Passive Income Ideas For Information Security Analysts [2024]

Updated: September 21st, 2024

Interested in earning passive income as a information security analyst in 2024?

We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a information security analyst today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.

For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a information security analyst.

Here's the full list:

1. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)

As an information security analyst, you could leverage your expertise to create a highly secure and reliable email marketing tool, which is a software application designed to help businesses manage and automate their email campaigns. Given your knowledge in securing information and safeguarding data, you could ensure that your email tool stands out by offering top-notch security features, making it particularly attractive to companies concerned about data breaches and compliance issues.

The email marketing industry is rapidly growing, with the global market size projected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028. This presents a tremendous opportunity for you to create a product that not only generates passive income but also serves a genuine need in the market. By starting an email marketing tool business, you could tap into a diverse customer base, including entrepreneurs, startups, and real estate agents, who are looking for efficient ways to reach their audiences securely.

Even with minimal initial investment, such as purchasing a domain and hosting account, you could set the foundation for a profitable venture. As businesses continue to prioritize email marketing, your tool could become an essential resource, providing you with a steady stream of passive income while utilizing your existing skills in information security.

How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Built A SEO Tool That's Completely Free For Users [From Lebanon]

H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.

Read by 14,150 founders

2. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)

As an Information Security Analyst, you could leverage your expertise to create online courses on topics like cybersecurity fundamentals, ethical hacking, or how to secure networks and systems. Given the rising concern over data breaches and cyber threats, there's a growing demand for quality training in this field.

Creating an online course would allow you to share your knowledge and earn passive income over time. Once the course is developed and uploaded to an online learning platform, students will enroll and pay for the material, providing you with a steady stream of extra money without continuous effort from you.

How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

Read by 12,038 founders

3. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)

As an Information Security Analyst, starting an AI-based business solution could be a smart way to supplement your income. Given your technical background, you could leverage AI to automate repetitive tasks, optimize data analysis, or enhance cybersecurity measures for businesses, making them more efficient and secure. By focusing on high-impact areas where your expertise lies, such as threat detection or vulnerability assessments, you could offer tailored AI solutions that bring significant value to your clients.

The demand for AI-driven business improvements is rapidly increasing, and with your knowledge, you could position yourself as a leader in this space. User-friendly AI platforms mean you won’t need deep technical skills to get started, just your industry insight to identify key areas for enhancement. This opportunity allows you to innovate while potentially earning passive income from subscriptions or usage-based fees for your AI solutions.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)

How We Launched A $120K/Month Audiobook Publishing Course

Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.

Read by 21,998 founders

4. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)

As an Information Security Analyst, you could leverage your technical skills to develop a lead generation tool that helps businesses find new customers more efficiently. By creating a software application that automates the process of gathering potential customer leads, you can enable businesses to focus more on converting these leads rather than spending endless hours searching for them.

Your tool could integrate with websites, social media, and other digital platforms to capture valuable data such as email addresses, phone numbers, and interests. This provides businesses with high-quality leads, making their marketing efforts more streamlined and effective. Given the increasing demand for efficient lead generation, developing such a tool could be a lucrative way to supplement your income while utilizing your existing expertise in technology and security.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Created A $5M/Year LinkedIn Marketing Automation Tool

Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.

Read by 8,922 founders

5. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)

As an Information Security Analyst, you possess a unique understanding of various security challenges that websites face. If you've identified a common security issue or vulnerability, you could develop a WordPress plugin that addresses this problem. By focusing on creating a plugin that solves a specific need, such as enhancing website security or protecting user data, you can offer a valuable tool that other WordPress users will want to buy.

Selling your plugin on platforms like CodeCanyon, or even on your own blog or website, could turn your technical expertise into a steady stream of passive income. Since many website administrators lack the advanced security knowledge you have, your plugin could become a go-to solution for webmasters looking to secure their sites. This combination of technical skill and entrepreneurial spirit could make starting a WordPress plugin business a worthwhile side hustle.

How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Coded A Website Plugin Making $600 Per Month

Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.

Read by 18,985 founders

6. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)

As an information security analyst, venturing into mobile app development could be a smart way to supplement your income. You have the technical skills to understand software development environments and can leverage your knowledge to create secure and efficient apps. With a clear vision and perhaps some basic coding, or by hiring a skilled developer, you could turn a brilliant idea into a viable product.

Planning the user experience, designing interfaces, and ensuring the app is free from bugs and security vulnerabilities will be some of your primary tasks. Effective marketing will help your app reach a larger audience. The potential for high user engagement means your app could generate substantial passive income over time. The mobile app market is expanding, and with the right approach, you could create an app that benefits many and brings in extra revenue.

How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Started A $6M/Year Bachelorette Party App

BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.

Read by 11,017 founders

7. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)

As an information security analyst, starting a podcast could be a great way to supplement your income. You could share your insights on the latest cybersecurity threats, best practices for protecting data, and industry trends. This kind of content is highly sought after, and your expertise would attract a dedicated audience interested in staying updated on security matters.

To begin, all you need is some basic recording equipment, like a microphone and headphones, and an affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes. Once your podcast is up and running, you could promote it through social media and online communities. Over time, as your audience grows, you might attract sponsors or advertisers, turning your podcast into a steady source of passive income.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,203 founders

8. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)

Starting a niche website could be a promising way for you as an information security analyst to supplement your income. You could create a specialized site focusing on cybersecurity tips, emerging threats, or even software and tool reviews. By sharing your expertise and insights, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in securing their digital lives.

Monetization options for a niche website are extensive. You could earn money through affiliate marketing by recommending cybersecurity products, placing ads on your site, or selling your own e-books and guides on topics like penetration testing or data protection. With consistent effort and high-quality content, a niche website has the potential to become a reliable source of passive income.

How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Leveraged My LinkedIn Network To Create A $1.8M/Year Procurement Conference

DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.

Read by 3,620 founders

9. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a fantastic way for information security analysts to earn passive income while sharing their expertise. You could create videos that teach viewers about cybersecurity best practices, share insights into the latest security threats, or offer tips on protecting personal information online. This kind of valuable, educational content is in high demand and could attract a substantial audience.

Monetizing your channel would be possible through ad revenue, sponsorships, and even selling cybersecurity-related merchandise. Consistency and high-quality content will be key to building a loyal audience. While it will require effort to plan, shoot, and edit your videos, the potential financial rewards could make it well worth your time.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.

Read by 12,323 founders

10. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)

As an information security analyst, you could leverage your unique expertise to start an affiliate marketing business that targets security products and services. By promoting antivirus software, VPNs, or cybersecurity courses, you could earn commissions from sales generated through your recommendations. This approach not only supplements your income but also allows you to share valuable insights with your audience.

To begin, you could research and find the right products and brands to partner with that align with your know-how. For instance, you could become an affiliate for trusted eCommerce stores or manufacturers offering cybersecurity tools and recommend these to your network. Over time, as people make purchases through your links, you could build a consistent stream of passive income.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read by 24,636 founders

11. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)

As an information security analyst, you could leverage your technical expertise to start a social media automation business, helping clients manage their social media accounts efficiently. By creating tools and services that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data, you could drive engagement and growth for small businesses and influencers alike.

Given the increasing demand for consistent social media activity, your skills in software development and data analysis could be invaluable. This side hustle would not only diversify your income streams but also allow you to stay updated on social media trends and build rewarding client relationships.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped A Social Media Automation Tool To $2MM/Year

MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.

Read by 15,250 founders

12. Make passive income with a web scraping API ($34.2K/month)

As an information security analyst, you could leverage your technical skills to develop a web scraping API, which could serve as a valuable tool for businesses needing automated data collection. By creating a service that efficiently extracts data from websites, you could help companies gather market research, analyze competitors, or aggregate content, all of which are crucial for their strategic decision-making.

Your background in security will be a significant advantage, as ensuring the API's reliability and safety from malicious attacks will be paramount. Starting this side venture could open new revenue streams while enabling you to apply your expertise in a dynamic and impactful way. With the growing importance of data in various industries, this endeavor could not only supplement your income but also position you as a key player in the data analytics field.

How much you can make: $50 — $125,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $900 (?)

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

On Building A Travel Recommendations Platform

PlanIt is a travel recommendation and planning platform that has seen compelling growth in database coverage and user growth, covering every country in the world with several thousand users and a large SEO focus as well as a growing interest from travel and lifestyle businesses to list their details.

Read by 4,688 founders

13. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)

As an information security analyst, you could leverage your technical skills and understanding of software to create an AI writing tool as a side business. Given your familiarity with cybersecurity, you could ensure that the tool is safe, secure, and compliant with data protection standards, which is a concern for many users in today's digital age.

This tool could help businesses, bloggers, and students by providing automated, error-free content, making their writing process much faster and more efficient. By developing such a tool, you would not only fill a significant market need but also create a steady stream of passive income. Moreover, maintaining and improving this tool could be a manageable task alongside your primary job, allowing you to slowly build this venture on your own terms.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

I Built A Simple AI Writing Tool That Makes $60K/Year

Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.

Read by 6,766 founders

14. Make passive income with a stock investing business ($30.3K/month)

As an information security analyst, you could start a stock investing business to supplement your income by leveraging your analytical skills. In this venture, you'd be analyzing market trends and making informed decisions about buying and selling stocks. The precision and attention to detail that you apply in your current role can translate well into assessing financial data and executing trades effectively.

Given your background, the transition into stock investing might be smoother because of your familiarity with data analysis and risk management. Educational resources and trading platforms are available to help you gain the necessary knowledge and skills. By dedicating time to understanding market movements and crafting a solid strategy, you could position yourself for long-term growth and potentially high returns.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $160,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

I Launched A $54K/Year Newsletter That Finds Trending Stocks

Ticker Nerd is a monthly subscription service for investors that surfaces and analyzes trending stocks before the hype train arrives, and now has $4.5k in monthly recurring revenue from its newsletter without spending a single dollar on advertising, having validated the business via subreddits and organic Product Hunt launch strategy.

Read by 23,803 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls