OVERVIEW
What Is a Risk Manager?
Ìý
A risk manager is an individual familiar with risk management protocols. They help protect company data, analytics, files, and other sensitive information stored online. As a risk manager, you help to mitigate any potential threats to an organization’s digital content. In collaboration with IT technicians and other company representatives, risk managers optimize a company’s programs to provide optimal data protection.
The role of a risk manager is one of severalÌýcareers that require a master’s degree in cybersecurity. In addition, risk managers typically need a few years of experience in the cybersecurity field, and sometimes need to obtain a few IT certifications.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Risk Manager Do?
Risk managers perform a wide variety of tasks. Whether implementing data protection policies or updating an organization’s online safety protocols, risk managers work hard to keep a company’s data safe.
The responsibilities of a risk manager can include:
- Implementing data protection policiesÌýthat keep all of an organization's data safe and protect against potential cybersecurity breaches.
- Researching the latest developmentsÌýin IT and data privacy.
- Optimizing a company’s online platformsÌýregularly, to keep all programs safe as cybersecurity threats evolve.
- Teaching company representativesÌýhow they can take steps to protect their data.
- Monitoring the efficiency of existing data protection protocols.
- Auditing a company’s cybersecurity structuresÌýto ensure that they offer sufficient protection for a company’s data.
- Providing user-friendly risk management reportsÌýto executives and other interested company representatives.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
What Education Does a Risk Manager Need?
Before you can begin a career as a risk manager, you’ll need to complete a few educational requirements. First, you’ll need to obtain aÌýbachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance, or in a closely-related field.
This undergraduate degree program helps you develop a familiarity with cybersecurity practices including web development, network security, and data management. These and other learned IT fundamentals transition well into a risk management career.
Risk managers also benefit from aÌýmaster’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance. You’ll further develop your understanding of information security and secure network design as you complete all academic requirements for a risk management career.
Best Degrees for a Risk Manager:
Technology
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S.
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree....
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree.
- Time:Ìý60% of graduates finish within 29 months.
- Tuition:Ìý$4425 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program.
Certifications included in this program at no extra cost include:
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
- ITIL® Foundation Certification
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+)
- CompTIA IT Operations Specialist
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional
- CompTIA Network Security Professional
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Project+
- CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Security Analytics Professional
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Secure Systems Analysis & Design
- Data Management
- Web and Cloud Security
- Hacking Countermeasures and Techniques
- Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Technology
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – M.S.
Become the authority on keeping infrastructures and information safe....
Become the authority on keeping infrastructures and information safe.
- Time:Ìý63% of graduates finish within 18 months.
- Tuition:Ìý$4925 per 6-month term.
- Courses:Ìý11 total courses in this program.
Certifications in this program at no additional cost include:
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) Optional Voucher
- ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Optional Voucher
- (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Cybersecurity Strategy
- Information Assurance
- Incident Response
- Penetration Testing
The curriculum is closely aligned with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Workforce Framework. The program was designed in collaboration with national intelligence organizations and IT industry leaders, ensuring you'll learn emerging technologies and best practices in security governance.
Technology
Cloud and Network Engineering – B.S.
Launch your career in designing, securing, and optimizing complex networks....
Launch your career in designing, securing, and optimizing complex networks.
Students choose between four unique specializations within this program. These spcializations prepare students to work with different software systems and processes in their careers.
Specializations in this program include: General, Cisco, AWS, and Azure.
- Time:Ìý61% of graduates finish similar programs within 36 months.
- Tuition:Ìý$3925 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 34 or 37 courses in this program depending on focus area
This program also includes third-party certifications that will help you boost your résumé and be prepared for career success. Certifications available in all specializations include:
- CompTIA A+
- Linux Essentials - LPI
- ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
How Much Does a Risk Manager Make?
$130,635
According to (as of September 1, 2025), the average annual salary for a Risk Manager in the U.S. is $130,635 — about $130,635 per year. Salaries typically range from $110,535 (10th percentile) to $152,779 (90th percentile), with the middle 50% earning between $120,114 (25th) and $142,226 (75th).
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
17%
According to , employment for Risk Managers is projected to grow by approximately 17% between 2018 and 2028, translating to about 123,100 new jobs over that decade—indicating strong demand for the role.Ìý
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Risk Manager Need?
Between auditing company platforms and implementing cybersecurity protocols, risk managers need a variety of IT skills. Used well, the IT skill set of a risk manager can help secure an organization’s data.
The individual skills that a risk manager needs can include:
- Risk assessment.ÌýThe ability to review a company’s online platforms, programs, databases, web applications, and cloud-based applications to identify and eliminate any potential data security concerns.
- Auditing.ÌýThe ability to review an organization’s current data protection measures, helping them identify opportunities to keep their information even more secure.
- Cybersecurity.ÌýThe ability to implement proven IT strategies that mitigate potential risks to a company’s sensitive information.
- Technological proficiency.ÌýThe ability to operate all devices, online platforms, databases, and cloud services required in a risk management position.
- Interpersonal communication.ÌýThe ability to correspond effectively with all IT department staff members and company representatives.
- Problem-solving.ÌýThe ability to troubleshoot and overcome any potential issues that a company’s platforms might face.
- Data analysis.ÌýThe ability to collect and assess a company’s data sets to identify trends that can improve a company’s operations.
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