How to become a Chief Information Security Officer
Plans, organises, directs, controls and reviews the cyber security strategies, plans and operations in an organisation to ensure compliance with cyber security policy, standards, regulations and legislation.
Main tasks
- Formulates cyber security frameworks to secure an organisation's data and technology systems from threats
- Aligns cyber security initiatives with business objectives
- Reports on the cyber security risk profile, status of systems, security risks and security incidents
- Translates information security risks into operational risks
- Oversees an organisation's response to cyber security incidents, including crisis management
- Contributes to business continuity and disaster recovery plans related to cyber security
Ways in
- University: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $172,120 a year
- About 89,900 people work in this job group now, and about 112,800 are projected by 2035. (+25.5%)
- AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Chief Information Security Officer?
Ways in include: Computing & IT degrees.
How much does a Chief Information Security Officer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $172,120 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Chief Information Security Officer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 26% by 2035, from about 89,900 to about 112,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Chief Information Security Officer?
Usually. 73% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Chief Information Security Officer?
AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04