- Introduction
- Who is a Cybersecurity Analyst?
- Important Skills for Cybersecurity Analyst
- Cybersecurity Analyst Job Description
- Cybersecurity Analyst Career Path
- Conclusion
Introduction
In this digital economy, nearly all businesses require an online presence to interact with their target audience. But it comes with a responsibility to keep the private and financial information of your customers safe.
Cyberattacks have become more commonplace than ever, and the demand for cybersecurity analysts has grown across industries all over the world.
The demand for cybersecurity professionals has expanded three times faster than openings for IT jobs overall.
Despite the growing demand, there remains a shortage of professionals who are specialized in the cybersecurity field.
Are you interested in finding out what it takes to join the booming field of cybersecurity? If your answer is yes, this article is for you.
Read: Demand/Supply of Skilled Cybersecurity Professionals
Who is a Cybersecurity Analyst?
Undoubtedly, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. This trend is likely to grow as Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that by the end of 2021, there will be 3.5 million vacant cybersecurity positions globally.
But what exactly does a cyber security analyst do on a day-to-day basis? We’ll tell you.
Very simply, a cyber security analyst protects the hardware, software, and network of a computer against cybercriminals. The cybersecurity analyst’s primary role is to understand a given company’s IT infrastructure, monitor it at all times, and look for threats that could breach the security of this network.
Additionally, a cybersecurity analyst is responsible for the following tasks as well:
- Reporting: Detailing what is currently going on with the company network to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. Cybersecurity analysts must create and read these reports to look for any unusual activity on the network.
- Evaluate Weaknesses: Consistently test all company networks and look for weaknesses before external threats can compromise them.
- Configuration Tools: Evaluating what the company system needs and using tools such as virus software, password protection, and vulnerability management software to protect its data.
Important Skills for Cybersecurity Analyst
There are certain skills that a cybersecurity analyst must have to be able to detect malware and combat security breaches. These include:
Hacking
Cybersecurity analysts should think like a hacker would to understand the hacking process. By doing so, they can proactively foresee and prevent cyberattacks before they occur.
Scripting
They need to have a working knowledge of computer programming languages and scripts like Java or C++. It enables them to understand encoded threats and rewrite software if needed.
Networking
Cybersecurity analysts need expertise in working with diverse networks and understanding how each of these elements can impact the security of an organization. Different industries face different kinds of threats in terms of the type and frequency of cyberattacks.
Operating Systems
One should also be comfortable working on all operating systems such as Linux, Windows, iOS, Android, etc.
Read: How the Gaming Industry Experienced a 340% Spike in Cyber Attacks
Cybersecurity Analyst Job Description
Cyber Security analyst jobs are projected to grow up to 31 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than any other occupation.
While the job description for a cybersecurity analyst position depends on a particular company’s needs and the industry they are a part of, the following requirements are similar among all in terms of what they expect from the analyst:
- Design, develop and implement security features and procedures
- Integrate security software solutions into their network
- Create tools and actively partake in security architecture reviews
- Collect and analyze data to eliminate risk, performance, and capacity issues
- Conduct threat analysis and provide solutions
- Configure antivirus systems
- Design secure principles and optimize new technology solutions
Cybersecurity Analyst Career Path
Now that we have established that cybersecurity analysts are in high demand, let’s get down to knowing how to become a cybersecurity analyst.
There isn’t one particular set path to become a cybersecurity analyst. Some professionals enter the field straight out of college, while others make a transition.
Regardless, it is necessary to have a general IT background to start a cybersecurity career.
While many people study cybersecurity in college, it is not the only path to have a successful cybersecurity career. If you receive on-the-job training instead, you must also supplement that with additional training and education.
35% of cybersecurity jobs require an industry certification compared to 23 percent of IT jobs overall.
Most management-level cybersecurity jobs are highly specialized. The more you can streamline your expertise by seeking out specific industries and certifications, the more attractive you’ll appear to companies looking for these particular skill sets.
So, a tentative path to a cybersecurity analyst position may look like this:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or a related field
- Alternatively, gain equivalent experience with relevant industry certifications
- Enter the industry as a programmer or cybersecurity analyst
And beyond the entry-level positions, your career trajectory could progress as follows:
- Get promoted to a role as a security analyst, engineer, consultant, or auditor
- Gain more advanced IT certifications and training
Once you enter the cybersecurity field, it is necessary to stay updated with the latest innovations by taking industry-relevant certifications. If you find yourself aspiring one day to become the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of a company, you may even need to upskill with an online MBA program. Some of the best MBA programs are listed here.
Conclusion
There remain millions of unfilled positions globally due to a skills shortage in the workforce. For people who receive training in the cybersecurity field, having a secure job in an exciting industry is a given.
If you enjoy working with technology and want to shift to a high satisfaction career, you must give upskilling in Cybersecurity a serious thought.
To upskill with Cybersecurity, you should seek a course that is world-renowned, rigorous and gives you industry-relevant experience as you learn. This Advanced Cybersecurity Program , delivered and supported by Great Learning. Give your career the boost it deserves and upskill with Cybersecurity today!
“The perfect chance for me to build my foundations on the critical pillars of Cybersecurity”, says Digambar, an alumns of Great Learning’s Cybersecurity Program. Read further to learn about his journey with Great Learning.
