they might be in charge of
determining what new software should be rolled out to handle the company's
email, word processing and corporate presentations. The CIO would work with
the CISO to ensure that software and installations are secure and will not
compromise the corporation's security in any way.

Note: Some corporations may use the term Chief Security O cer

(CSO), which is virtually the same job as CISO. It's important to
understand however that di erent companies will have their own
unique needs and expectations for a CISO or CSO.

SALARIES
Every corporation organizes its compensation structure di erently, and that is
all the more true at the top. When you seek a CISO position, you will likely
become involved in a lengthy negotiation in which aspects of compensation
such as company cars, moving allowance, health insurance, bonus structure,
stock option plans and base salary will be on the table. Here you can leverage
your education to command the best compensation package possible.

https://www.cybersecurityeducation.org/careers/chief-information-security-officer/ 5/8
8/29/2020 How to Become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

All Cyber & Network Security Find Schools

ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY OF

$135,800
Chief Information Security O cer

UPPER 10% OF THE PROFESSION

$208,000
or more

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' current Occupational Outlook Handbook

states that computer and information systems managers earned a median
annual salary of $135,800, while those in the upper 10 percent of the
profession earned $208,000 or more annually. Keep in mind that many people
who command the higher salaries may also live and work in more expensive

https://www.cybersecurityeducation.org/careers/chief-information-security-officer/ 6/8
8/29/2020 How to Become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

regions, such as the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City or Los Angeles,
which areAll Cyberfor
known & Network Security
higher costs of living. Find Schools

JOB REQUIREMENTS
While it's possible for anyone with a bachelor's degree and a lot of experience
to climb the corporate ladder to the CISO position, more often than not you will
need extra degrees and certi cations. As you progress towards the CISO's
corner o ce, make sure you attain all security certi cations you can. Then you
will need an MBA from a top-ranked program. The need for an MBA increases
along with the status of the particular company you wish to lead, but it will help
you succeed in this more managerial role.

You May Also Like

How to Become a Security Consultant

How to Become an Incident Responder

How to Become a Security Administrator

How to Become a Vulnerability Assessor

How to Become a Cryptographer

How to Become a Security Manager

How to Become a Security Architect

How to Become a Security Analyst

How to Become a Security Auditor

How to Become a Security Director

How to Become a Penetration Tester

How to Become a Forensics Expert

FIND A SCHOOL TODAY

https://www.cybersecurityeducation.org/careers/chief-information-security-officer/ 7/8
8/29/2020 How to Become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll connect you with schools that
All Cyber &oNetwork Security
er cyber Find Schools
security degree programs.

Find Schools

About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Important Information

COVID-19 Update

Program outcomes vary according to each institution's speci c curriculum and

employment opportunities are not guaranteed.
© All Star Directories, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.cybersecurityeducation.org/careers/chief-information-security-officer/ 8/8