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Cybersecurity roles have seen a growth in popularity in recent years. According to research conducted by Cyber Seek, there were approximately 465,000 job openings for cybersecurity professionals in the United States as of May 2021, with the most sought-after position being cybersecurity analysts.
If a company has a data leak, the analyst is the person responsible for intervening to resolve the incident.
Company data is indeed an important asset that must be maintained. No wonder, then, that the cybersecurity analyst profession will continue to be increasingly sought after in 2023.
What exactly is a cybersecurity analyst? And what skills are needed to become one?
In this article, we will dive deeper into the most popular cybersecurity role in the market.
Definition of Security Analyst
As a Security Analyst, there are several responsibilities that you may have in ensuring the safety and security of your organization's assets. These responsibilities can vary depending on your specific role, the size of your organization, and the industry you work in.
In general, you would be responsible for safeguarding an organization's computer systems and networks from potential threats, such as cyberattacks, data breaches, and malware. This is done by continuously monitoring and analyzing network traffic, identifying vulnerabilities, and devising strategies to counter potential risks.
You will play a crucial role in protecting an organization's reputation and assets by ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. You will also have to work with other departments to plan and implement security systems for the company.
In addition, you will also need to recommend solutions for security measures for the company's sensitive data and information, especially in terms of technology.
Responsibilities of A Cybersecurity Analyst
Security Analyst ResponsibilitiesAs mentioned earlier, the main responsibility of a cybersecurity analyst is to prevent the destruction or theft of sensitive company data and information from being hacked.
Here is a broad list of the responsibilities, based on summaries from Digital Guardian, and Betterteam.
- Monitoring and analyze network traffic to detect and respond to potential threats
- Replace and install security support software
- Conduct security assessments through vulnerability testing and risk analysis
- Installed security measures and operating software to protect information systems and infrastructure, including firewalls and data encryption programs.
- Work closely with the security team to test and uncover network vulnerabilities.
- Keep up-to-date with IT security trends and news.
- Conduct internal and external security audits
- Analyze security breaches to identify the root cause.
- Continuously update the company's emergency response and disaster recovery plans
- Verify third-party vendors' security and collaborate with them to meet security requirements.
Skills Required For Cybersecurity Analysts
- Knowledge of ethical hacking
Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, is the practice of probing and testing computer systems, networks, and applications for security vulnerabilities. The primary goal of ethical hacking is to identify and fix weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors or cybercriminals, thus protecting organizations and their assets from potential threats.
As a cybersecurity analyst, ethical hacking must be done on company-owned systems. This is so they can identify and analyze potential threats and find solutions. Ethical hacking plays a vital role in a cybersecurity analyst's job by allowing them to proactively identify and address security vulnerabilities, stay current with the evolving threat landscape, and ensure compliance with industry regulations..
- Understand computer forensics
Next, a security analyst must understand computer forensics. Computer forensics, also known as digital forensics, is the process of collecting, analyzing, and preserving electronic evidence in a legally admissible manner. It systematically examines digital devices, such as computers, smartphones, and storage media, to uncover and investigate digital artifacts related to cybercrimes, policy violations, or other malicious activities. Analysts must know how to find evidence or traces when hacking occurs. Then, the evidence or traces are analyzed for further prevention and handling.
Computer forensics is an essential skill for cybersecurity analysts, as it enables them to respond effectively to security incidents, collect and analyze digital evidence, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and collaborate with other professionals involved in the investigation process. Familiarity with computer forensics principles and practices helps analysts make informed decisions and contribute to the overall security posture of their organization.
- Perform reverse engineering
Another important skill a cybersecurity analyst must have is reverse engineering.
Reverse engineering is the process of analyzing a system, device, or software to understand its inner workings, components, and functionality without access to its original design or source code. It involves breaking down a product into its constituent parts, studying how they interact, and reconstructing the system's architecture and design principles.
In the context of cybersecurity, reverse engineering is often used to analyze malware, software applications, and hardware devices to uncover vulnerabilities or understand the techniques used by attackers.
Reverse engineering is essential for cybersecurity analysts, enabling them to analyze and understand the inner workings of malicious code, software applications, and hardware devices. This knowledge helps them identify vulnerabilities, develop countermeasures, and contribute to the organization's overall security strategy.
- Problem-solving skills
Cybersecurity Analysts must be able to identify problems and develop creative solutions to address them. They must be able to think outside the box and be willing to explore new approaches to security. Cybersecurity analysts are often faced with a spectrum of varying challenges and constantly evolving threats.
With new vulnerabilities and attack techniques emerging, analysts must be adept at identifying and addressing these issues swiftly. Problem-solving skills allow cybersecurity professionals to analyze complex situations, devise creative solutions, and ultimately stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
- Attention to detail
Cybersecurity analysts must sift through vast amounts of data, analyze intricate systems, and examine complex code. Attention to detail is crucial in this process, as even the slightest oversight could leave a critical vulnerability undiscovered. By thoroughly examining every aspect of a network, system, or application, analysts can identify potential weaknesses and take appropriate action to fortify the organization's defenses.
This soft skill comes into play when a security breach occurs. The analyst has to conduct a thorough post-incident analysis to understand what went wrong, and how to prevent similar attacks in the future. Closely and careful examination has to be done to inspect every aspect of the incident, including the attacker's methods, entry points, and potential motives.
- Continuous Learning
Cybercriminals are continually developing new attack techniques, exploiting vulnerabilities, and devising innovative ways to infiltrate systems. Cybersecurity analysts must stay informed about the latest threats and trends to be able to effectively identify, prevent, and respond to these challenges. Cybersecurity Analysts must be committed to continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the cybersecurity industry. By committing to a habit of continuous learning, analysts can ensure they are well-equipped to protect organizations and individuals from the increasingly sophisticated cyber threats that.
Cybersecurity analysts play a crucial role in today’s organizations. It is a challenging and rewarding career path with potential for growth. We hope this article provided some insight into what a cybersecurity analyst does, what their responsibilities are and what skills they would require to succeed.
Kickstart Your Cybersecurity Career
If you’re thinking about becoming a cybersecurity analyst, join our free ‘Entering Cybersecurity’ information session here. We share more about the industry, career paths and how Centre For Cybersecurity can assist you in kickstarting your cybersecurity career.
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