How to Become a Security Analyst?

Physical security isn’t the only protection an organization needs. As cyber security threats become prevalent, safeguarding an organization’s data has also gained prime importance these days. Here, the role of Security Analysts comes into play. They ensure that a company’s data and network are protected from external access. A career in cybersecurity can be extremely rewarding. If you are passionate about building a career in the IT sector, then this is a great career to consider. This blog covers this career profile in detail. Check out the skills required, eligibility, courses, colleges and scope here.

Who is a Security Analyst?

A security analyst is responsible for protecting the security of a company’s data. A security analyst should be aware of every aspect of Information Technology (IT). They are responsible for maintaining relations with business administrators and communicating about the shortcomings in the security system.

Roles and Responsibilities

An information security analyst guards against cyber-attacks and data breaches on an organization’s computer networks, systems, and databases.

A job description for an information security analyst can explicitly include:

• Detecting, monitoring, and mediating different security factors such as physical security, software security, and network security
• Testing for compliance control
• Creating advice and training courses to reduce the company’s security risk
• Being aware of changing cyber security concerns through connecting with other sources
• Collaborating with other teams and firm management to develop optimal security practices

Why is Cybersecurity Important?

Cybersecurity is critical since so much of our sensitive information is exposed to attacks, including personal and health data, intellectual property, and government information systems, and it must be adequately protected.

The goal of cybersecurity is to keep systems and data safe from cyber threats. Individuals and businesses use cybersecurity to protect their data from unauthorised access.

Cyber attacks can occur at any scale, large or small. There have been incidents where governmental organisations have been breached and citizens have lost access to crucial services. Individual victims of cybercrime have suffered identity theft, blackmail, and extortion.

According to Risk Based Security, over 15.1 billion records were exposed in 2019 and 7,098 breaches were notified.

It is now estimated that cybercrime will cause more than $6 trillion in harm, making cybersecurity more vital than ever. Cyber criminals’ strategies are also becoming more sophisticated, making cybersecurity crucial.

Must Read: Unique Careers in Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Security Analyst

Here is a step-by-step guide to becoming a security analyst and getting the job of your dreams!

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree: Interested candidates must first complete a bachelor’s degree program in a related stream such as Computer Science, Information Technology etc.
2. Gain experience: You will have to start gaining experience in an entry-level position in a relevant sector. It will help you gain necessary practical experience while also sharpening your technical skills.
3. Attain certifications: There are a number of certifications available that will help you acquire the necessary skills for this career. Since the study materials and exams for most of these are available online, you can acquire these while working as well.
4. Pursue a master’s degree: Once you have started your career as a Security Analyst, you can consider pursuing a master’s degree in the field. Depending on the career path that you choose, you may want to choose between a technical or a management degree to advance your career.
5. Create a resume and apply for jobs: A strong cyber security resume might help you stand out from the crowd during the interview. Consider emphasising your GPA and undergraduate projects if you are an entry-level candidate with no prior experience. If you are an experienced candidate, you should emphasise your relevant work experience.

Skills Required

• IT Knowledge: A deep understanding of Information Technology is essential to becoming a security analyst. Strong knowledge of Networking is important too. Security analysts should keep themselves updated with the latest information technology practices.
• Analytical Thinking: You must be logical and possess problem-solving skills. Cybersecurity vulnerability is common and hackers gain access to a company’s sensitive data. So a person with analytical thinking will do the part here because before making any decision, they’ll analyze every aspect of the information. 
• Communication Skills: You must be able to explain and convey complex procedures in simple ways. Ensuring that all the employees understand the cyber security measures is a big task. So having communication skills is a must.
• Detail-Oriented: Being a Security Analyst is a complex job. So focusing on even the smallest details is important.
• Documentation and Writing Skills: You’re also required to document your tasks and processes. You must be able to write with clarity and in detail to make it easy for other employees to understand.

Also Read: These Critical Thinking Skills Will Redefine Your Future

Eligibility/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, information assurance, programming, or a related field or MBA in Information Systems.
• Graduates do not need to hold a degree in Information Security Analysis. Entry-level jobs may require a certification or associate degree.
• Relevant work experience. Many bachelor’s degrees provide students with internships as a credit to offer them experience in the field.

Top Universities/Colleges

University/College	Country	Courses offered
Northeastern University	US	Masters of Science Cybersecurity
King’s College London	UK	Advanced CyberSecurity MSc, PG Diploma, PG Certificate Online
Emlyon Business School	France	MSc in Cybersecurity and Defense Management
Linnaeus University	Sweden	Network Security Programme

Courses

1. Ethical Hacking
2. Penetration Testing
3. Intrusion Prevention
4. Incident Response
5. Computer Forensics
6. Reverse Engineering

Also Read: Best Engineering Courses For Future

Certifications for Security Analyst

1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
2. CompTIA Network+
3. Certified Penetration Tester (CPT)
4. CWAPT
5. Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (CREA)
6. CompTIA’s Network+
7. CompTIA’s Security+
8. CompTIACybersecurity Analyst
9. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner
10. CompTIA Security Analytics Expert certification
11. The EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker Certification
12. Certified Security Analyst Training
13. The GIAC Information Security Fundamentals
14. The GIAC Security Essentials Certification
15. Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Duration

Because of the various paths these individuals follow to achieve their career goals, the time it takes to become an information security analyst varies. A bachelor’s degree typically takes 4-5 years to complete. Some accelerated programmes can help you finish faster.

Degree	Duration
Bachelor’s degree in Cyber Security	3-4 years
Master’s courses in Cyber Security	1-2 years
PhD programmes in Cyber Security	3-5 years

Some aspiring information security analysts attend boot camps with no prior experience, while others have a bachelor’s degree. Cybersecurity boot camps typically last 13-40 weeks, with full-time and part-time enrollment options available. Many of these boot camps are available both in person and online.

Scope and Jobs

According to The US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Information Security Analyst’s Outlook, cybersecurity jobs are among the fastest-growing career areas in the US. According to BLS, cybersecurity jobs are expected to grow 31% through 2029.

Here are the job profiles you can apply for as a security analyst:

1. Application Security Analyst
2. Data Security Analyst
3. Security Compliance Analyst
4. Information Security Analyst
5. Cyber Security Analyst

Top Recruiters

Company	Average Annual Salary
EY	INR 10 Lakhs
Apple	INR 1 cr
Deloitte	INR 60 Lakhs
Intel	INR 90 Lakhs
Wipro	INR 7 Lakhs
Bank of America	INR 60 Lakhs
Cisco Systems	INR 75 Lakhs
American Express	INR 75 Lakhs

Top Countries for Security Analysts

The average salary in India per year is INR 5.45 Lakhs. Singapore is the highest-paying country for Security Analysts.

Country	Average Annual Salary
UK	INR 35 Lakhs
USA	INR 78 Lakhs
France	INR 50 Lakhs
Singapore	INR 48 Lakhs
Canada	INR 60 Lakhs
Australia	AUD 113,000 (~INR 61.50 Lakhs)

Also Read: Trending Courses After Engineering That You Must Consider

Conclusion

You are now familiar with the processes that must be taken in order to become a certified cybersecurity specialist. You’ve learnt about Cyber Security Analysts, their job descriptions, the qualifications for entering this field, and so on. You heard about the multiple prospects accessible in this area, as well as the enticing income packages, after reading in depth about all of this.

To apply for similar career roles and earn a high salary, you must first enrol in cybersecurity training, complete it, and obtain experience. So, without further ado, take the first step towards launching your cybersecurity career!

FAQs

This is all about how you can become a security analyst. To know more about your career path, connect with Leverage Edu- your trusted study abroad consultant and start your journey ASAP!