Back to Blog

How To Become a Cyber Security Analyst [2022 Career Guide]
Cybersecurity

How To Become a Cyber Security Analyst (2024 Career Guide, Outlook, Salary & More)

9 minute read | May 19, 2023
Sakshi Gupta

Written by:
Sakshi Gupta

Free Cybersecurity Course

Enter the cybersecurity field with our free introductory course. Learn the basics and build a strong foundation.

Enroll for Free

Ready to launch your career?

With so much of our information being stored and transferred online, cybersecurity involves more than just protecting our information from hackers. Of course, part of the job does involve preventing hacking, phishing, and other kinds of attacks. But cybersecurity, as a field, has grown to encompass much more, including the study of communication networks from a security perspective, analyzing vulnerabilities in both software and hardware, and developing policies for how data is handled and transferred on the Internet. 

Because of its growing importance, the job prospects for cybersecurity professionals have skyrocketed. There’s expected to be an employment growth of 33% between 2020 and 2030, which is a significantly higher rate than for other occupations. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be 16,300 new cybersecurity job openings every year in this decade. 

So if you’ve been considering a career in cybersecurity, you’re at the right place at the right time. The field is already booming, and will only continue to grow over the next few years. In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to chart out your career in cybersecurity – let’s get started!

What Is a Cybersecurity Analyst?

Cybersecurity analysts—sometimes called information security analysts—build and analyze IT security infrastructures. They’re tasked with supervising a company’s systems and networks, with the goal of pre-empting and preventing security attacks. 

Attacks on security systems have become more sophisticated in recent years. Hackers can leverage seemingly innocuous information to gain unauthorized access, steal online identities, and intercept messages. Cybersecurity analysts have to keep evolving so that they can build systems that minimize potential threats.

Cybersecurity student
Job Guarantee

Become a Cybersecurity Analyst. Land a Job or Your Money Back.

Conduct vulnerability assessments into on-premise and cloud security risks. Work 1:1 with an industry mentor. Graduate with a CompTIA Security+ Certification. Land a job — or your money back.

Explore course

What Does a Cybersecurity Analyst Do?

A cybersecurity analyst is on the front line of a company’s cybersecurity efforts. They ensure that any software or hardware used by the company is only accessible to the people who have the right authorizations. 

When you work for a small company, your cybersecurity job might involve a variety of tasks, ranging from penetration testing to real-time threat detection and writing policies. The larger the organization, the more specialized the roles become. 

Here are the most common tasks associated with a job in cybersecurity: 

  • Analyzing existing systems and networks to gauge their security capabilities 
  • Developing encryption protocols and installing firewalls to improve a company’s security framework
  • Monitoring traffic on company networks and detecting threats in real-time 
  • Creating incident logs and producing reports when there are major security incidents 
  • Patching any vulnerabilities that are detected in a network 
  • Conducting risk analyses, penetration tests, and other cyber threat detection processes regularly

Get To Know Other Cybersecurity Students

Ed Burke

Ed Burke

Cyber Security Career Track Student at Springboard

Read Story

Eric Rivera

Eric Rivera

IAM Security Specialist at Dearborn Group

Read Story

Jose Mendoza

Jose Mendoza

Cyber Security Career Track Student at Springboard

Read Story

How To Become a Cybersecurity Analyst

  1. Attend a Bootcamp

  2. Earn a Degree

  3. Learn Cybersecurity Fundamentals

  4. Acquire Cybersecurity Skills

  5. Work on Projects

  6. Find a Mentor

  7. Get Certified or Complete a Course

  8. Create a Killer Portfolio

  9. Network

Attend a Bootcamp

Most jobs require a college degree, but there is a way around it. You can start working in cybersecurity right away by attending a cybersecurity bootcamp. It takes a few months, not years, and is very affordable. You can start working in cybersecurity right away while you pursue your career or other interests.

Earn a Degree

You’ll most likely need a college degree to land a job as a cybersecurity analyst. 

Some colleges now offer specialized degrees in cybersecurity, but you don’t necessarily need one of those to land a job in the industry. A degree in any computer science or software engineering discipline is sufficient, though it helps if you’ve taken some security-focused classes as part of your degree.

Learn Cybersecurity Fundamentals

If you don’t have a degree in cybersecurity, you will need to learn the fundamentals. There are publications like the United States Cybersecurity Magazine which you can read to familiarize yourself with what’s happening in the industry. You should also follow more general tech news so you are aware of how cybersecurity issues are handled at big companies. 

Acquire Cybersecurity Skills

Cybersecurity traverses disciplines like programming, policy, and networks, so you’ll need to gain a wide range of skills to learn all the cybersecurity fundamentals. Here are some of the most important skills you need to acquire. 

Programming

It’s important for cybersecurity analysts to learn how to code. The first reason is that you’ll need some engineering chops to build security applications yourself. Learning to code can also teach you how to prevent security flaws in your code. 

Software and Systems

As a cybersecurity analyst, your job is to ensure that all of your systems are secure. This means that you need to know about every piece of software used across the company, who has access to it, and what purpose it’s used for. It helps to have an understanding of IT, so you can take stock of all of the processes and systems at play in your organization. 

Networks

Cybersecurity analysts need to know how communication works over networks like Local Area Networks (LAN) and Virtual Private Networks (VPN). They also need to be adept at detecting and eliminating network security threats. 

Incident Response

What you do when you detect a security attack is called incident response. This includes the systems and protocols that cybersecurity analysts use to respond to phishing, ransomware, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. 

Data Management

Unless there is an explicit requirement to make it public, data that a company produces needs to be kept secure. Cybersecurity analysts study systems that handle data and enforce regulations regarding the ways in which data is transferred. This requires an understanding of computational systems, data processing tools, and organizational hierarchies. 

Intelligence Gathering and Analytical Skills

Cybersecurity analysts proactively pursue information on potential security threats. It isn’t enough to respond to attacks; you have to be able to preempt and prevent them as much as possible. So cybersecurity analysts have to gather intelligence and analyze it to determine the level of threat. 

Soft Skills

Communication is a key skill for cybersecurity analysts. They need to describe security policies in laymen’s terms. Collaborating, critical thinking, and leadership are some of the other soft skills that can come in handy too. 

Work on Projects

Front-end developers can build websites and data analysts can leverage public datasets, but can cybersecurity analysts work on their own projects? They can, especially if they’re just starting out in the field. 

For example, consider bug bounties, which are rewards offered to those who find vulnerabilities in websites or apps. There are various bug bounty programs online and anyone can participate. Once you have the requisite skills, you can take part in these and produce reports on your findings. 

You can also build password strength checkers, keyloggers (only as a project, remember), and even RFID blockers if you want to dabble in cybersecurity. 

Find a Mentor

Unsure if you’re on the right track? The easiest way to know is to find a mentor. If you already work in a company, you can approach someone in the security department to be your mentor. It’s a lot easier to make the request if you’re already friends with this person. 

If you don’t yet know anyone in the industry, you can connect with cybersecurity professionals on LinkedIn. If you’re able to find someone who might be a good mentor, then reach out to them and see if they would be open to the arrangement. Not everyone wants to be a mentor, so this can take a few tries. Be patient and keep working on your own skills in the meantime. 

Get Certified or Complete a Course

Doing a cybersecurity course is a great way to fast-track your progress. Having an instructor and peers can enrich your learning experience. Make sure to choose a well-reviewed course that covers the specific areas that you’re interested in. 

You can also take cybersecurity certifications to gain skills in an area of the field or learn how to use a specific tool. If you’re thinking about applying to a particular company, look through their job descriptions to see if they require a particular certification. 

Create a Killer Portfolio

When you’re at the beginning of your cybersecurity career, collate your own projects into a portfolio that you can show to recruiters once you start applying for jobs. 

When creating a portfolio, mention the specific problem-solving approaches and tools you used in each project. This gives recruiters an insight into your approach to cybersecurity. 

Network 

When you’re trying to break into the field, it helps to know other cybersecurity analysts. They can talk you through developments in the field, and tell you what the job is actually like. You should also network with hiring managers so that you’re aware of open positions. 

How Much Can You Make as a Cybersecurity Analyst?

Entry-Level Cybersecurity Analyst

The average salary of an entry-level cybersecurity analyst is $72,000 in the United States. 

MId-Level Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts who have between 5 and 9 years of experience in the industry make an average annual salary of $89,000

Senior Cybersecurity Analyst Salary

Senior cybersecurity analysts make a salary of $135,600 per year. That’s a combination of a base salary of $114,350 and additional pay of $21,250. 

What’s the Best Cybersecurity Role for You?

Jobs in cybersecurity have become more differentiated and specialized over time. There are a wide variety of roles you can take on in the cybersecurity industry. Let’s look at what’s entailed in each of those jobs so you can make an informed choice about which one is best for you. 

Cybersecurity Analyst

This is the most common and far-ranging job that you can land in cybersecurity. A cybersecurity analyst studies a company’s network and data infrastructure to identify ways to make them more secure. They monitor the system to spot suspicious logins, identity theft attempts, and data protection issues. This is a great career for someone just entering the field who wants to get a high-level view of its functioning. 

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts, or cybersecurity analysts, are responsible for protecting an organization’s computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. They do this by conducting security assessments, developing and implementing security policies and procedures, and responding to security incidents.

Information security analysts typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. They may also have some relevant work experience, such as an internship or entry-level IT job.

Systems Engineer

Systems engineers working in cybersecurity use their analytical knowledge to recommend security measures. While other professionals in this field may look at networks or data, systems engineers look at the framework. Their work involves technological interventions and security policy recommendations that can enhance organizational security. 

Penetration Tester

Penetration testers run experiments to expose flaws in the systems that organizations use. The goal is to identify faults in a security system before hackers can. Testers are given the authorization to hack into systems and produce reports on their findings. If you’ve always been fascinated by ethical hacking skills, then this is the job for you. 

Vulnerability Analyst

The titles “vulnerability analyst” and “penetration tester” might sound like the same role, but there are a few differences between the two. Vulnerability analysts check for known vulnerabilities in a system. Penetration testers, on the other hand, look for all possible weaknesses that there might be in a system. 

After detecting vulnerabilities, analysts recommend mitigation strategies. They might also devise vulnerability management policies for organizations. 

Network Engineer

Network engineers bring expertise in building and supervising networks to cybersecurity. They have a deep understanding of network architectures and their potential security shortcomings. You should consider a career as a network engineer if you enjoy a hands-on engineering approach to network cybersecurity. 

Chief Information Security Officer

This is a senior role is reserved for experienced cybersecurity professionals. The Chief Information Security Officer sets the security standards for an organization. They also set the security benchmarks for systems and enact processes that other employees must adhere to. 

Cybersecurity Analyst FAQs

Can You Become a Cybersecurity Analyst With No Experience?

It helps to have a degree in computer science or a software field to land a cybersecurity analyst job. That said, individuals who have completed courses in cybersecurity, or who have a significant number of projects under their belt, do have a shot at a cybersecurity job with no prior experience

What Is the Difference Between a Cybersecurity Analyst and a Cybercrime Investigator?

Cybersecurity analysts keep a company’s IT and network systems safe without focusing on the legality of the actions of malicious actors. Cybercrime investigators conduct inquiries into illegal activities online. 

Is It Hard To Become a Cybersecurity Analyst?

It’s not hard to pick up the skills required to be a cybersecurity analyst. There are various bootcamp programs and professional certifications that you can take to quickly pick up skills in the area. The most important thing to do is find a mentor and constantly network among professionals in the field so that you’re aware of new positions when they open up. Having said that, see here, what factors make cybersecurity hard to learn.

Since you’re here…
Interested in a career in cybersecurity? With or Cybersecurity Bootcamp, you’ll get a job in the industry, or we’ll return your tuition money. Test your skills with our free cybersecurity course, and check out our student reviews. We’re a safe bet. 🔒😉

About Sakshi Gupta

Sakshi is a Managing Editor at Springboard. She is a technology enthusiast who loves to read and write about emerging tech. She is a content marketer with experience in the Indian and US markets.