A cyber security analyst career- Job opportunities, qualifications, and career advancement
A cyber security analyst is one of the sought-after jobs today. But it is not the designation or the salary you get that makes it one of the most desirable professions. Rather it is the work of defending your team or organization and the sense of responsibility associated with it.
So, if you are interested in entering the field of cyber security as an analyst, then read on to learn more about this profession.
What is a Cyber Security Analyst?
A cyber security analyst is a professional who is trained and specialized in the security of networks and the IT infrastructure system of an enterprise. An analyst is expected to completely understand every element of a cyberattack and malware and how to deal with them.
It is also important that cyber security analysts are proficient in understanding and exploiting the psychology and behavior of cybercriminals. This helps them anticipate cyberattacks beforehand and then try to prevent them before it occurs. This is done by creating a counter program that either hack the cybercriminals’ local server or protects the entire system infrastructure of the employee organization.
A Cyber Security Analyst is One of the Desired Careers in Present Times
According to Glassdoor, a career in cyber security is one of the hottest jobs in the present times. It is among the top 10 jobs and also among the top 10 IT jobs in India. It also enjoys a clear dominance in the other parts of the world.
Furthermore, in 2021, the average salary of an analyst in cyber security was $95,510 in the USA. In India, it was INR 6,15,000 every year.
Qualifications and Certifications Required to Become a Cyber Security Analyst
If you are dreaming of joining a firm as an analyst in the cyber security department, you need to have the following qualifications –
- A CS or IT graduate degree is recommendable for becoming a cyber security analyst. A B.Tech/B.E or an MCA is appropriate, but there is no academic qualification bar. As a fresher, you will be trained on the go.
- There are specific cyber security certifications in IT, network security, and informatics courses that could give you the necessary knowledge about the job. Various leading universities in India and abroad offer these cyber security courses.
- Graduates in other technical fields like STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are appropriate for training to become cyber security analysts. If you are a candidate with a business degree, you have a fair chance of getting hired if you have a certification, but that is not mandatory.
Apart from that, there are a few certifications that offer cybersecurity-related qualifications that are industry-recognized. They are customized towards a specific role. These certifications are:
Certified Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
It is suited for IT professionals involved in risk management. CRISC is also useful for teams involved in network control and assurance.
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
This certification is suited for those IT professionals who are interested in the governance and audit of network security layers.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
This certification is appropriate for network (information and data) security managers and IT team leaders within a company. It adds business skills and IT security together and is a good career-advancing certification.
Parting Thoughts
Although the road map for a career in cyber security has been explained properly, an aspirant should remember some basic things. These qualifications only matter if one is driven enough for success in this field. And, in case the qualification is an issue, then Imarticus is here to help you overcome that obstacle with a specialized course.
