Common CISM job titles and career paths in 2025

Professionals who earn ISACA's Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification open doors to numerous career opportunities in security leadership roles. CISM holders are significantly more likely to secure senior positions with increased responsibility, better benefits and higher remuneration. This prestigious credential validates expertise in information security management and makes CISM-certified professionals highly sought-after across industries.

Becoming CISM certified requires passing the CISM exam and meeting specific CISM certification requirements, including accruing relevant work experience and maintaining continuing professional education. This process is demanding because candidates must consistently update their knowledge through ongoing study and training. The certification ensures that professionals stay current with emerging technologies and trends in information security management. For these reasons, CISM is one of the most valuable certifications for information security professionals looking to advance their careers.

$150,040 average salary

ISACA CISM is one of the industry's highest-paying cybersecurity certifications. Take your information security management career to new heights and enroll now to claim your Exam Pass Guarantee!

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What kind of jobs can I get with the CISM certification?

The CISM is an advanced certification that creates numerous opportunities for career progression in information security. With this qualification, you can specialize in various security domains while developing essential management skills and security governance expertise. CISM career options span across managerial positions, technical roles, systems auditing, information security risk assessment and security governance functions. This makes CISM an essential credential for security professionals aiming for leadership positions.

The CISM certification is designed for professionals with technical expertise and experience in IS/IT security who want to transition into management. Candidates typically need three to five years of working experience in information security management. The exam validates a candidate's familiarity with security, risk and control practices, as well as the knowledge necessary to perform management tasks effectively.

What are the most common CISM job titles and descriptions?

The CISM equips professionals with versatile skills applicable to both technical and managerial positions, extending all the way to executive leadership. Let's examine some common CISM roles and their responsibilities. Keep in mind that job functions often overlap and may vary by organization.

Information system security officer

As an ISSO, you serve as the primary liaison between departments on system security matters. ISSOs maintain constant communication with system owners, business process owners, chief information security officers, and security managers regarding technical and logistical security challenges. This security leadership role includes key responsibilities such as:

• Web security and encryption implementation
• Security team leadership
• Strategic security planning
• Computer security management
• ISO 27001 compliance oversight
• Cybersecurity program development

Information/privacy risk consultant

This role focuses intensively on security processes and policies. Information and privacy risk consultants identify and mitigate failure points within security systems. The CISM equips professionals with fundamental risk assessment skills crucial for this position. Documentation and policy compliance constitute significant aspects of these risk management careers. Key CISM job responsibilities in this role include:

• Information security program development
• Comprehensive risk assessment
• Threat analysis and vulnerability management
• Privacy impact assessments
• Organizational privacy reviews and compliance

Information security manager positions

The information security manager bears primary responsibility for safeguarding an organization's IT infrastructure. This includes ensuring all systems remain secure and verifying that data protection and security policies meet compliance standards. Information security managers must defend against threats like malware attacks, data breaches, and cybercriminal activities. Their responsibilities encompass:

• Security operations management
• IT risk assessment and mitigation
• Penetration testing coordination
• Enterprise application security (including SAP)
• Security data analysis and reporting

CISM career path: Job titles based on experience level

CISM jobs vary widely, but typically represent senior-level or management positions. According to CISM salary information, these roles command competitive compensation. While the CISM credential primarily targets experienced professionals, it can enhance career prospects across various experience levels. Here's a progression of CISM job titles categorized by professional experience.

Entry-level positions:

• Systems analyst
• Security developer
• Security designer trainee
• Security systems trainee
• Security auditor trainee

Earn a $150,040 Salary with an ISACA CISM

The employment of information systems managers is projected to grow 16% by 2031. Get your ISACA CISM to launch into the field — backed with an Exam Pass Guarantee.

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Technical specialists (mid-level technical):

• Security consultant
• Business analyst
• Security product manager
• Security designer
• Information security professional
• Security systems professional
• Security auditor
• Information risk consultant

Technical managers (mid-level managerial):

• Security product manager
• Program manager
• Project manager
• Team leader
• Account sales manager

Expert level (high-level technical):

• Principal IT consultant
• Senior IT systems professional
• Senior IT development engineer
• Senior IT architect
• Senior information security auditor

Manager/director (high-level managerial):

• Operations consulting
• Director of systems development
• Director of infrastructure security
• Director of internal auditing
• Information and privacy risk consultant

Senior executive level (executive C-level):

• Chief information officer
• Chief operating officer
• Chief technology officer
• Chief information security officer
• Chief security architecture officer

Earn a $150,040 Salary with an ISACA CISM

The employment of information systems managers is projected to grow 16% by 2031. Get your ISACA CISM to launch into the field — backed with an Exam Pass Guarantee.

Learn More

Advancing your leadership hierarchy

The CISM certification offers clear benefits for cybersecurity management positions: better compensation, increased responsibility, and comprehensive understanding of information security governance. Professionals who earn their CISM significantly improve their job prospects and position themselves for advancement within their organization's security leadership structure.

It's worth noting that CISM is globally recognized, enabling certified professionals to pursue opportunities worldwide. This creates additional possibilities for those looking to expand their horizons internationally in security director responsibilities.

To maintain your certification, you'll need to meet CISM CPE requirements through continuing education, keeping your skills relevant in this dynamic field.

Want to know more about the CISM certification exam and how it can enhance your security management career? Visit Infosec’s CISM hub.