How to Successfully Become a Cyber Security Analyst in 2023 (Step-By-Step Guide)

The need for cybersecurity is at an all-time high. Nearly 48.8% of C-suite professionals expect the size and number of cyber events that can affect their organization to increase. In the last 12 months, 34.5% of organizations were affected by cyber adversaries. Enterprises worldwide are looking forward to strengthening their cybersecurity measures. They need cybersecurity analysts to stop malicious attacks that could paralyze the entire operation.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for cybersecurity analyst jobs will increase by 35% from 2021 to 2031. Apart from a high salary and remote working opportunities, this in-demand job is more interesting as it gives you a chance to impact the world positively.

Whether you are a student, a recent graduate, a working professional seeking a career change, or already an experienced individual in the cybersecurity industry, you can cultivate your core technical skills and transition into the role of a cybersecurity analyst. If you’re interested in a rewarding, well-compensated job, mastering the path to becoming a cybersecurity analyst should be your top priority.

What Does a Cyber Security Analyst Do?

If you want to walk down the cybersecurity analyst career path, you must first know what the job entails. The primary purpose of a cybersecurity analyst is to defend the networks and systems of the company from any online threat. You must know the risk mitigation strategies to detect, avoid, and overcome cyber events.

As a cybersecurity analyst, you must explore the latest IT trends, monitor suspicious activity, identify security breaches, create backup plans for cyber events, and train other teams to adhere to safety precautions. You will essentially be responsible for building a wall of protection encompassing an organization’s IT environment and infrastructure.

To become an expert in the field, you must think like a hacker and follow the latest hacking advancements to familiarize yourself with the latest digital weapons of hackers. Updating your knowledge about the newest hacking technologies and tactics is crucial to creating proactive cybersecurity measures.

Steps to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst

Embark on a rewarding journey as a Cybersecurity Analyst in 2023 with our comprehensive step-by-step guide. Discover the key steps and essential tips to build a successful career in this dynamic field. Let’s dive in!

#1 Complete Your Education

Enterprises expect cybersecurity analysts to have a strong educational background. A cybersecurity bachelor’s degree will make it simpler for you to find entry-level jobs. A similar degree in information technology, computer science, or math can also get you closer to your dream of landing a cybersecurity analyst job.

If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you can participate in cybersecurity boot camps that provide accelerated and immersive training to prepare students for tech jobs. These courses are intensive, and you must focus on completing such programs first before looking for work in the cybersecurity field.

#2 Get Cybersecurity Certification

The most popular and widely acclaimed cybersecurity analyst certifications are:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Widely recognized as a benchmark in the industry, CISSP validates your expertise in information security and opens doors to various job opportunities.
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+): It focuses on threat detection, analysis, and response in real-world cybersecurity scenarios. With CySA+, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge to proactively defend against cyber threats, identify vulnerabilities, and protect valuable data assets.
• CompTIA Security+: Ideal for beginners, this certification covers essential security concepts and practical skills, making it a great starting point for aspiring cybersecurity analysts.
• CISM: Certified Information Security Manager: Geared towards managerial roles, CISM certifies your ability to develop and manage robust information security programs within organizations.

Various other entry-level certification programs will teach you all the basics of cybersecurity and qualify and certify you to enter the vast cybersecurity field. You can choose specific areas of expertise, such as cloud security, network security, ethical hacking, etc., and get certified to land one of the cybersecurity jobs.

If you already have experience in the cybersecurity sector, you can complete advanced courses to move ahead in your professional career.

#3 Learn Cybersecurity Skills

Cybersecurity analysts need to have a strong technological background. You will be responsible for the entire organization’s network application, information, and operational security.

Some of the in-demand cybersecurity skills in 2023 are:

• Ethical hacking
• Cloud Security
• Computer forensics
• Blockchain security
• Programming skills
• IoT security
• Automation using scripting
• Knowledge of networks and frameworks

Apart from the technical skills, you must also have a keen eye to continuously monitor for changes in enterprise systems. Organizations also look for cybersecurity analysts with the following non-technical skills:

• Communication skills 
• Collaboration 
• Risk management 
• Problem solving 
• Critical thinking and adaptability
• Stress management

If you come from an information technology or computer science background, you already have a foundation in technical skills. As long as you are interested in fighting against hackers, you can always acquire these technical skills through specialized cybersecurity analyst training.  

#4 Gain Relevant Work Experience

Due to the high demand for cybersecurity professionals, there are many entry-level job opportunities for cybersecurity analysts. Possessing the necessary credentials will qualify you for low-level information technology roles. You can also look for internships to get hands-on experience in cybersecurity.

You will become qualified for advanced roles as you gain experience and work at various entry-level positions. Cybersecurity is a highly dynamic sector, and you will learn more from real-world experiences where you must thwart security risks within a short duration to ensure data protection and integrity.

#5 Build a Strong Network

Having the right certifications can open the door to a rewarding career in cybersecurity. If you’re a professional aiming for growth in this field, it’s essential to build a strong network of experts and peers.

There are various ways to do this, such as: 

• Attending events
• Becoming a member of professional organizations
• Joining local cybersecurity networks 
• Connecting with like-minded individuals on social media 

These steps can significantly enhance your career opportunities.  

Participating in cybersecurity meetings and conferences is also highly beneficial. These events offer opportunities to find mentors who can guide you and help you stay updated with the latest technologies in the industry.

By forming meaningful connections within the cybersecurity community, you can gain valuable insights from the experiences of others and give your career a powerful boost.

#6 Develop a Cybersecurity Mindset

The key differentiator for any cybersecurity professional is their risk-management strategy. Understanding a cyber attack’s potential impact will help you protect enterprise assets. Recruiters look for professionals with a cybersecurity mindset and knowledge of best practices in the industry.

Developing online hyper-vigilance is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity. As hybrid workplaces and the IoT become increasingly common, enterprise assets are distributed both virtually and physically. The cybersecurity team must ensure that all digital assets and data remain safe and secure.

Cybersecurity professionals must understand access control, password management, multi-factor authentication, ransomware, malware, phishing attacks, etc., to operate, configure, and distribute Wi-Fi, VPNs, emails, and other resources. Professionals looking for a career in cybersecurity must understand the importance of cybersecurity drills.

#7 Stay Informed with Latest Trends and Advancement

Continuous training and education are essential for cybersecurity professionals because the industry constantly evolves. Every year, cybersecurity trends change as hackers improve their attack methodologies. In 2023, AI and ML in cybersecurity are trending as security professionals look for ways to mitigate threats using predictive algorithms.

The cost of cybercrime is projected to reach $10.5 trillion in 2025, and enterprises are keen on investing in professionals who can save them from damage. Irrespective of your industry experience, you must undergo training programs and participate in industry forums to hone your skills for becoming a cybersecurity analyst.

#8 Apply for Jobs & Prepare for Interview

Finding the right job as a cybersecurity professional is not hard if you have the right skills, professional experience, and validating certificates. You can use popular job boards such as Indeed, LinkedIn, etc, and search for cybersecurity jobs.

Some of the most common openings for cybersecurity professionals are:

• Cybersecurity Analyst 
• IT Security Analyst 
• Security Tester 
• Network Security Engineer 
• IT Auditor
• Information Security Consultant
• Chief Information Security Officer 

You must highlight your core technical skills and mention all the cybersecurity tools you have used. Certification courses that you have successfully completed will add more value to your resume. 

Below are some of the tips that will help you in securing a job as a cybersecurity analyst: 

• Create a professional resume highlighting your key strengths 
• Quote relevant work experience  
• Revisit cybersecurity training material to refresh your memory
• Research the company you are applying for
• Prepare answers for the most common cybersecurity analyst interview questions 
• Arrive early for your interview and follow a professional dress code 
• Answer your questions calmly and articulate your thoughts clearly 
• Ask questions to the recruiter that shows your interest in the job 

#9 Get Experience and Advance Your Career

The cybersecurity industry is booming, and you can grow to become a cybersecurity manager even if you start as an entry-level network administrator. You must focus on developing your core IT skills and focus on professional development by getting the necessary certifications in cybersecurity.

When you start as a security engineer, you can become a security architect, managing the whole security infrastructure. If you complete specific certification programs, you can become an incident response expert, penetration tester, or ethical hacker.

Later, by gaining work experience, you can become a cybersecurity consultant to provide advanced security recommendations. If you continue to go down the cybersecurity analyst career path, you can become Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the highest security role in an organization.

Conclusion

As interconnectivity and availability of environment, applications, and data are the need of the hour, protecting them is of utmost importance for organizations. Enterprises need to develop proactive cybersecurity strategies for risk mitigation.

The demand for cybersecurity professionals will continue to increase in the future. Apart from gaining relevant educational qualifications and work experience, you must also focus on continuous learning through training and certification programs to sharpen your cybersecurity skills and become a successful professional. Looking for cybersecurity analyst career advice? Contact us and upgrade your skills to secure a job in the trending cybersecurity sector. Are you looking for cybersecurity training for your tech team? Check our Level Up 360° program for custom-tailored enterprise training solutions.

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