Director of Information Security Salary in 2024

Salary details

The average Director of Information Security salary lies between USD 130,000 and USD 202,779 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: Dec. 15, 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, Risk management and CISSP. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 31 jobs Risk management | 22 jobs CISSP | 21 jobs CISM | 20 jobs Incident response | 19 jobs NIST | 19 jobs Strategy | 18 jobs Privacy | 18 jobs Cloud | 18 jobs ISO 27001 | 17 jobs Risk assessment | 16 jobs Governance | 15 jobs Monitoring | 15 jobs Computer Science | 15 jobs SOC | 15 jobs Vulnerabilities | 13 jobs GDPR | 13 jobs SOC 2 | 13 jobs Audits | 12 jobs SaaS | 11 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, Health care and Flex vacation. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 25 jobs Health care | 23 jobs Flex vacation | 18 jobs Equity / stock options | 16 jobs Flex hours | 14 jobs Competitive pay | 14 jobs Startup environment | 12 jobs Team events | 12 jobs Medical leave | 12 jobs Parental leave | 11 jobs Insurance | 11 jobs Wellness | 8 jobs Salary bonus | 7 jobs 401(k) matching | 5 jobs Transparency | 4 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 2 jobs Flexible spending account | 2 jobs Travel | 1 jobs Gear | 1 jobs Home office stipend | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Director of Information Security typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The composition can vary significantly based on region, industry, and company size. In regions with a high cost of living, such as the San Francisco Bay Area or New York City, the base salary might be higher to compensate for living expenses. In contrast, companies in regions with a lower cost of living might offer a more substantial bonus structure to attract talent. Industry also plays a role; for instance, financial services and technology companies often offer higher salaries and bonuses compared to non-profit organizations. Larger companies might provide more comprehensive stock options or profit-sharing plans, while smaller companies might focus on competitive base salaries and bonuses.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further 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 risk management can also make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles and participating in speaking engagements or publishing thought leadership articles can enhance your visibility and reputation, potentially leading to higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, negotiating your compensation package by leveraging offers from other companies can be an effective strategy.

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, such as a Master of Science in Information Security or an MBA with a focus on information systems, is increasingly common and can provide a competitive edge. Advanced degrees demonstrate a deeper understanding of both technical and managerial aspects of information security, which is crucial for leadership roles.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the field of information security and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Common and beneficial certifications include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

These certifications demonstrate a commitment to the field and a comprehensive understanding of security principles and practices.

Required Experience

Typically, a Director of Information Security is expected to have at least 10-15 years of experience in the field, with a significant portion of that time spent in leadership or managerial roles. Experience should include a mix of technical expertise, such as network security, incident response, and vulnerability management, as well as strategic skills like risk assessment, policy development, and team leadership. Experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can also be advantageous due to the unique regulatory and compliance challenges they present.

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