An information assurance analyst is responsible for conducting vulnerability management activities to assess potential threats. They assist with the identification and mitigation of risk attached to the confidentiality and integrity of information. What does an information assurance analyst do?
What is Information Assurance?
Information assurance deals with the steps taken to protect physical and digital information and all the systems that support that information.
The goal here is to protect the integrity, availability, authenticity, non-repudiation and confidentiality of user data and information systems.
Most organisations and businesses these days deal with sensitive information of some kind. As such, the role of information assurance has grown increasingly important as it provides businesses with the following benefits:
- Better-secured business finances
- Smoother operations
- Preservation of trust of customers and stakeholders
- Threat intelligence
- Business reputation protection and more.
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Is information assurance the same as cyber security?
Not quite. While both are key players in securing a company, information assurance deals with the protection of both physical and digital assets whereas cyber security focuses more on securing networks and their devices.
Responsibilities of an Information Assurance Analyst
An information assurance analyst ensures a business’s information assurance policy is meeting relevant requirements and conducts investigations of security incidents in efforts to reduce incidents and risk.
They assist team members in implementing various cyber operations systems and applications as needed and make sure all operating systems, software, and hardware are protected and compliant with organisation policies.
These analysts perform periodic audits of departmental systems under general supervision and are responsible for delivery of the quarterly risk dashboard and the annual operational risk assessment.
They report any control violation findings through an organisation’s risk management framework or model and make use of audit procedures to determine the design and operating effectiveness of controls.
What are the responsibilities of an information assurance analyst?
- Ensure a business’s information assurance policy is meeting relevant requirements
- Conduct investigations of security incidents in efforts to reduce incidents and risk
- Assist team members in implementing various cyber operations systems and applications
- Ensure all operating systems, software, and hardware are protected and compliant with organisation policies
- Perform periodic audits of departmental systems under general supervision
- Deliver quarterly risk dashboard and the annual operational risk assessment to management
- Report any control violation findings through an organisation’s risk management framework or model
- Ensure audit procedures to determine the design and operating effectiveness of controls
- Perform assessments against organisation policy controls and regulatory control frameworks
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Skills of an Information Assurance Analyst
An information assurance analyst has advanced knowledge of security policies, standards, and practices as well as knowledge of technical security safeguards and operational security measures.
They also have experience conducting technology and cybersecurity risk assessments and have the ability to create risk profiles.
Analysts in this field are organised, have strong problem-solving, analytical, communication, technical and computer skills.
What are the skills of an information assurance analyst?
- Advanced knowledge of security policies, standards, and practices
- Knowledge of technical security safeguards
- Knowledge of operational security measures
- Experience with technology and cybersecurity risk assessments
- Ability to create risk profiles
- Knowledge of Linux
- Knowledge of vulnerability systems like Nessus
- Understanding of network and system architecture
- Strong organisation skills
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Good analytical skills
- Strong communication skills
- Advanced technical and computer skills
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Background and Education
An information assurance analyst must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT or a related field. They must also have a bit of experience and knowledge in information security and specialised skills.
Analysts must also ideally have certifications such as government or regulatory certificates and cloud security certificates. Examples of a few of these certifications are shown below:
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
- CompTIA Security+
- CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Salary of an Information Assurance Analyst
An information assurance analyst earns approximately $123,000 per year on average in the US. On the lower end, analysts can earn around $99,000 whereas on the higher end, they can earn around $154,000.
In Germany, the salary range for these analysts is €21,900 – €66,100 while in the UK, it is £45,200 – £75,000 per year.
Salaries can vary depending on a number of factors such as location, job role, skilset, industry etc.
How much do information assurance analysts make?
| US | $99,000 |
| Germany | $123,000 |
| UK | $154,000 |
How much do freelance information assurance analysts make?
Information Assurance Analysts on freelancermap charge on average:
Rates in the Information Assurance Industry range between $40 and $96/hour for most freelancers.
The daily rate for Information Assurance Analysts (8 working hours) would be around:
Information Assurance Analysts Job Description Template
If you’re in need of an expert who can take care of your organisation’s information security, here’s a useful job description template that will help you find the perfect analyst:
We are seeking an information assurance analyst who can ensure that our information assurance policy is meeting relevant requirements. Your job will be to conduct investigations of security incidents in an effort to reduce incidents and risk.
Responsibilities:
– Assist team members in implementing various cyber operations systems and applications
– Ensure all operating systems, software, and hardware are protected and compliant with organisation policies
– Perform periodic audits of departmental systems under general supervision
– Deliver quarterly risk dashboard and the annual operational risk assessment to management
– Report any control violation findings through an organisation’s risk management framework or model
Skills:
– Advanced knowledge of security policies, standards, and practices
– Knowledge of technical security safeguards
– Knowledge of operational security measures
– Experience with technology and cybersecurity risk assessments
– Ability to create risk profiles
– Knowledge of Linux
– Knowledge of vulnerability systems like Nessus
