How to Become a Cyber Security Analyst?
A cyber security analyst must meet a number of criteria before entering the field. A degree in information security or a closely related field is highly desirable to most employers.
One can also break into the field by beginning in a lower-level IT position and working one’s way up to a cybersecurity position.
Certification programs and online “boot camps” provide intensive training in cyber security, allowing you to quickly advance your career.
Earn more from your current position thanks to the added credibility earned through obtaining a certification.
What Are Cyber Security Analyst Roles and Responsibilities?
To prevent and deal with cyber threats is the job of a cyber security analyst. Although this procedure may vary slightly from company to company and industry to industry, the basic idea is the same everywhere. Some typical duties of a cyber security analyst include:
Manage Software
Maintain and protect an organization’s systems and networks by installing, managing, and updating software.
Monitor Networks
Keep an eye on networks to find out what’s going on inside them, spot malicious behavior in incoming code, and act accordingly.
Develop Security Plans
Giving advice and best practices on data security to users and workers.
Reporting
Create a log of all security incidents and the steps taken to fix them.
Research
Identify emerging issues in IT and security, monitor evolving threats and attacks, and develop countermeasures.
What Are the Important Skills for Cyber Security Analysts?
A cyber security analyst needs to have a broad range of skills to be able to handle malware and security breaches. The most important skills for a cyber security analyst are:
Scripting
Candidates with experience with Java or C++, two popular programming languages, will be given preference. Cyber security analysts can decipher encoded threats this way and rewrite software as necessary.
Hacking
Cyber security analysts need to think like a hacker to understand the hacking process. This will enable them to prepare for cyber attacks and prevent them before they even occur.
Networking
Cyber security analysts need to have a vast expertise in working with diverse networks and understand how each of these elements can impact the security of an organization.
Operating Systems
Cyber security analysts need to be comfortable working on all types of operating systems such as Linux, Windows, iOS, Android etc.
Cyber Security Analyst Job Description
The need for cyber security analysts is expected to rise in tandem with the prevalence of cyber attacks and threats. RiskBased Security reports that in the first nine months of 2019, a staggering 7.9 billion records were compromised due to data breaches. The number of exposed records increased by 112% in 2018.
From 2019 to 2029, employment for cyber security analysts is expected to grow by up to 31 percent, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. The duties of a cyber security analyst may vary depending on the industry and employer. But they all share these qualities:
- Configure antivirus systems and consoles and take care of day-to-day operations and data structures
- Conduct threat and risk analysis and provide viable solutions for them
- Collect and analyze data to eliminate risk, performance and capacity issues
- Create tools and actively take part in the security architecture reviews
- Design and develop security features and procedures
- Integrate and deploy security software solutions
- Design secure principles and optimize new technology services
Certifications Required to Become a Cyber Security Analyst
Both newcomers to the field and veterans have found value in a variety of available cyber security analyst certifications.
Certified Ethical Hacker Certification
You can legally apply your hacking skills and knowledge to strengthen the security of an organization if you earn a Certified Ethical Hacker credential. This credential verifies that you have the knowledge and ability to assess an organization’s security by probing for vulnerabilities and weak spots, much like a malicious hacker would.
CISSP Certification
The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 developed the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, which is widely recognized as the gold standard in information security (ISC). It verifies that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to design, construct, and maintain a secure business environment in accordance with internationally recognized information security standards.
CISA Certification
The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) confers the CISA credential, which stands for “Certified Information Systems Auditor” (ISACA). This credential attests to your mastery of auditing, controlling, and securing IT systems and is accepted all over the world.
If you’re interested in learning more about a career in cyber security, I recommend watching the video below.