Cybersecurity professionals are always in high demand in all industries, from banks and retailers to governments. They always need these specialists to protect valuable information.
Cybersecurity analyst comes in various job titles, and today we want to discuss cybersecurity analyst. What are the responsibilities of cybersecurity analysts? What are the educational requirements? What are the career prospects of this profession? Let’s explore right now in this post!
Job Description
A cybersecurity analyst is mainly responsible for protecting a firm’s network and systems from cyber-attacks.
It refers to researching upcoming IT trends, reviewing suspicious activities, making contingency plans, reporting security monitoring, educating the rest of the organization on security measures, and more.
Cybersecurity analysts may also be responsible for performing security controls and threat protection measures. They may sometimes simulate security attacks to identify the existing potential vulnerabilities in their organization.
Hackers are continually using new strategies and tools, so cybersecurity analysts must stay informed about the various developments in their digital weapons.
Roles and Responsibilities
Cybersecurity analysts prepare for and respond to cyber attacks. Although this process might vary between companies, workplaces, and sectors, the general idea remains the same.
The following are some typical cybersecurity analyst responsibilities and roles:
- Researching upcoming trends in security and information technology, staying updated on potential attacks and threats, and coming up with preventive strategies.
- Compiling safety reports, documenting security issues, as well as measuring taken to solve them.
- Providing the most effective data security practices and suggestions for end users and employees.
- Monitoring networks to stay informed of activities occurring within them, identifying any negative activity in incoming code and responding to them accordingly.
- Installing, managing, and updating software on the networks and systems in organizations and ensuring adequate security measures on all of them.
Where does a Cybersecurity Analyst work?
Most cybersecurity analysts work full-time in office settings. They usually work during normal business hours. But these experts might work evenings or weekends if a data breach or an emergency occurs.
Cybersecurity analysts can work for nearly all types of companies but usually find open positions in the following industries:
- Finance
- Health care
- Insurance
- Government
- Education
These professionals often work as part of an IT department team. They may also work for consulting firms and travel to their customers’ places of work.
Education
To land a cybersecurity analyst position, you will need to start by getting a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology, and computer or a related field, such as engineering or math.
According to the Cybersecurity Career Pursuers Study in 2020, more than half of the respondents reported holding computer and information science degrees.
Regarding cybersecurity professionals, about 40% had bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity, and 33% held master’s degrees in cybersecurity.
An extra 8% had doctoral degrees in the field. Respondents in management and more senior-level positions tended to have postgraduate degrees.
Training
Cybersecurity analysts get much of their training via internships, university courses, and work experience.
Most cybersecurity analysts have prior experience in IT positions, such as computer technician, support analyst, and network technician.
You may undergo internships while completing your degrees. Internships will help you get practical experience in your selected field.
During an internship, you can make valuable connections with information technology experts who can help you find jobs once you graduate.
Certifications
Although certifications are optional, they can deliver cybersecurity analysts more job chances and earning potential.
Essential Skills
Cybersecurity analysts need a healthy mix of soft and hard skills to do their jobs. Here are what skills most employers are seeking in candidates.
Transferable Skills
- Writing.
- Research.
- Planning.
- Teamwork.
- Organization.
- Problem-solving.
- Troubleshooting.
- Microsoft Office.
- Attention to detail.
- Communication.
Technical Skills
- Linux.
- Python.
- Cryptography.
- Network security.
- Penetration testing.
- Project management.
- Information assurance.
- Information systems.
- Vulnerability assessment.
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
Essential Tools
As attackers are growing inventive, coming out with effective cybersecurity measures is very difficult. So here is a list of some essential tools to manage many aspects of cybersecurity in organizations.
Penetration Testing Tools
- Metasploit
- Kali Linux
Password auditing and packet sniffers cybersecurity tools
- Tcpdump
- John the Ripper
- Hashcat
- Wireshark
Cybersecurity tools for network defense
- KisMAC
- Aircrack-ng
- Netstumbler
Tools for scanning network vulnerabilities
- Nessus Professional
- Burp Suite
- Paros Proxy
- Nikto
- Nexpose
- Nmap
Encryption cybersecurity tools
- Tor
- KeyPass
- VeraCrypt
Tools for monitoring network security
- OSSEC
- Nagios
- Argus
- P0f
- Splunk
Cybersecurity tools for detecting network intrusions
- GFI LanGuard
- Forcepoint
- Acunetix
Job Outlook
The demand for cybersecurity analysts is high for every organization. The BLS projects a significant 35% growth in jobs for information security analysts from 2021 to 2031, amounting to an additional 19,500 jobs annually.
This demand results from the increasing adoption of cloud services by small and medium-sized organizations. The rise of cyberattacks has also led to a very high need for cybersecurity analysts.
Salary
Cybersecurity analysts can earn $88,422 per year on average, or $42.51 per hour.
Cybersecurity analysts on the lower end of the range, or the bottom 10%, make roughly $66,000 yearly, while the top 10% make $117,000.
Location significantly impacts how much a cybersecurity analyst can expect to make. Cyber security analysts make the most in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and New York.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Job prospects are excellent
- There’s lots of entry-level work
- The upward mobility is good
- The pay is far from modest
- The job is highly portable
- It’s not just for nerds
- Work in any sector
- You’ll always be learning something new
- You’ll be doing something good
- Get highly satisfying and exciting job
Cons
- Job Pressure.
- Lack of Resources.
- The Learning Treadmill Never Stops.
- Some Tasks are Repetitive or Boring.
FAQs
What Are Cybersecurity Job Titles?
There are various cybersecurity job titles and roles. Here are some common cybersecurity job titles:
- Penetration Tester.
- Cryptographer.
- Security Engineer.
- Security Consultant.
- Security Architect.
- Security Manager.
- Cybersecurity Analyst.
- Cybersecurity Specialist.
- Forensic Computer Analyst.
- Information Security Analysts.
- Security Systems Administrator.
- Chief Information Security Officer.
Is It Hard to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst?
Cybersecurity is a hard field. Due to the speed at which technologies and practices in the cybersecurity industry develop and change over time, job seekers must keep up with the newest developments.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Cybersecurity Analyst?
Becoming a cybersecurity analyst may take at least two years if you gain an associate in cybersecurity. But four years is a common timeframe, as getting a bachelor’s degree and an entry-level certification will help you win the hearts of employers.
How to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst?
Cybersecurity analysts spend years getting the education, training, and work experience to succeed. Here are five common steps to becoming a cybersecurity analyst:
Step 1: Get a bachelor’s degree.
In most cases, employers require their candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in a computer field, such as information systems or computer science.
Step 2: Gain experience.
Most employers prefer cybersecurity analysts who have a few years of work experience. So we recommend seeking an internship while gaining your degree.
Once you have graduated, apply for entry-level jobs, such as technical support specialist, computer systems analyst, or desktop support analyst, to develop your experience.
Step 3. Become certified.
Many employers favor candidates who have certification from one of several professional organizations.
You might pick a specialized certificate that can show your skills in a specific area, such as systems auditing and penetration testing.
Those certifications will help your resume stand out during the hiring process.
Step 4: Gain a master’s degree.
If you want to work in an upper-level or management IT position, getting a master’s degree in information systems will help prepare you for the career path.
Those two-year programs deliver a mix of advanced information systems coursework and finance, human resources, marketing, and other business courses.
Step 5: Advance in your career.
If you have a certification, you may need to gain a certain number of continuing education hours yearly to remain certified.
Once you have gained credentials and work experience, you might qualify for higher-paying and more advanced positions, such as IT manager, computer systems administrator, and computer network architect.
What Are the Working Hours of Cybersecurity Analysts?
Their working hours are usually from 35 to 40 hours per week, except on Sundays. They may need to work outside of 9 am until 5 pm depending on their projects or the nature of the work.
Some companies may require these professionals to work shifts, including nights, evenings, and weekends. They may need to work as part of a call-out rota, allowing for quick responses to cyber security incidents.
Part-time work and job sharing aren’t common. But some organizations offer flexible working arrangements.
What Are Cybersecurity Analysts’ Work Environments?
Nearly most industries have undergone a digital revolution. The fact is that all kinds of public agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations are in the market for information security talent.
If you are interested in the role of analyst, it will be easy to find work in:
- Health care.
- Financial institutions.
- Small businesses.
- Charitable foundations.
- Professional services.
- Federal, state, or local government.
- Computer systems or software design
Is Cybersecurity a Good Career?
Cybersecurity is an excellent career to enter since there is a high demand for experts with these skills.
Career Advice
Becoming a cybersecurity analyst can allow you to get high earning potential and strong job security. Like many other highly educated careers, the path to becoming a cybersecurity analyst usually begins with gaining a college degree. You must then get experience in entry-level cybersecurity jobs.
As the cybersecurity field is constantly changing, you should keep up to date with the new practices and technologies by obtaining and maintaining certifications. Those credentials will position you to flourish in this field.
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