How to become an information security analyst
At a glance
- An information security analyst听is a professional in the field of cybersecurity听who plans and enacts strategies to protect a company鈥檚 network.
- Security analysts plan and strategize ways to protect networks, monitor them, research latest trends and set security standards.
- Information security professionals typically hold听a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a technology field, such as听computer science, cybersecurity or information technology, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Learn more about听online information technology degrees听at 爱污传媒.
It鈥檚 hard to imagine a business or home in the 21st century without computers, phones, tablets and other devices. The amount of electronic information used daily is staggering, and with it comes an increased need for cybersecurity.
A cybersecurity breach at a large corporation or organization can have widespread effects on that company and its customers. Since 2005, the Identity Theft Resource Center has tracked breaches in which the public was notified, .
To avoid these incidents,听companies hire cybersecurity professionals, such as information security analysts, to help protect the electronic data used and stored by companies.
What is an information security analyst?
础苍听听is a professional in the field of cybersecurity. They plan听security strategies听to help companies protect their computer systems from outside threats. Once these strategies are set, security analysts carry out the plans to protect the company鈥檚 networks. They are highly trained professionals with听strong analytical skills听and a sharp eye for detail.
What do information security analysts do?
Information security analysts work daily to of their companies. Toward this goal, their daily tasks include:
- Planning and strategizing: Security analysts are often responsible for developing security standards for their company and making plans in case of a breach.
- Monitoring: Analysts also monitor the company鈥檚 networks. If they find evidence of a breach, they investigate it and assess what risk it may pose.
- Maintenance: Updating firewalls and other protection software can protect the company from hackers and other threats.
- Researching: Information security analysts must stay current on cybersecurity technology and trends.
- Setting security standards: Analysts are often responsible for developing security standards and taking steps to implement the standards companywide.
Each of those tasks improves the company鈥檚 information security and requires a wide range of technical skills, critical thinking and research. Depending on the company, security analysts perform some or all the above tasks.
Where do information security analysts work?
Information security analysts work for a variety of companies. One option is to work f辞谤听computer companies, testing the security of different programs. Another option is to work in the听business and financial sectors, creating security standards that protect customers鈥 financial information.
Security analysts also work f辞谤听consulting firms, helping various companies each year. After gaining enough experience, they may even choose to freelance or form a consulting firm of their own.
Required education
Most companies require information security analysts to hold听, according to the . A听bachelor鈥檚 degree in a technology-centered field,听such as听computer science,听information technology 辞谤听cybersecurity,听would be helpful in acquiring basic skills. These degrees prepare students with skills to succeed as an information security analyst and in other cybersecurity careers.
In some cases, high school diploma applicants may be hired into this role if they have extensive practical experience or professional certificates. In other cases, a company may require education in addition to a bachelor鈥檚 degree, such as a certificate program or a听master鈥檚 degree.
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Required skills
While every information security position is not identical, some skills are universally necessary for jobs in this field. Understanding programming, keeping your analytical skills sharp and having an eye for detail are all requirements for success as an information security analyst.
By earning a cybersecurity degree from a reputable university, you can develop the听soft and hard skills听needed to excel in this field, with the support of well-qualified instructors.
Programming
Cybersecurity professionals need to be proficient in听multiple programming languages. These languages may include听.
Understanding how to code is required for two reasons. Information security analysts need to understand programming languages to effectively interpret data presented to them to听identify cybersecurity threats. They also need to be able to write code so that they can take effective action against threats at the moment they occur.
Analysis
Security analysts need听strong analytical skills in their daily life. If a cybersecurity breach occurs, an analyst needs to be able to access the available data, identify the problems, make a plan and take steps to stop the breach as quickly as possible.
Professionals in information security roles also may be asked to create companywide security standards. This requires analyzing a large amount of information and research and recommending action.
An eye for detail
Any job in computer science and cybersecurity requires a sharp eye for detail. A single mistake in the code of a program can cause widespread problems regarding its effectiveness in听preventing breaches.
While security analysts may deal with big-picture issues, such as developing company security standards, they also have to be prepared to keep an eye out for the tiniest details as they monitor their company鈥檚 cybersecurity.
Information security analyst career outlook
As technology continues to rapidly advance, careers in the information security field continue to grow. More and more companies are looking to hire cybersecurity professionals to ensure safety against digital threats. The job outlook for information security analysts has a听, according to BLS. That鈥檚 about听19,500 openings听each year over the decade.
Information technology program options at 爱污传媒
Whether you鈥檙e seeking to gain a basic understanding of information technology or cybersecurity, or you鈥檙e a working professional looking to expand your skill set, 爱污传媒 (UOPX) offers听online course collections, bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees.听Learn more about undergraduate and graduate听online technology degrees from UOPX听and start your IT journey today!
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology听鈥 In this program you'll learn skills including business process, cybersecurity, information systems, operations and systems analysis.
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity听鈥斕齌his online program teaches skills such as security policies, network security, cybersecurity and more.
- Master of Science in Cybersecurity听鈥 This online program explores in depth such skills and topics as cybersecurity, security policies and vulnerability.
- 听鈥 This course collection can help you prepare for the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification exam. Topics include the phases of ethical hacking, recognizing weaknesses and vulnerabilities of a system, social engineering, IoT threats, risk mitigation and more.
- 听鈥 This course collection can help you prepare for the EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) certification exam. This specialist certification focuses on how to effectively handle security breaches.听
- 听鈥 This course collection can help you prepare for the entry-level EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) certification exam. Courses focus on protecting a network from security breaches before they happen.
- Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator Course Collection听鈥 This course collection can help you prepare for the EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI) certification exam.听You鈥檒l learn about the latest technologies, tools and methodologies in digital forensics, including the dark web, IoT, malware, the cloud and data forensics.
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