Chief Security Officer: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

While chief security officers may provide physical protection or emergency management planning at a company,
digital security has become a common concern for today's businesses. In a world of rapidly-developing technology,
chief security officers protect sensitive digital information.
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Job Description
There are different kinds of chief security officers. Some focus on the physical security of a company, school or other
organization's facilities and employees. Others are responsible for digital and information security. In large
corporations, chief security officers may provide both physical and information security. However, given the
increasingly digital nature of society - from business to education to healthcare - the most prevalent type of chief
security officer is the information security type, who is responsible for protecting company and employee information
against unauthorized access. Equivalent titles for this position include chief information officer and chief technology
officer.
Duties
As a company executive, a chief security officer may also be the public spokesperson for all information security-
related company issues. Generally, executives in this position need to prepare and present technical information to
people with varying backgrounds. To strengthen security initiatives, the chief security officer creates and maintains
good channels of communication and support across various departments. This person may also create digital
security management programs and prioritize security initiatives and issues.
One must stay updated about current trends in data management and security threats to design effective data
security systems. A chief security officer might also perform tasks related to risk assessment, crisis management,
personnel safety and facility security.
These workers may also create a security policy education program for employees. Other tasks involve designing
data security that is ideal for a particular industry such as a media company or a particular type of data such as
employee health insurance records.
Requirements
A chief security officer needs at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as business or computing. Often,
candidates with master's degrees are preferred. As with many executive jobs, multiple years of leadership experience
are required. This position typically requires experience managing multiple large teams and designing IT security
solutions. Some positions may require a lengthy general background in IT.
Specific certifications in IT security or particular technological programs may also be necessary. Chief security
officers providing physical security might need a background in law enforcement or criminal justice.
In general, a chief security officer should have excellent communication, persuasion and public-speaking skills. He or
she will need to build relationships quickly and should possess a quick analytical mind and a decisive nature.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer and information systems managers, including chief
security officers, earned a median annual salary of $120,950 as of May 2012. The BLS projects that jobs in this
occupational field will increase 15% from 2012 to 2022.