As a security manager, your resume challenge is effectively showcasing the breadth of your expertise from threat assessment to crisis management within a concise format. Our guide provides tailored strategies to help you distill your extensive experience into compelling, impactful bullet points that will catch an employer's attention.
- Sample industry-leading examples to learn how to write your best resume yet.
- Improve the experience, education, and achievements section of your resume with insights from resume-writing professionals.
- Curate your technical expertise and personality to stand out amongst the pool of candidates.
- Succinctly focus on your unique skill set all through your security manager resume.
If the security manager resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:
The ultimate formula for your security manager resume format
Our best advice on how to style your security manager resume is this - first, take the time to study the job advert requirements.
The resume format you select should ultimately help you better align how your experience matches the specific role.
There are four crucial elements you need to thus take into consideration:
- How you present your experience. If you happen to have plenty of relevant expertise, select the reverse-chronological resume format to organize your experience by dates, starting with the latest.
- Don't go over the top with writing your resume. Instead, stick with a maximum of two-page format to feature what matters most about your profile.
- Headers aren't just for "decoration". The header of your resume helps recruiters allocate your contact details, portfolio, and so much more.
- The PDF format rules. It's the most common practice to submit your security manager resume as a PDF so that your resume doesn't lose its layout. However, make sure the read the job well - in some instances, they might require a doc file.
Each market has its own resume standards – a Canadian resume layout may differ, for example.
Upload & Check Your Resume
Drop your resume here or choose a file. PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
PRO TIP
If the certificate you've obtained is especially vital for the industry or company, include it as part of your name within the resume headline.
Essential sections that should make up your security manager resume include:
- The header - with your contact details (e.g. email and telephone number), link to your portfolio, and headline
- The summary (or objective) - to spotlight the peaks of your professional career, so far
- The experience section - with up to six bullets per role to detail specific outcomes
- The skills list - to provide a healthy mix between your personal and professional talents
- The education and certification - showing your most relevant degrees and certificates to the security manager role
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proven experience with risk assessment, security audits, and developing security policies and protocols
- In-depth knowledge of security systems, including surveillance, access control, and alarm systems
- Strong understanding of cyber security principles and IT network infrastructure
- Demonstrated ability to lead and train security teams, as well as manage cross-functional crisis response initiatives
- Relevant certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
Adding your relevant experience to your security manager resume
If you're looking for a way to show recruiters that your expertise is credible, look no further than the resume experience section.
Your security manager resume experience can be best curated in a structured, bulleted list detailing the particulars of your career:
- Always integrate metrics of success - what did you actually achieve in the role?
- Scan the security manager advert for your dream role in search of keywords in the job requirements - feature those all through your past/current experience;
- Dedicate a bullet (or two) to spotlight your technical capabilities and how you're able to use the particular software/technology in your day-to-day roles;
- Write simple by including your responsibility, a job advert keyword or skill, and a tangible outcome of your success;
- Use the experience section to also define the unique value of working with you in the form of soft skills, relevant feedback, and the company culture you best thrive in.
Industry leaders always ensure that their resume experience section offers an enticing glimpse at their expertise, while telling a career narrative. Explore these sample security manager resumes on how to best create your resume experience section.
- Led the development and implementation of a comprehensive security program for a major tech corporation, increasing cybersecurity measures by 40%.
- Coordinated with federal law enforcement on cyber threat mitigation strategies, achieving a 25% decrease in security breaches.
- Managed security budget effectively, resulting in a cost reduction of 15% through streamlined operations and the adoption of new technologies.
- Revamped the access control protocols for a leading financial institution, with an emphasis on biometric systems which reduced unauthorized access by 30%.
- Directed a team of 50 security professionals, ensuring adherence to complex regulatory compliance standards.
- Spearheaded a security system upgrade across multiple branches, enhancing surveillance and incident response capabilities.
- Designed and executed a security operations center (SOC) for a multinational retail enterprise, improving incident detection time by 35%.
- Developed a loss prevention strategy that reduced shrinkage rates by nearly 20% across the retail network.
- Led the response to a significant data breach, coordinating the recovery process and minimizing brand reputation impact.
- Oversaw the transition to a cloud-based security infrastructure for a software company, bolstering defense against cyber-attacks.
- Implemented a rigorous security training program for all employees, leading to a 50% reduction in internal security violations.
- Collaborated with product development teams to ensure built-in security features for new software releases.
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments for a global logistics company, resulting in a 60% enhancement in supply chain security measures.
- Negotiated and managed contracts with third-party security service providers, improving overall service quality and performance.
- Facilitated joint security initiatives with industry partners to address common threats and vulnerabilities.
- Authored the emergency response plans for an energy corporation, which were activated during three major incidents with no loss of life.
- Leveraged analytics to monitor and analyze security incident trends, deploying proactive measures that decreased incidents by 22%.
- Optimized physical security resources across multiple sites, which involved upgrading to AI-driven surveillance systems.
- Implemented a new visitor management system for a biotechnology firm, which improved oversight of on-site personnel by 45%.
- Collaborated closely with R&D departments to secure sensitive information and key biological assets.
- Conducted security and crisis management training for over 300 employees, significantly enhancing preparedness levels.
- Redesigned the in-store surveillance systems for a national retail chain, resulting in a 33% reduction in theft-related losses.
- Developed a cybersecurity initiative that prevented over 100 potential intrusions within the first year of operation.
- Established a cross-functional security committee to align departmental policies with organizational security goals.
- Upgraded and standardized security protocols across all data centers for a web services company, achieving 99.99% network uptime due to enhanced security measures.
- Conducted thorough investigations into network anomalies, effectively identifying and resolving two insider threat incidents.
- Devised a comprehensive business continuity plan to ensure minimal disruption in the event of security emergencies.
- Instrumental in creating a counter-surveillance program for a private security firm's VIP clients, markedly increasing client satisfaction and retention.
- Trained and led a squad of security specialists responsible for the protection of high-profile executives during international travel.
- Innovated an early warning system for security threats using social media analysis, reducing potential incident exposure by 40%.
The following content includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top responsibilities present on the task lists for security manager professionals.
Top Responsibilities for Security Manager:
- Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement through auditing, review, or assessment.
- Assess risks to mitigate potential consequences of incidents and develop a plan to respond to incidents.
- Attend meetings, professional seminars, or conferences to keep abreast of changes in executive legislative directives or new technologies impacting security operations.
- Communicate security status, updates, and actual or potential problems, using established protocols.
- Conduct physical examinations of property to ensure compliance with security policies and regulations.
- Conduct threat or vulnerability analyses to determine probable frequency, criticality, consequence, or severity of natural or man-made disasters or criminal activity on the organization's profitability or delivery of products or services.
- Coordinate security operations or activities with public law enforcement, fire and other agencies.
- Create or implement security standards, policies, and procedures.
- Develop budgets for security operations.
- Develop or manage investigation programs, including collection and preservation of video and notes of surveillance processes or investigative interviews.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Include the number of security personnel you have managed or led to demonstrate leadership scale.
- State the size of the area or number of assets you were responsible for securing to show scope of responsibility.
- Mention specific percentages by which you reduced security incidents through implemented measures to showcase effectiveness.
- List the dollar value of property or resources you protected to reflect the trust placed in your oversight.
- Quantify any improvements in security response time under your management to highlight efficiency gains.
- Detail the number of security policies or protocols you have developed and implemented to display initiative.
- Present the training hours you provided or organized for teams to convey commitment to development.
- Record the percentage reduction in costs achieved through security strategies or budget optimization for financial impact.
Action verbs for your security manager resume
Four quick steps for candidates with no resume experience
Those with less or no relevant experience could also make a good impression on recruiters by:
- Taking the time to actually understand what matters most to the role and featuring this within key sections of their resume
- Investing resume space into defining what makes them a valuable candidate with transferrable skills and personality
- Using the resume objective to showcase their personal vision for growth within the company
- Heavily featuring their technical alignment with relevant certifications, education, and skills.
Remember that your resume is about aligning your profile to that of the ideal candidate.
The more prominently you can demonstrate how you answer job requirements, the more likely you'd be called in for an interview.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If the certificate you've obtained is especially vital for the industry or company, include it as part of your name within the resume headline.
Security manager resume skills: the essential hard skills and soft skills checklist
Ultimately, your security manager resume should hint to recruiters that you possess an array of talents that are indispensable to the role.
For example, listing the technologies and software you're apt at using (or your hard skills) and how you apply them in your day-to-day responsibilities would ensure you meet the technical requirements of the role.
But is this enough to ensure that you make a good impression on recruiters?
Go a step further by detailing the soft skills or personality traits you've attained thanks to your work and life experience.
The best way to balance hard skills and soft skills on your security manager resume is by:
- Highlighting up to three of your most noteworthy career accomplishments in a separate section.
- Listing at least one hard skill and one soft skill you've used to solve a particular challenge or problem.
- Feature niche skills and technologies that would help you stand out amongst candidates.
- Think back on the social impact your efforts have had towards improving the work environment - were you able to always maintain a professional ethic, while enhancing the team culture? Write about your contribution to the role, department, or organization itself as a metric of success.
The skills section of your resume provides you with plenty of opportunities to detail your technical and personal traits.
All you have to do is select the talents that best fit your application and expertise. Make note of some of the most prominent hard and soft skills across the industry from our list:
Top skills for your security manager resume:
Risk Assessment Tools
Threat Detection Software
Incident Response Platforms
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Access Control Systems
Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems
Encryption Technologies
Vulnerability Assessment Tools
Compliance Management Software
Network Security Protocols
Leadership
Communication
Problem Solving
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Team Collaboration
Decision Making
Time Management
Adaptability
Conflict Resolution
Next, you will find information on the top technologies for security manager professonals from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Top technologies for Security Manager’s resume:
- Incident command system ICS software
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Alarm system software
- Maintenance management software
PRO TIP
If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
Showcase academic background with education and certifications' sections
Listing your education and certifications should be a rudimentary part of your resume writing.
Including your relevant academic background - in the form of your higher education degree and niche-specific certificates - will prove knowledge of the industry.
For your education section:
- Start by including your degree, followed by start and graduation dates, as well as the institution;
- You could include relevant coursework, major/minor , or GPA, only if your've just graduated from college or if this information would further support your application;
- If you have an "ongoing" degree, you can still list it in case you think your diploma can impress recruiters or it's required;
Follow a similar logic for your certifications section by listing the institution, alongside dates you've obtained the certificate. For some of the most recent and relevant industry certificates , check out the next part of our guide:
The top 5 certifications for your security manager resume:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)²
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP) - ASIS International
- Certified Information security manager (CISM) - ISACA
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - ISACA
- Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - ASIS International
The content below includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top associations for security manager professionals.
Top US associations for a Security Manager professional
- ASIS International
- International Organization of Black Security Executives
- American Society of Safety Professionals
- ARMA International
- Association of Threat Assessment Professionals
PRO TIP
The more time and effort you've put into obtaining the relevant certificate, the closer to the top it should be listed. This is especially important for more senior roles and if the company you're applying for is more forward-facing.
Recommended reads:
Choosing between a security manager resume summary or objective
Many may argue that, in recent times, the security manager resume summary or objective has become completely obsolete.
But the reality is different as both of these resume sections provide you with an opportunity to :
- integrate security manager-vital keywords
- showcase your accomplishments
- answer why you're applying for this particular role.
The difference (between the summary and the objective) is that the:
- Resume objective puts your career goals in a more prominent position.
- Resume summary focuses more on career milestones.
We recommend you select the summary if you happen to have plenty of experience you'd like to spotlight from the very start of your security manager resume.
Meanwhile, the objective is ideal for those candidates who'd like to further prove their suitability for the role with their goals and soft skills.
We've featured some industry professional security manager resume samples to the best resume summary and objective structures:
Resume summaries for a security manager job
- Accomplished security manager with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity, dedicated to protecting corporate assets in the financial sector. Expert in threat analysis with a proven track record in reducing breach incidents by 45% through innovative security protocols. Spearheaded the security overhaul for a top-tier bank, significantly enhancing their digital safety landscape.
- Former military officer transitioning to civilian security management, bringing over 15 years of disciplined risk management and strategic planning expertise. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams to success in high-stress environments, with a keen ability to translate complex security concepts into actionable policies, aiming to fortify the infrastructure of a leading technology firm.
- With a strong background in law enforcement and 7 years of commanding a special operations unit, I am now eager to apply my crisis management skills and meticulous attention to detail to a corporate security manager position. My leadership in high-pressure situations and commitment to continuous improvement align well with managing robust security protocols for large-scale events.
- Dynamic professional with 5 years of experience in risk management consulting, ready to leverage my analytical skills and knowledge of regulatory compliance in the role of a security manager. Successfully directed a team to streamline risk assessment processes for a Fortune 500 company, enhancing their risk mitigation strategies while maintaining operational efficiency.
- As a fervent advocate for robust security measures, with an academic background in Cybersecurity and a passion for problem-solving, my goal is to cultivate a secure working environment through vigilant risk assessment and preventative strategies. Eager to contribute a fresh perspective and rapidly adapt to the challenging demands of protecting a growing technology enterprise.
- Seeking to kickstart my career in security management with a vigorous commitment to learning and excellence. With a recent degree in Criminal Justice and certifications in cyber security, I am poised to apply my knowledge of best practices and eagerness to stay ahead of security trends in safeguarding the assets and operations of a forward-thinking organization.
Average salary info by state in the US for security manager professionals
Local salary info for Security Manager.” Source: My Next Move, National Center for O*NET Development. Accessed 10/15/2024
| State | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| US National Average | $102,340 |
| California (CA) | $110,080 |
| Texas (TX) | $100,890 |
| Florida (FL) | $94,500 |
| New York (NY) | $125,720 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | $99,580 |
| Illinois (IL) | $102,250 |
| Ohio (OH) | $95,300 |
| Georgia (GA) | $109,790 |
| North Carolina (NC) | $98,110 |
| Michigan (MI) | $92,310 |
Miscellaneous security manager resume sections for a more personalized approach
Your security manager resume can reflect even more upon your personality and best qualities - that is if you decide on including a couple of additional resume sections to support your application.
Some of the best-accepted industry-wide choices include the:
- Resume projects - getting into the outcomes of your most important work, so far;
- Languages on your resume - detailing your proficiency level;
- Special recognitions - dedicated to your most prominent industry awards;
- Hobbies and interests - defining how you spend your free time.
Key takeaways
At the end of our guide, we'd like to remind you to:
- Invest in a simple, modern resume design that is ATS friendly and keeps your experience organized and legible;
- Avoid just listing your responsibilities in your experience section, but rather focus on quantifiable achievements;
- Always select resume sections that are relevant to the role and can answer job requirements. Sometimes your volunteering experience could bring more value than irrelevant work experience;
- Balance your technical background with your personality traits across various sections of your resume to hint at how much time employers would have to invest in training you and if your profile would be a good cultural fit to the organization;
- Include your academic background (in the form of your relevant higher education degrees and certifications) to show recruiters that you have the technical basics of the industry covered.
Security Manager resume examples
Explore additional security manager resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Role
Airport Manager
In a similar vein, the Airport Manager position has roots in the aviation industry and thus, aviation trends influence airport management significantly. Here are tips to portray your competence accurately when applying for an Airport Manager position:
- Highlight your awareness of key aviation management practices such as emergency operations, regulatory standards, airport planning, and customer service. Reflect these skills in your resume to stay in the running.
- Make sure to stress on any relevant experience regarding airport management operations, paying particular attention to instances where you've contributed towards effective operations.
- Emphasize your background in the aviation industry or any related field and how it has been fundamental to the management of airport operations.
- Don't just enumerate your skills. Illustrate how they have played part in improving the airport's operations and services, by following the 'skills-action-results' approach.
Security Director
The Security Director role is heavily influenced by developments in security and law enforcement. Therefore, trends in this field significantly affect the job itself. Here are some tips to help you apply successfully for this role:
- Knowledge of security management practices is vital. This includes risk assessment, emergency response planning, and security protocols. Have these skills evident in your resume to avoid being filtered out.
- Highlight relevant experience in security management. Show successful instances of planning and executing security protocols.
- Emphasize how your background in security, law enforcement or related fields has added value to the businesses you've worked for.
- Finally, don't just list skills. Exhibit how they directly improved security measures and the overall safety. For instance: 'Reduced security threats by...' or 'Improved company safety following...'. Demonstrate the 'skills-action-results' method.
