What Does it Take to be a Cyber Security Analyst in 2022?

Cyber security analysts design security measures to protect IT infrastructure, including software, hardware, and networks, from malicious attacks and threats. Their job roles require analyzing systems to search for weaknesses and vulnerabilities, maintaining network updates and firewalls, and controlling credentialing & file access.

Candidates who wish to build their career in this field can complete their bachelor’s degree in programming, computer science, or related disciplines. However, with an increase in demand for security, companies are looking for candidates with the right experience and skills.

So, if you are interested in entering this field, read on to know what it takes to become a cyber security expert.   

How to Start a Career as a Cyber Security Analyst?

Here are the detailed steps to becoming a successful cyber security specialist:

• Learn fundamentals of cyber security

Firstly, candidates must know about the present threat landscape. With the change in technology, learning how to recognize threats and vulnerabilities is essential. It is also vital to understand cyber security fundamentals, such as detecting and anticipating threats and how information systems can be threatened. 

Candidates should get accustomed to firewalls, switching & routing, and network architecture & protocol.   

• Improve technical skills 

After gaining fundamental knowledge, they should practice basic cyber security tasks, such as securing data through encryption, analyzing network traffic, and performing security audits. 

Several online training labs for cyber security are there in a parallel workplace environment. With this, candidates can practice managing real-world challenges and test their knowledge. 

• Join a certificate course 

A certificate program in cyber security offers a great opportunity to understand the associated tools and technologies to identify & protect against threats and the ongoing threat landscape. 

Selected institutes, such as Imarticus, make the candidates job-ready and offer placement assistance after completion of the program. Their cyber security courses are extremely helpful for those who do not have any comprehensive technical background.

The Post Graduate Program in Cyber Security, in collaboration with EC-Council, is one of the top cyber security courses in India. It will help you to gain expertise in cyber security.

• Thoroughly research the sector 

The cyber security industry is constantly evolving. With innovative technologies, cyber attackers are chalking out new workarounds and tactics. Analysts need to update themselves with the new happenings in the cybercrime & security space. 

By knowing the latest trends in information technology and security, they can ensure that their skills and knowledge match current requirements.  

• Apply for relevant jobs 

There is a high demand for cyber security experts globally, with multiple job titles and positions. The job roles will grow and evolve as the threat landscape and technology change. 

Building a professional network is an important aspect of becoming a successful analyst. An efficient network that is lined up with a particular career path will provide information about the current opportunities and trends within the industry.

What are The Top Skills of a Cyber Security Analyst?

Cyber security professionals must have the following skills to flourish:

• Ability to work on all the operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Linux. 
• Potential to work with multiple networks and learn how each networking tool can affect an organization’s security.
• In-depth knowledge of ethical hacking to prevent cyber attacks. 
• Understanding of scripts and computer programming languages, such as C++, SQL, PHP, Python, and Java, to figure out encoded threats.  

Final Words

With the growth of digital transformation across sectors and industries, there will be a robust demand for cyber security analysts. Traditional cyber security experts worked with nook industries associated with vulnerable segments such as oil and gas companies, banking, finance, and the military.

But now, everyday brands and consumer companies are recruiting cyber security professionals to help safeguard their operations. The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) forecasts that job opportunities for analysts will surge by 36% through 2024.      

To sum up, aspirants should opt for a cyber security course in order to develop the appropriate technical skills and land lucrative jobs.