5 Tips to Get Started As a Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts (CSA) are important for any business since their core job is to protect the organization’s network from all kinds of cyberattacks. As a cybersecurity analyst, you’re required to innovate security protocols to ensure any loopholes are identified and nerfed to nullify cyberattacks.

In other words, if you want to pursue your career as a cybersecurity analyst, you need to be aware of the nitty-gritty of networks, security protocols, and prevention methods against network anomalies.

If you’re determined and want to get started as one, then here’s a definite guide on everything. This post covers everything you need to kick-start your journey. 

Analyst vs. Engineer – Know the Difference

Most people often confuse the roles of a cybersecurity analyst and a cybersecurity engineer. Note that these two are different professions with different roles but the same goal.

To cut it short, a cybersecurity analyst monitors and responds to cyber threats, whereas a cybersecurity engineer designs, implements, and maintains the network infrastructure.

Some may also compare a cybersecurity analyst with an information security analyst. However, an information security analyst is focused on actions regarding the organization’s data, including modification, security, and access controls.

Pro Tip:

To succeed as a cyber-security analyst, you must protect yourself first. An internet connection like Xfinity offers secure, high-speed connectivity. Subscribing to Xfinity Internet plans also allow you to stay updated on industry trends, participate in online trainings, and conduct threat research. 

Getting Started as a Cybersecurity Analyst

In order to embark on the journey to becoming a professional cybersecurity analyst, here are the core metrics that you need to fulfill:

1. Developing the Right Skillset

Cybersecurity is all about practical work, and employing your knowledge in practicality is the basis of being a good cybersecurity analyst. Therefore, you need to develop your skills in various industries.

Each industry has a different network infrastructure and needs personalized solutions that cater to its security needs. The skills that are required include:

• Risk management

• Threat intelligence

• Information assurance 

• Programming (has to be updated according to the network’s requirement)

• Data storage and management

• Incident response

You can either acquire these skills through online courses or enroll in cybersecurity courses from a reputed educational institute. Acquiring Certifications

The reason why you need to acquire skills is to improve your technical knowledge, which will eventually help in earning certifications. Certifications are like final exams, clearing them ensures that you have the knowledge and the skills to work for a company and improve their network’s security. Here are some of the major certifications that you need to acquire:

• CompTIA Security+: exam for validating baseline skills needed to enter the field (or for transitioning). Beginners and professionals can apply.

• CompTIA CySA+: exam for testing behavioral analytics in networks for dealing with cyberattacks (includes prevention, detection, and combating).  

• CompTIA Network+: knowledge and skill-based exam on various network operations including troubleshooting, configuring, managing, and organizational networks.

Acquiring these certifications can attest to your knowledge and skills in dealing with network attacks.

2. Researching the Industry

While you’re developing your skills and acquiring certifications, you should not stop researching the industry. What are the major cyber threats faced by the companies? What are the different ways hackers are exploiting network securities? What languages are the most dependable when configuring networks?

You can only get answers to these questions when you research the industry. A good way of doing this is to get connected to like-minded people, particularly the ones from your preferred domain.

Networking with cybersecurity analysts can help you not only improve your knowledge but also get a direction for improvements. This is an ever-evolving industry and staying up to date with the right standards will only increase your chances of becoming successful in this field.

3. Getting Started with Entry-Level Jobs

If you think you can get a great job managing the entire network of an organization, then stop dreaming. As much as certifications are important, experience counts a lot, and without practical experience, no company will risk hiring you.

Therefore, you need to start applying for entry-level jobs after acquiring your initial certifications. Some of these include internships or even openings to titles such as:

• Information security analyst

• Junior cybersecurity analyst

• Network security analyst

• It security administrator

Applying to these jobs will help you utilize your skills and knowledge practically. Moreover, with your superiors, you can get a guideline on what direction should you take in your career i.e., work as an incident response professional or scripting and configuration expert.

4. Deciding the Career Path

When you’ve started your career and have finally gained experience as a cybersecurity professional, you need to find the right career path to explore. Note that you should not stop learning or honing your skills at any point since it’s an evolving industry.

That being said, here are some of the potential career paths that can be explored:

• Penetration tester

• Cybersecurity consultant

• Cybersecurity manager/ administrator

• Cybersecurity architect

• Information security officer

These careers are based on the knowledge, skills, and certifications acquired in the journey, and can be quite lucrative for the future.

Benefits of Being a Cybersecurity Analyst

While the journey might be tough, being a cybersecurity analyst comes with great benefits and perks, such as:

• Great salaries (above $100k annually)

• High demand

• Great career progression

• Self-employment options (can work as a consultant for multiple firms)

• Continuous learning

So, if you’re thinking of becoming a cybersecurity analyst, following the steps above will aid you in paving a solid path to success!