What is a cyber security analyst?
A cyber security analysts job is to protect their organisation's data from cyber threats. They do this by detecting, preventing, and managing possible threats as they arise.
Qualifications
To become a cyber security analyst you will need an undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
Relevant fields to cyber security include:
- Computer science
- Information technology
- Engineering (especially in software or electrical engineering)
- Mathematics
- Physics
Postgraduate cyber security qualifications or certifications aren't essential to get a job as a cyber security analyst but can be helpful for those looking to specialise or gain further expertise.
I enjoyed the hands on approach to most of the modules such as penetration testing to find vulnerabilities in old computer systems, and computer security. My ideal career now would be to work at GCHQ.
Work experience and internships
Gaining experience is an important aspect to getting your first role in cyber security, and in progressing your career. You can gain experience through:
- Professional certifications, like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and CISM
- Cyber security bootcamps, like with think employment
- Internships, which you can get by checking job boards, like Bright Network, DevITJobs, and ITJobBoard
- Working in an entry-level IT role, like an IT support specialist, help desk technician, or a technical support analyst
What does a cyber security analyst do?
Your day-to-day responsibilities may change depending on your chosen sector of cyber security. But typically, the daily tasks you'll work on as a cyber security analyst are:
Salary and job roles in cyber security
| Career progression level | Job title(s) | Salary (per year) |
|---|---|---|
|
Entry-level (Zero to three years experience) |
|
Approx £40,000 (According to Bristow Holland) |
|
Mid-level (Three to seven years experience) |
|
From £47,500 to £60,000 (According to PROSPECTS) |
|
Senior-level (Over seven to 10 years experience) |
|
From £80,000 (According to Bristow Holland) |
Types of cyber security
While pursuing your interest in cyber security you may want to specialise your knowledge even further. According to UK Cyber Security Council, there are 15 specialisms in cyber security.
The top five most popular and in-demand specialisms of these 15 are:
