Despite Economy, Security Salaries Are On The Rise

At a time when most companies' incentive plans consist of "you get to keep your job," most IT security staffers are still in the enviable position of receiving salary raises.

According to early data from a forthcoming study being prepared by (ISC)2, 56 percent of security professionals in the U.K. received a salary increase in the past 12 months.

The average salary for the 566 permanent employees participating in the study was more than $80,000, while 63 percent earned more than $75,000. Nearly half (47.5 percent) said they also received bonuses, most totaling $15,000 or more. Many also said they received benefits packages that significantly increased their compensation.

"Despite the doom and gloom of the economic situation, security continues to be highly valued as a profession, and they continue to be paid well," says Iain Sutherland, founder of Information Security Solutions. "We are also seeing a significant number of people in senior roles -- risk consultants and above -- with team management responsibility. The operational and administrative roles that used to be considered specialist to information security appear to be moving into IT."

Day rates for contractors ranged from $150 to $1,750, with an average rate of $822. None of the contractor respondents had more than 40 unpaid days off in the past year, and (ISC)2 officials told reporters that many of the contractors who were laid off earlier in the year have been rehired.

A full analysis of the survey data is expected to be available at www.InformationSecuritySolutions.com in May, officials say.

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