Director of Information Security Salary in 2022

Salary details

The average Director of Information Security salary lies between USD 112,618 and USD 252,000 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 24, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Director of Information Security roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Director of Information Security job listings are Compliance, SOC 2 and Privacy. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 11 jobs SOC 2 | 10 jobs Privacy | 9 jobs Incident response | 8 jobs Strategy | 8 jobs GDPR | 8 jobs Cloud | 8 jobs Risk management | 7 jobs Audits | 6 jobs CISSP | 6 jobs CISM | 6 jobs Governance | 6 jobs AWS | 5 jobs Azure | 5 jobs ISO 27001 | 5 jobs CCPA | 5 jobs NIST | 4 jobs Monitoring | 4 jobs Vulnerability management | 3 jobs Vulnerabilities | 3 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Director of Information Security roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Director of Information Security job listings are Career development, Flex hours and Flex vacation. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2022 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 11 jobs Flex hours | 8 jobs Flex vacation | 7 jobs Health care | 7 jobs Team events | 7 jobs Startup environment | 6 jobs 401(k) matching | 5 jobs Equity / stock options | 5 jobs Parental leave | 4 jobs Competitive pay | 4 jobs Insurance | 4 jobs Salary bonus | 3 jobs Home office stipend | 3 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 3 jobs Medical leave | 2 jobs Gear | 1 jobs Yoga | 1 jobs Pet friendly | 1 jobs Flexible spending account | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Director of Information Security typically comprises a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 60% to 80%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly, often between 10% to 30% of the total salary, depending on the company's performance and individual achievements. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger companies or tech-focused industries and can make up 5% to 15% of the total compensation. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from the position of Director of Information Security, consider pursuing roles with greater responsibility, such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Expanding your expertise in emerging areas like cloud security, AI-driven security solutions, or cybersecurity for IoT can also make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles and attending relevant conferences can open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, seeking roles in industries with higher security demands, such as finance or healthcare, can lead to increased compensation.

Educational Requirements

Most Directors of Information Security hold at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree in cybersecurity, information systems, or business administration (MBA) is increasingly preferred, as it provides a deeper understanding of both technical and managerial aspects of the role. Continuous education through workshops and seminars is also beneficial to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in cybersecurity.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the field of information security. Common and beneficial certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). These certifications demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the field. Other valuable certifications might include Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), especially if your role involves cloud security.

Required Experience

Typically, a Director of Information Security is expected to have at least 8 to 10 years of experience in the field of information security or IT, with a significant portion of that time spent in leadership or managerial roles. Experience in developing and implementing security policies, managing security teams, and handling security incidents is crucial. Experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can also be advantageous due to the unique security challenges they present.

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