Security Control or Secure Software Assessor
Conducts independent comprehensive assessments of the management, operational, and technical security controls and control enhancements employed within or inherited by an IT system to determine the overall effectiveness of the controls (as defined in NIST 800-37). Analyzes the security of new or existing computer applications, software, or specialized utility programs and provides actionable results.
Annual openings
553
BLS median wage
$135,220
Typical education
Flexible / varies by employer
10-year growth
+19%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
Flexible / varies by employer
Credential requirement
A credential is recommended.
Credential detail
Certifications addressing application vulnerabilities and delivery delays, and secure software concepts, requirements, design, implementation/coding, testing, software acceptance, software deployment, operations, maintenance, disposal supply chain, software acquisition, managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing, configuring basic network infrastructure, mobile device integration, hardware evaluation, operating systems, technical support, authentication, security testing, intrusion detection/prevention, incident response and recovery, attacks and countermeasures, and cryptography.
Experience detail
2+ years experience or apprenticeship assessing software security or information assurance.
Remote work
Some companies (information technology companies for example) and jobs (such as call center support) offer the opportunity for staff to work remotely, including from rural locations. To see if a job offers this opportunity, please review job postings from job banks such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed or ConnectingColorado, and look for key words such as "location independent", "remote", "virtual", "telecommute", "flex" or for companies posting the same job in many locations.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Work style
- With kids/peopleOccasionally
- On a computerOccasionally
- Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
- With your handsOccasionally
Interests it draws on
- Technology
- Cybersecurity
Automation exposure
Low exposure
Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.
A typical day
- Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
- Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
- Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
- Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
- Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.