Looking to make a career in cybersecurity domain? Then information security analyst is a popular profile you can consider getting started with.
Cybersecurity measures are getting increasingly necessary for organizations across all industries. Businesses are constantly looking for cybersecurity professionals who can efficiently contribute to protecting their organization’s critical infrastructure and sensitive data. Cybersecurity once used to be an integral part of the IT department, however, with increasing cybercrime, organizations have started giving cybersecurity due importance and making it a separate department.
Several cybersecurity job profiles constitute a cybersecurity workforce who are responsible for performing specific jobs. An information security analyst is one of them. In this article, we will delve deeper into the career of an information security analyst and see how to become one.
What are information security analysts?
Information Security Analysts are important cybersecurity professionals responsible for protecting their organization’s information from malicious actors, viruses, malware, and any other kinds of cyber-attacks. They have to protect the computer and network systems and combat cyber-attackers to prevent them from stealing important information. They are also responsible for updating their systems and networks with the latest firewall protections regularly.
Here are some common day-to-day responsibilities of information security analysts:
- Identify risks and vulnerabilities in computer networks
- Investigate security breaches
- Install data encryption, anti-virus, firewalls, and other protective software
- Educate other employees (technical and non-technical) and clients about best security practices
- Help other employees fix their security and access issues
- Testing and implementing new preventive measures and tools
- Create effective strategies to contain the damage after cyber-attack and store and recover data with minimum impact.
They may also involve in researching new cybersecurity tools and methods to strengthen the overall security of their organization.
Educational qualifications and requirements for Information Security Analysts
If you feel excited about this cybersecurity career path, then let us have a quick look at what does it takes to become an information security analyst.
- Education
Information security analysts are basically IT professionals. So, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information security, computer or programming engineering, and related fields is necessary.
Some employers also prefer hiring these cybersecurity professionals with master’s degree or relevant cybersecurity certifications under their belt. So, consider these credentials as well, however, it is not mandatory.
While a master’s degree in information systems can span 2 years’ time, certifications can be completed within 1-12 months depending upon the program and your learning style.
- Training
Proper training is essential to get into this cybersecurity career as employers often prefer candidates with prior practical work experience. You can get the right training through university courses, cybersecurity bootcamps, internships, or through entry-level cybersecurity jobs.
Information security analysts often have experience in the following fields:
- Information technology positions
- Network technician
- Computer technician
- Support analyst
These practical experiences prove to be highly valuable during finding the right job.
What are the skills required to become an ISA?
These are some of the important cybersecurity skills you need to master for this role:
Technical Skills
- Basic understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals such as firewalls, networks, and other common threats
- Knowledge of various operating systems including Windows, MacOS, Linux, etc.
- Should know about different network protocols, and how data flows
- Understanding of intrusion detection systems, and other Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools
- Must know how to automate various repetitive tasks using scripting languages
Non-Technical Skills
- Analytical thinking
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Staying updated with latest trends and technologies in the cybersecurity domain
Salary details of Information security analysts
According to Glassdoor, the annual average salary of an Information Security Analyst in the US is $118,492.
Some of the top companies paying most to information security analysts in the US are:
- EY – $158,597
- Synopsys – $145,000
- Wells Fargo – $134,353
- NVIDIA – $147,099
- Cisco – $144,432
These are other related job profiles
- CISP – $76,650
- Information Security Specialist – $1,25,013
- Information Systems Security Analyst – $1,20,119
Best certifications to take cybersecurity career forward
Cybersecurity certifications are a great way to demonstrate your cybersecurity skills and expertise to potential employers. Top certifications can enhance your employability many times as well as help you negotiate higher salaries.
With top cybersecurity certifications you can learn the latest skills and stay updated with the latest tools and technologies in this domain. Some of the popular certification to get you started as information security analyst are:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™) by USCSI®
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA)+
- Certified Ethical Hacker
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is a growing field, and the role of information security analyst will become more evolved in the coming years. As we enter the future and embrace the emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, we can see enhanced use and integration of such technologies in cybersecurity domain. However, by earning the basic educational and training requirements, and updating your skills with top cybersecurity certifications will help take your career to the next level. Overall, the career of information security analyst is highly rewarding and full of opportunities. So, get started with your information security career now.
