Where AI can help
AI can assist alert triage, log summaries and report preparation.
Technology · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Information Security Analysts
Assess risks and implement controls to protect systems and information. Investigation and communication matter alongside operating tools.
Observed AI exposure48.6%Anthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection+21%2025–2035
Education typically neededBachelor’s degreeBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
- 02
Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- 03
Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- 04
Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
- 05
Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
An example of an output
A risk assessment with evidence, proposed controls and remediation owners.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Security teams and consultancies. Some roles include on-call work and incident response.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$132,510
Median annual pay$129,180
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$75,090
90th percentile$199,850
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025192,900
Projected openings per year14,100
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Determining severity and authorizing system actions require context and accountability.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
In an authorized lab, identify an insecure configuration and document a verifiable fix.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Bachelor’s degree
- Related experience typically needed
- Less than 5 years
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Risk analysisnetworkinginvestigationincident communication
Tools you may encounter
Logs · monitoring tools · access management · labs
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$103,680 Mean annual pay
Network and Computer Systems Administrators ↗
Control knowledge can support IT environment operations.
- What you can carry over
- Networking and access management
- What you would need to learn
- Operations, backups and recovery
What to consider
May involve on-call work and has declining projections. This changes the work, not necessarily the risk.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$75,550 Mean annual pay
Training and Development Specialists ↗
Incident experience can inform security training.
- What you can carry over
- Risk communication
- What you would need to learn
- Facilitation and learning assessment
What to consider
The wage reference differs; technical knowledge needs to become learning objectives.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
In an authorized lab, identify an insecure configuration and document a verifiable fix.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Information Security AnalystsSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 15-1212.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗