Modern organizations face security threats from all sides, so professionals seeking to enter the security field must be aware of how to protect their systems, facilities, and data effectively. Prospective professionals should understand the main areas of security, including national and international security, homeland security, and intelligence. This infographic breaks down the different types of security, their functions, and potential careers in each sector.
National and International Security
National and international security involve measures that nations take to protect their people, land, and infrastructure from threats.
National security involves protecting a nation from potential external threats such as warfare, terrorist activity, and other types of attacks.
International security may include collaboration between nations. It also involves protection from military threats, supply chain vulnerabilities, and state conflicts.
Careers in national and international security include:
Policy Analyst
Policy analysts work to implement or amend public policies. Their responsibilities may include:
Developing new policies
Evaluating and adjusting existing policies
Lobbying for policy changes
Policy analysts may work in governmental or nongovernmental organizations, and they may specialize in specific areas, such as climate policy. The average annual salary for policy analysts was $66,660 as of June 2025,
according to Payscale
.
Foreign Affairs Analyst
Foreign affairs analysts, also known as international policy analysts, examine policies and legislation related to international affairs. Their responsibilities may include:
Researching and assessing trade policies and international relations
Reporting findings to other relevant stakeholders
Recommending changes to programs and policies
These professionals may work in governmental organizations, humanitarian agencies, or corporations. The average annual salary for foreign affairs analysts was $97,450 as of June 2025,
according to ZipRecruiter
.
Counterterrorism Analyst
Counterterrorism analysts assess intelligence to identify and prevent potential terrorist threats. Their responsibilities may include:
Monitoring risk activity
Reporting potential terrorism threats to government agencies
Using data to track threats and develop security measures
The average annual salary for counterterrorism analysts was $73,260 as of July 2025,
according to ZipRecruiter
.
Homeland Security
Homeland security protects the United States from various threats, both internal and external, by:
Protecting the economy
Protecting U.S. borders
Protecting from threats to homeland security
Protecting from natural and human-made disasters
Careers in homeland security include:
Homeland Security Officer
Homeland security officers implement policies and regulations that protect U.S. security. Their responsibilities may include:
Monitoring intelligence reports to catch potential threats
Conducting security assessments and making recommendations to law enforcement agencies
Enforcing relevant security protocols and conducting investigations as needed
The average annual salary for homeland security officers was $98,000 as of June 2025,
according to Payscale
.
Federal Law Enforcement Agent
Federal law enforcement agents uphold national safety and protect U.S. citizens from internal and external threats. Their responsibilities may include:
Investigating criminal activities, such as drug trafficking
Maintaining border security
Undertaking fieldwork, such as patrolling
These professionals may work for various government agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the FBI. The average annual salary for federal law enforcement agents was $84,000 as of July 2025,
according to Payscale
.
Emergency Management Director
Emergency management directors work on procedures to protect communities from disasters. Their responsibilities may include:
Preparing plans to prevent and mitigate natural and human-made disasters
Analyzing damage and preparing reports for relevant stakeholders
Intelligence is information related to threats to U.S. security. It can be gathered within or outside the United States, and may include insights into potential dangers such as:
Proliferation of weapons and related technology
Weapons of mass destruction
Threats to people and property
Careers in intelligence include:
Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts review and interpret information to mitigate potential threats. Potential career paths and focus areas may include:
Threat analysis
Collection management
Domain analysis
Targeting analysis
Reports officer
The average annual salary for intelligence analysts was $82,570 as of July 2025,
according to Payscale
.
Open-Source Intelligence Specialist
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) specialists gather and analyze publicly available data to gain intelligence insights and improve decision-making related to security. The types of intelligence OSINT specialists may focus on include the following:
Corporate intelligence
Fraud
Geolocation
Social media
Finance
Big data
The average annual salary for OSINT specialists was $86,000 as of July 2025,
according to Payscale
.
Protect Organizations and Communities
People, organizations, governments, and nations all benefit from robust, multifaceted security networks. Each entity is essential to protecting public safety, and professionals who earn security studies degrees can decide which area to focus on. Whether national or international security, homeland security, or intelligence, each type of security plays a role in identifying, preventing, and mitigating potential threats.
