Technology · SOC 15-1299.05
Security engineers build defenses against AI-powered attacks — a demand driver that more than offsets routine task automation.
Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
Timeline: AI threat detection platforms are automating signature-based defense, but the growing sophistication of AI-enabled attacks is driving demand for skilled security engineers — net displacement is minimal for 6-8 years.
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$108,970 median pay
$124,910 median pay
$108,970 median pay
$108,970 median pay
$84,000 median pay
$60,340 median pay
Industry pages show which sectors this occupation feeds and the AI companies driving the shift.
AI job-risk card
Information Security Engineers is watch on AIFear. Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Information Security Engineers is 52/100 (Watch). Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
52 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Running automated vulnerability scans with standard tools, Producing security policy documentation templates, Recommending standard security software configurations, Drafting routine security enhancement proposals for management. Harder to automate: Training staff on security culture and behavior change, Designing security tools for novel threat surfaces, Leading incident response with organizational accountability, Overseeing and validating AI-generated security recommendations.
Lean into Cloud security engineering, AI-powered threat detection systems, Zero-trust architecture implementation, DevSecOps practices, Incident response leadership. Consider roles such as Cloud Security Architect or Security Engineering Manager or CISO.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.