What Does a Cybersecurity Analyst Do? 2024 Job Guide

You may have to apply to quite a few jobs and go through the interview process before you find the right one, but that’s normal. Don’t lose sight of your goal—if you keep at it, you’ll eventually land the cybersecurity role of your dreams. Finally, update your resume with all the certifications, skills, and experience you’ve gained. It’s wise to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job that you apply for to demonstrate that you have the specific qualifications they’re looking for in the job description.

what do cybersecurity professionals do

They can also compromise infrastructure, which threatens health and safety. Every day, hackers come up with new ways to break into systems and exploit devices. Add that to a long list of cybercrimes like proxy phishing, password attacks, and malware. Millions of Americans share personal information on the internet every day — whether while working remotely, making online purchases, or completing financial transactions. The US Department of Homeland Security designated election infrastructure as “critical” in 2017. This infrastructure includes voter registration databases and the digital technologies used to count, display, and confirm voting results — some of America’s most sensitive data.

Develop your cybersecurity skills.

Ransomware attacks can bankrupt companies, disrupt financial markets, and tank people’s personal finances. The cost of cybercrimes makes it even more important to implement security systems and increase internet safety. Computing and information technology occupations, including cybersecurity, rank among the highest-paying and most in-demand careers.

what do cybersecurity professionals do

As a cybersecurity analyst, you can decide to take your career in a few different directions, depending on your interests and goals. Cybersecurity involves several technical skills, and the fast-paced work environment can be challenging. Having said that, it’s completely possible to gain the required knowledge and learn the right skills with some time and dedication. Here are the requirements and skills you need to pursue a cybersecurity career.

Cybersecurity specialist job description

Cybersecurity specialists are responsible for protecting an organization’s computer systems and networks. As a result, they perform many of the same duties as cybersecurity analysts – and sometimes are called the same thing – but typically focus more on system protection rather than data protection. Bootcamps take significantly less time to complete than traditional degree programs, although they do not offer the same curricular depth. In Google’s Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, you’ll learn how to protect networks, devices, people, and data from unauthorized access and cyberattacks using (SIEM) tools. You’ll also learn how to identify common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities and even gain hands-on experience with Python, Linux, and SQL. A computer science degree provides a foundation in information technology (IT), including understanding TCP/IP protocols that are at the core of all networking.

what do cybersecurity professionals do

Validate skills in various cybersecurity areas, including offensive operations, cyber defense, cloud security, industrial control systems and more. As with most cyberattacks, the best way to treat an APT is to prevent it. Using firewalls and up-to-date antivirus programs are great ways to stop APTs. Getting reputable security software and becoming savvier about cyber threats can save your data from being held hostage. These software programs secure your passwords, block malware, and protect financial data during online transactions. Cybercrime might seem like a distant problem that only affects a small number of people.

Cybersecurity analyst job description

If you’re looking for a job with the flexibility to work evenings or weekend hours, cybersecurity could be a good fit. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates 32 percent job growth between 2022 and 2032—much faster than the national average [3]. There are more cybersecurity jobs than there are people with the right skills to fill them. Develop those skills, and you can make yourself a more competitive candidate for the tens of thousands of open cybersecurity analyst jobs in the US. Ask a cybersecurity professional why they chose this as a career, and you might get a variety of answers.

what do cybersecurity professionals do

These companies may hold job fairs, put on conferences and provide resources for connecting with peers and employers. Consider some of the following professional organizations for cybersecurity workers. Payscale reports an average annual cybersecurity salary of around $97,000, and these wages typically increase with experience. These professionals carry out security measures, update current security systems and conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Information security managers train and supervise staff and collaborate with operations managers on their organization’s security strategy.

AI in Cybersecurity: A Comprehensive Guide

As humans have become more reliant on technology, the prevalence and severity of cybercrimes have grown. For example, ransomware is a type of cyberattack that locks an individual’s or organization’s information until certain demands are met, including extorted payments. These attacks have affected financial, healthcare and education organizations, causing significant delays and leaks of information. In industries such as healthcare, the implications can be even more severe and even deadly.

There is a need to protect against risks and threats to an organization’s data. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reports that 47 percent of adults in the US have had their cybersecurity specialist program personal data exposed by cyber criminals [1]. If you take into account that a data breach can cost an average of $9.44 million in the US, it’s clear why there is high demand for cybersecurity [2].

Related network security topics

You can have an impact on your organization by keeping valuable data protected. With new threats and sophisticated attacks emerging all the time, there’s always something new to learn. Staying one step ahead of cybercriminals can be an exciting job where no two days are the same.

  • Cybersecurity analysts protect computer networks from cyberattacks and unauthorized access.
  • You may decide to acquire more certifications to get where you want to go in the future.
  • As an ethical hacker, you can try out even more attack vectors (like social engineering) to reveal security weaknesses.

Earning a cybersecurity certification can be a great way to validate your skills to recruiters and potential employers. Preparing for an exam doubles as a way to learn more about the field and build your skills. Take a look at some of the most popular cybersecurity certifications companies are hiring for. The average annual salary quoted in US job listings for cybersecurity analysts from May 2022 through April 2023 was $107,517, according to CyberSeek [1]. This is nearly twice as high as the national median salary for all occupations, $61,900 [2].

In addition to a growing number of cybercrimes, the types of attacks have grown. Malware, phishing, and DDoS attacks can take down major corporations and risk the private data of millions of people. Individuals can take simple steps to maintain their cybersecurity, like using a password manager app. But businesses typically require more sophisticated, proactive cybersecurity strategies. Project+ gives technical and non-technical professionals the basic concepts to successfully manage small- to medium-sized projects. Authorization to use sensitive data and important company systems gives employees a lot of responsibility.

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