How to Become a Cyber Security Analyst in the EASIEST Way Possible
By Ankita Tripathy
13 September, 2024
Business
Last Updated on: September 18th, 2024
The dark forces in the cyber world are getting stronger than ever with time. As a result, they create havoc worth millions and billions. Even sophisticated cyberattacks like phishing malware disrupt the assets of governments and private corporations.
Data safety has indeed become a matter of grave concern. To top it all, there is a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals.
Do you have the tech knowledge to deter cybersecurity threats?
What to make a handsome career on it?
Be a cyber security analyst.
But how to become a cyber security analyst? This is one question common to many enthusiasts. Let’s decode it in this article.
What is a Cyber Security Analyst?
Take it as the first step to the process, “how to become a cyber security analyst?”. We mean this section is dedicated to neophytes.
Cyber security analysts are professionals who take the initiative to protect an organization from ballooning cyber threats. The be-all and all of the cyber security analysts are to safeguard data integrity, data confidentiality, and also data availability. They keep a close vigil on the fraudulent activities and respondents.
Moreover, these professionals use different tools to attain the objective, and they include:
- Intrusion detection systems.
- Firewall.
- SIEM software.
They do it to identify and thereafter analyze the potential threats. The cybersecurity analysts conduct a vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. It helps them discover the weaknesses of the addresses within the system.
Also, they develop and make sure that the company conforms religiously to the security protocols and policies to the level and requirements of the industry standards.
With their complete vigilance over the system, they keep organizations secure online.
In addition, they play a critical role in defending against cyber threats and also maintaining resilience and security of the IT infrastructure.
However, we will try to understand the roles and responsibilities of these professionals in subsequent sections.
What Are The Roles And Responsibilities Of A Cyber Security Analyst
You may have heard about different positions, such as cloud security engineer and others in different working domains. However, there are diverse opportunities if you are searching for how to become a cybersecurity analyst.
Yes, these experts take complete authority over the organization’s hardware, software, and network.
Besides, they keep a watchdog and use tools to keep themselves protected. If you work in a small organization with limited online maneuverings, then your activities may be restricted. But if you work in an MNC, you must take note of diverse areas.
Here’s a job listing of the roles and responsibilities of a data analyst in a full-fledged organization.
Investigating the incidents and responding to the events in real-time.
- Overseeing the network traffic for security-related incidents and events.
- Investing the security-related incident and thereafter responding in real-time.
- Writing down the detailed incident reports of the responses
- Installing and operating encryption programs, firewalls, and other security software.
- Fixing the threats and vulnerabilities within the network.
- Research and analysis.
- Performing the most periodic risk assessment tests.
The cybersecurity analyst needs to be familiar with the organization’s online infrastructure and keep track of the current cyber threat landscape.
This means that the professional has to have deep knowledge of Windows, Mac, and even Linux operating system.
Finally, having a good idea of the VPN’s firewalls, as well as the security and information management systems, should be on the safe side.
We mentioned that there are opportunities galore in this field, like cyber security auditing and others, which help you become employed in a big organization.
How To Become A Cybersecurity Analyst
Yes, we have arrived at the main section of our article where we would know how to become a cybersecurity analyst.
Moreover, there is an idea that earning a career in cybersecurity is difficult as one needs a specialized set of technical know-how.
Is becoming a cyber security analyst hard?
Yes, overseeing the network of a business organization responding to cyber threats is never an easy job, that’s for sure.
But if you have the right set of skills, you can become an expert in the field and earn the reputation and remuneration that you desire.
In this section, we discover and try to understand some of the ways you can become a cybersecurity expert. Yes. We are discussing it in a step-by-step manner.
Step1: Developing The Right Cybersecurity Skills
If you are a cybersecurity analyst, then you have the option to work on a wide variety of domains.
They include banking, office networks, military intelligence, and more. These skills can guarantee you success in this field.
Moreover, you need to possess considerable knowledge in hardware skills like threat intelligence, incident response, risk management, programming language (C, C++, Perl, Java, and Python), information assurance, OS( iOS, Linux, and PC), enterprise security architecture, and Data storage.
Besides, you must have knowledge of soft skills like troubleshooting, collaboration, problem-solving, customer success, adaptability, curiosity, and ethics.
Step 2: Certification
The second step in, how to become a cyber security analyst, is also time consuming.
Certifications demonstrate the fact that you have the technical acumen to work for the organization. Here we mention some of the certificates that you need to attain.
Comptia Cysa+
This is an examination that earns you a CYSA+ certificate. It vindicates the fact you have mastered core cybersecurity concepts to work as a cybersecurity analyst. CompTIA Security+
This is a security certification that you can earn.
This is one of the requirements which can make you a full-fledged cybersecurity professional. You have heard about the position of Soc Analyst.
These professionals oversee the organization’s IT architecture. They must attain such competency.
Comptia Network+
Networking is one of the most fundamental skills in cybersecurity. Attaining the certificates validates that you have earned the capability of establishing and maintaining networks.
Step 3: Adequate Networking
How to become a cyber security analyst? Yes, attaining degrees and competency is not all. You grow your network amidst the professionals in the field.
Yes, it’s all about establishing the right network and connection to get new opportunities.
There are tools that can help you stay knowledgeable regarding the major trends in the evolving industries. They help you make the right connections with people.
Step 4: Information Technology Knowledge
Technical knowledge is paramount. That is the reason we mentioned attaining certificates and skills before everything else. However, it can be common for those with IT experience to eventually make it through into the world of cybersecurity.
Yes, IT experience counts a lot, even if you are thinking about a future in the related domain.
However, you need to be focused throughout the process, right from the onset. The best approach would be to gain experience from the lower levels.
Begin with the entry-level jobs. Apart from these, you can also consider an internship or, say, a part-time job in desktop support.
Yes, you can say that these positions are not the same as those of cybersecurity analysts. An analyst’s work is diverse and intense compared to that of an IT person.
But it can surely help you with how your decisions can make an impact on the entire business.
You will understand the reason, why it is important to teach nontechnical people basic security measures to remain on the safe side.
Step 5: Expansion Of Training
You must get the help of experts in the field. These experts can help you integrate into practical projects like accelerated body camps and other programs. With the help of expert you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Gaining in-depth knowledge of technical intricacies is quite an important element in understanding the field.
With these courses, you can enroll in leadership and management positions.
Step 6: Apply For Cybersecurity Job Position
This is the final step in our discussion, “How to become a cyber security analyst.” Now that you have attained all sets of know-how, it’s the right time to enter the professional field and get the right opportunity. However, there are some examples of jobs that you can pursue.
Security Operations Center (Soc) Analyst
This very responsibility helps you oversee the cybersecurity alerts. They help you investigate incidents and coordinate the incident response efforts.
Cybersecurity Analyst
The cybersecurity analysis job is all about overseeing diverse security-related incidents, conducting vulnerability assessments, and safeguarding the digital assets of the organization.
This is the reason the job opportunity is highly sought after. There is also a high demand for this field, which has specialized responsibilities.
Information Security Analyst
You may often know how important it is to manage sensitive information. Yes, the protection of an organization’s information and data unauthorized elements is highly important, and it must be on the priority list.
It Security Administrator
The IT security administrator’s role is to implement key security measures and keep the security policies and access control within an organization intact.
Even posts like cyber security auditor are respectable and earn you handsomely.
A Bright Career Awaits You If You Have The Right Training
Cybersecurity is a complex domain, which is why there is always a healthy demand for professionals with the right set of knowledge and competency.
If an individual attains the right skills, certificates, and knowledge base, then they can crack these jobs with a high salary. But one must start with the basic jobs.
It helps an individual understand how decision-making regarding network security helps an organization to grow. Most importantly, these job responsibilities offer high remuneration.
Hence, what are you waiting for? We hope you have got a comprehensive understanding of “how to become a cyber security analyst?”
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