All About Security Management Specialists

Position Description Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security, personnel security, and information security. May work in fields such as health care, banking, gaming, security engineering, or manufacturing.

What Do Security Management Specialists Do On a Daily Basis?

• Prepare, maintain, or update security procedures, security system drawings, or related documentation.
• Design security policies, programs, or practices to ensure adequate security relating to asset protection, alarm response, access card use, and other security needs.
• Train personnel in security procedures or use of security equipment.
• Determine the value loss impact and criticality of assets.
• Inspect security design features, installations, or programs to ensure compliance with applicable standards or regulations.
• Review design drawings or technical documents for completeness, correctness, or appropriateness.

Security Management Specialist Skills

Security Management Specialists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Other Security Management Specialist Job Titles

• Consultant
• Physical Security Manager
• Security Engineer
• Security Management Specialist
• Physical Security Specialist

Job Opportunities for Security Management Specialists

There were about 1,023,900 jobs for Security Management Specialist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 90,400 new jobs for Security Management Specialist by 2026. The BLS estimates 104,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Security Management Specialist are Utah, Nevada, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Security Management Specialist

Security Management Specialists make between $38,420 and $123,000 a year.

Security Management Specialists who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Security Management Specialists in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$85,140
Alaska	$82,160
Arizona	$67,670
Arkansas	$59,530
California	$83,470
Colorado	$82,130
Connecticut	$78,120
Delaware	$81,880
District of Columbia	$102,730
Florida	$66,440
Georgia	$75,070
Hawaii	$73,310
Idaho	$67,630
Illinois	$71,780
Indiana	$61,290
Iowa	$65,020
Kansas	$74,520
Kentucky	$66,450
Louisiana	$60,430
Maine	$66,760
Maryland	$91,400
Massachusetts	$85,980
Michigan	$70,410
Minnesota	$71,220
Mississippi	$65,650
Missouri	$73,500
Montana	$66,290
Nebraska	$74,370
Nevada	$71,580
New Hampshire	$70,890
New Jersey	$78,920
New Mexico	$70,340
New York	$83,330
North Carolina	$74,040
North Dakota	$73,010
Ohio	$71,190
Oklahoma	$72,940
Oregon	$68,890
Pennsylvania	$80,910
Rhode Island	$80,380
South Carolina	$69,340
South Dakota	$70,830
Tennessee	$62,330
Texas	$80,140
Utah	$72,100
Vermont	$67,910
Virginia	$88,180
Washington	$77,850
West Virginia	$70,180
Wisconsin	$57,620
Wyoming	$69,740

What Tools & Technology do Security Management Specialists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Security Management Specialists:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• JavaScript
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Web browser software
• Python
• Microsoft Access
• MySQL
• SAP
• Microsoft Windows
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Visio
• Database software
• Structured query language SQL
• Linux
• Ruby
• Microsoft Visual Basic

How to Become a Security Management Specialist

Education needed to be a Security Management Specialist:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Security Management Specialist?

Who Employs Security Management Specialists?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

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More about our data sources and methodologies.