If the idea of stopping cybercriminals from penetrating an organization’s network, hardware and software appeals to you, a role in cyber security analysis is a strong choice for your career path.
In This Article
Role and Responsibilities for the Security Engineer
Security Analysis Skills and Qualifications to Develop
Career Growth and Opportunities in Cyber Security Analysis
If the idea of stopping cybercriminals from penetrating an organization’s network, hardware and software appeals to you, a role in cyber security analysis is a strong choice for your career path. With hacking, malware, and bad actors increasing their activities online to look for vulnerabilities to exploit, cyber security is a growing need for organizations of any size across all sectors of the economy. Security analysts ensure that digital assets remain safeguarded, and in the event of an online attack, they move swiftly to identify the source, stop the breach, and deploy solutions.
To excel in this much needed, growing field, you will need a depth of cybersecurity expertise, along with soft skills such as communication, quick thinking, and sharp analytical abilities so you can act fast and make good decisions when threats occur. Here’s what you need to succeed.
<h2 id="role">Role and Responsibilities for the Security Engineer</h2>
Cybersecurity is an ongoing need with a strong demand for experts. It’s been estimated that as many as 4,000 cyberattacks occur daily, with ransomware attacks occurring several times each minute. These breaches and criminal acts are estimated to cause companies over $10 trillion per year — making it abundantly clear what makes skilled cyber security analysts so sought-after.
As a cybersecurity analyst, you will be responsible for identifying and addressing any security issue that arises for your organization. To do that successfully, you will need a thorough understanding of security protocols in order to:
Monitor and Analyze Security Incidents
Addressing internet security begins with keeping an active eye on all the IT systems of the organization you work for. When you can detect cyber threats before they occur, it will be easier to protect the entire network and keep it from being penetrated by hackers. You will do this through network monitoring, event log analysis, maintaining security information and event management (SIEM) tools, and watching for evidence of security issues. You’ll need to be able to recognize the signs of malware, abnormal activities, and unauthorized access.
Should a security breach occur, the cyber analyst reviews data logs and the fallout of the incident to determine where the security lapse occurred and what made the system (or the people using the system) vulnerable to attack. This process allows you to understand what needs to be done to prevent a reoccurrence, such as using new and stronger security tools, fixing backdoors in coding, and updating internal protocols.
Implement Security Measures
To hinder hacks and breaches, cyber security professionals set up and implement a variety of protective measures. You will help establish how staff, customers, and third parties can interact with the network system, so that proper security activities are clear to everyone. You’ll identify what your company needs in terms of tools that bolster the prevention of black hat hackers.
You’ll also configure various security and computing tools to ensure the system is protected — including password protection, virus software, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability management tools. You will also gather intelligence on cyber threats, staying on top of security needs in real time.
Conduct Security Audits
To effectively prevent cyber threats, you will need to analyze your network’s strengths and weaknesses. You’ll read reports, review data logs, and weigh them to see what’s working properly, as well as potential holes in security may exist. You’ll also run regular tests on your organization’s complete computing network, at all levels, so you can ensure security protocols and tools are running as they should.
This allows you to spot any potential issues and correct them before bad actors can exploit them. Depending on what these audits reveal, you may decide to implement a variety of measures, such as access management procedures, cloud security practices, and other procedures.
Respond to Security Breaches
No network or computing setup is ever 100% secure, and even the most well-designed security approach may be subject to breaches. Should a hack, malware infiltration, or other incident occur, the cyber analyst conducts a thorough investigation to find the root cause of it. You will need to discover the full extent of the problem, gather evidence, and document everything — from investigation to solutions — so that you and the IT security team can learn from it.
You’ll also be responsible for enacting a broad range of protective measures to swiftly and completely restore the system’s security so that the company can continue its normal functions. To make that happen, you’ll need to immediately isolate the affected areas from the rest of the system. Then, you’ll take countermeasures to stop the malicious activities, and repair the system so that it is no longer compromised.
<h2 id="skills">Security Analysis Skills and Qualifications to Develop</h2>
As an experienced cyber professional, the cyber security analyst focuses on safeguarding IT infrastructures and networks by preventing and responding to security threats. To do well in this role, you must have a firm grasp on how cyberattacks occur, how malware functions, and how cybercriminals operate, so that you can anticipate and stop these bad actors in their tracks. You’ll also need strong soft skills so you can effectively work with teams to solve problems and interact with key stakeholders who need to be in-the-know as you resolve issues.
Technical Proficiency
In cyber analysis, tech skills begin with knowing what different tools do and why they’re valuable. Seek to develop a good grasp of the different types of tech tools and techniques at the fingertips of a security analysis, such as web app scanning, security information event management, endpoint detection and response, IDS/IPS, WAF, and vulnerability management. Know how all these elements work together to keep a system secure, and you’ll be ready to master specific tools.
You will need to master a broad range of software, hardware, and other technical skills to maintain the network systems you’re responsible for protecting. Knowledge of a variety of operating systems (Windows, Mac, and Linux) is essential, as is a good understanding of various firewall systems, proxies, SIEMs, VPNs, encryption software, and endpoint protection techniques. Tools that aid in analysis, testing, reporting, and protocol generation are all handy to have skills in, such as Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit, and more. Get to know various antivirus programs and testing arenas to help you do your work.
Analytical Thinking
It takes more than technical tools to stop cyberthreats. You also need a deep and clear understanding of how data security works and why breaches occur. This means having a solid knowledge of how concepts like confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility (also known as the CIA Triad) are essential components of keeping a system secure.
In addition, the cyber analyst role means being able to sift through data to find and address potentially exploitable vulnerabilities, as well as the source of breaches that occur. A sharp attention to detail will equip you to spot small issues before they become a big problem. Critical thinking will be needed to find solutions that are based in accurate and real-time facts.
Communication Skills
While much of your role will involve digging into data, you’ll be doing so in relationship with coworkers in your department as well as cross-functional teams. You’ll report on the results of your testing, confirm compliance with security protocols across the organization, and inform key stakeholders of the latest developments when security events happen. You may be called on to train fellow employees in security protocols — including junior members of your team as well as non-technical personnel from time to time. Being able to communicate clearly, with patience, and calmly under pressure is an advantage.
Additional Skills and Knowledge
In addition to preventing and addressing security threats, it’s beneficial to have related IT knowledge that relates to your field. Understanding how computers, smartphones, and Internet of Things devices can impact security is valuable. You’ll need to grasp how networked systems work, because this is the most common vector for attacks. It also pays to have a love for learning, as you will need to stay updated on constantly evolving technology and infinitely creative cyberhackers and deploy the latest security best practices to protect your organization’s network.
You may or may not have to write code for your specific role, but cybersecurity analysts benefit from understanding how proper coding promotes a secure system. So, a foundational set of skills in coding language such as Python, C, C++, and JavaScript is a distinct advantage when you’re seeking a technology security position.
Certifications in Cyber Security
Expertise in network security and IT is essential in this role. You are, in essence, a certified ethical hacker — someone who spots issues and corrects them rather than exploiting them. To develop that deep knowledge of cyber functions, an analyst typically pursues a bachelor's degree or higher in cybersecurity or a related field.
In addition, there are many certifications you can pursue — and it’s a good idea to do so, because over half of all cybersecurity roles call for a strong level of training to show your expertise in designing and implementing cybersecurity systems, monitoring them and auditing for effective security, as well as detecting, responding, and defending against attacks. Among the certifications you might consider pursuing are:
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
- GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
- Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
- Google Cloud Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
Explore your career path options and browse job descriptions and open roles to see what certifications are the most common and coveted in the area of security where you wish to specialize.
<h2 id="growth">Career Growth and Opportunities in Cyber Security Analysis</h2>
Jobs in the field of information security are projected to grow by 32% — much faster than average — over the next decade. The average salary for cybersecurity analysts is over six figures, around $105,000 and above. And job security is strong in this field, as the need for data protection means that there are more available jobs that security analysts right now. Develop your skill set effectively, and your career path will be wide open.
Career growth is appealing too in this field, because you can start out at a more entry-level, junior cyber analyst role and then move up to more specialized, more senior roles. You can specialize in security engineering and architecture, digital forensics investigation, IT security management, penetration, ethical hacking, incidence response, security consulting, and more. Open roles are available in just about any sector that appeals to you — education, finance, healthcare, government, law enforcement, military, and more.
A cybersecurity analyst protects company hardware, software, and networks from cybercriminals. The analyst's primary role is to understand company IT infrastructure in detail, to monitor it at all times, and to evaluate threats that could potentially breach the network. The cybersecurity analyst continuously looks for ways to enhance company network security and protect its sensitive information.
The Cyber Security Analyst: Summing It Up
In today’s increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is more important than ever, and the need for expertise in this field of IT work will continue to be in strong demand for years to come. The future is bright for those in cyber security, because employers understand the value of protecting their data, their customers, their employees, and their bottom-line profits from the dangers of bad actors.
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