How to Become a Cyber Security Analyst-Hackers all across the world continue to use new and sophisticated tactics to gain access to a company’s critical data. The demand for cyber security experts is steadily expanding as the number of cyber attacks grows in frequency.
What Is a Cyber Security Analyst?
A cyber security analyst is largely responsible for preventing cyber attacks on a company’s network and systems. This entails researching impending IT trends, developing contingency plans, analysing suspicious activity, reporting security breaches, and educating the rest of the firm about security precautions.
Threat protection methods and security controls are also implemented by cyber security experts. They may even replicate security attacks in order to identify potential security flaws within the firm.
Because hackers are constantly developing new tactics and techniques, cyber security experts must keep up with the latest breakthroughs in their digital weapons.
How to Become a Cyber Security Analyst?
To work as a cyber security analyst, you must meet a variety of prerequisites. Most employers will prefer candidates with a degree in information security or a related profession.
However, you may get into this field by starting out in an entry-level IT position and working your way up to a cyber security post. Certifications and online bootcamps that offer crash courses in cyber security can help you obtain experience and the skills you need. Certifications help you boost your earning potential and distinguish yourself from the competition.
What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Cyber Security Analyst?
A cyber security analyst prepares for cyber threats and responds to them. This method may vary depending on the workplace, company, and industry, but the basic concept remains the same. The following are some of the most frequent jobs and tasks of a cyber security analyst:
Manage Software
Install, administer, and update software on all of an organization’s systems and networks, as well as ensuring that they are all secure.
Monitor Networks
Monitor networks to stay updated about what’s going on inside them, spot suspicious behaviour in incoming code, and respond appropriately.
Develop Security Plans
Employees and end users are given recommendations on optimal data security procedures.
Reporting
Compile regular safety reports and keep track of security issues and the steps taken to address them.
Research
Research forthcoming information technology and security developments, stay current on prospective dangers and assaults, and devise preventive strategies.
What Are the Important Skills for Cyber Security Analysts?
To manage malware and security breaches, a cyber security analyst must have a diverse set of abilities. The following are the most critical skills for a cyber security analyst:
Scripting
Working knowledge of computer programming languages and scripts such as Java and C++ is in great demand. This allows cyber security specialists to decode risks and, if necessary, rebuild software.
Hacking
To comprehend the hacking process, cyber security analysts must think like a hacker. This will allow them to anticipate and prevent cyber-attacks before they occur.
Networking
Cyber security analysts must have extensive experience dealing with a variety of networks and a thorough understanding of how each of these factors might affect an organization’s security.
Operating Systems
Cyber security analysts must be able to work on a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Cyber Security Analyst Job Description
The demand for cyber security experts is increasing as cyber attacks and threats become more common. According to RiskBased Security, data breaches exposed 7.9 billion records in the first nine months of 2019. In 2018, the amount of records revealed increased by 112 percent.
From 2019 to 2029, cyber security analyst positions are expected to grow at a rate of up to 31%, which is substantially quicker than any other occupation. Distinct organisations and sectors may have different job descriptions for cyber security analysts. However, there are some characteristics that are shared by all of them:
- Set up antiviral systems and consoles, as well as daily operations and data structures.
- Conduct threat and risk assessments and offer potential solutions.
- To remove risk, performance, and capacity issues, collect and evaluate data.
- Make tools and take an active role in security architecture reviews.
- Create and implement security features and procedures.
- Integrate and roll out security software.
- Create safe guidelines and improve innovative technology services.
Cyber Security Analyst Salary
The compensation of a cyber security analyst is determined by a variety of criteria such as experience, qualifications, abilities, industry, and location. A cyber security analyst earns an average of $99,730 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top ten percent of earners earn more than $158,860 per year, while the bottom ten percent make around $57,810 per year.
Certifications Required to Become a Cyber Security Analyst
There are a variety of certifications available for both entry-level and experienced cyber security analysts.
Certified Ethical Hacker Certification
A Certified Ethical Hacker certification allows you to apply your hacking skills and expertise to help an organisation improve its security in a legal way. This certification verifies that you have the skills to look for flaws and vulnerabilities in target systems in the same way that a malicious hacker would, but in a legal and legitimate way to assess the security of organisations.
CISSP Certification
The International Information Systems Security Credential Consortium produced the Certified Information Systems Security Professional or CISSP Certification, which is a worldwide recognised information security certification (ISC). It certifies your ability to develop, create, and maintain a secure business environment based on internationally recognised information security standards.
CISA Certification
CISA Certification (Certified Information Systems Auditor) is a qualification given by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). This is a worldwide recognised certification that verifies your knowledge of information system auditing, control, and security.
Here’s What You Should Do Next
Cyber security is the right career option for you if you’re interested in ethical hacking and want to design the greatest defence systems available. The Post Graduate Program in Cyber Security at Simplilearn is specifically created for students who wish to improve and upgrade their technical and programming skills in order to deal with security concerns. This programme will help you gain all the in-demand skills you need to rock your cyber security profession, with live Masterclasses from the renowned MIT faculty, hands-on projects, and live lectures from industry practitioners and experts.
