If you choose to become an Information Security Analyst, you are on the way to a promising career. The process of becoming a security analyst involves some preparation and plenty of training, but every minute you spend in qualifying for it will be worthy. Before acknowledging the process of becoming a security analyst let’s know more about security analyst.
Information Security Analyst – Definition
Your bank transactions, personal data, organization’s information, and many other details are present in the mode of data that are stocked somewhere in the digital platform. This data is always in danger, and there is an urgent need for security.
The great news is there are experts and talented people who are fighting at the back of the screen to establish security for corporate, personal and national data.
Information Security Analyst is a computer specialist who is liable for safeguarding computer networks of government or a company. They regularly investigate an organization’s network, system, digital communication, and applications to keep an eye on security breaches or exposure and, where essential, amend or diminish them. They are an integral part of any organization’s Technology Department.
They regularly adjust to stay a point ahead of hackers and educate themselves on the recent methods hackers are using to attack system and network. This includes attending conferences on cybersecurity to listen to the report of others who have been attacked by any new kind of attack and reading disclosure to keep an eye on ongoing movement in the security of information.
Steps Needed to Become an Information Security Analyst
Generally, an Information Security Analyst is required to earn a bachelor’s degree in CS (computer science), engineering or programming. A report said that almost 65% security analyst holds a bachelor’s degree, 23% have a master’s degree, and 11% have finished college, but they don’t have a degree. In today’s competing skilled force, a degree doesn’t give the security of a job to a person, but it raises the chances to earn an interview.
The first level is earning an associate’s degree, which helps you master data security, computer network administration, and cyber law. In 2-year degree program, enrolled students learn how to apply security protocols on the network, identify and fix possible security violation, follow regulations and work with the team in a business environment.
The student learns to specialize in Information system security in the bachelor’s degree program, which is designed to coach students on how to be a skilled IT professional. This course contains methods for building guarded database and examination of strategies for protecting data and their utilization that is saved online.
A master’s degree level is the next level and offers specialization in information security. You can learn how to implement, construct and regulate the numerous data system that can affect the decision-making strategies.
According to BLS (Bureau of labor statistics), this industry is in the growth phase which predicts that around 27, 500 jobs will be available through 2022. This measure to a 37% rise which is much rapid compared to an average. The average annual salary as per BLS site in May 2012 was $86,170 with only a bachelor’s degree and lower than five years experience. In 2012, the best professionals in this field earned an average of $135,600 and the minimum paid average was $49,960.
Mostly, Information Security Analyst works full time. In case of an emergency, they have to work aside from their regular business hours.
Here are some skills you should have or plan to expand:
- Understand how to layout and enact perimeter security control and protection, content filters, detection, and prevention.
- Understand access controls, authorization and authentication, identity management and proper use of privileges and rights.
- Motivation skills, great time management, and a multi-tasker.
- A skilled communicator in both (verbal and written).
- Enact remedies and cure and perform audits with best auditing procedures and practice.
Certifications Required
Security analyst must think about having one or two certificates to prove their skills and expertise in the profession and get the attention of the employer. Some important ones, a security analyst, must have are:
- Certified Ethical Hacker – The CEH certification recognizes your capabilities to legally employ your knowledge and gear as a vicious hacker to develop an organization’s safety posture.
- CompTIA Network+ – It is a certificate that authorizes your expertise and knowledge on designing, running, constructing and troubleshooting network.
- CWAPT (Certified Penetration Tester) – Certifies that you know how to execute web penetration testing.
- Certified information system security professional – A CISSP Certification is superior level certificate for an expert who looks for a full-time job as an Information Security Analyst.
Roles and Responsibilities of an Information Security Analyst!
Information Security Analyst plays a critical role in the field of cyber security. Demand for these professionals is rising, and it is becoming difficult to fill positions. With the increase in security violation and hacking activities, the Information Security Analysts are needed in every organization as their sensitive data is at stake. Role of a security analyst comes with a level of stress, but it also gives opportunities for better salary prospects.
Security Analyst is eventually responsible for keeping an organization’s digital data protected from unauthorized contact. They are also accountable for producing reports for IT officers and managers to calculate the efficiency of the policies. Other particular responsibilities consist of:
- Implement, design and enhance security measures and regulations.
- Manage data and observe security access.
- Establish strategy and protocols to secure digital documents and files.
- Conduct audits – external and internal.
- Examine the security violation to conclude their primary cause.
- Give the training to associate employee insecurity alertness and methods.
- Manage the prevention system and network.
- Define, carry out, and preserve security policies.
Security of data is as crucial to the country’s safety as it is to organizations. When considering the enhancement of safety protocols within an organisation, comprehensive training stands out as a critical component. Enrolling in a course that focuses on proficiently directing safety and health responsibilities in the workplace can dramatically improve overall safety standards. This kind of training, particularly an IOSH Managing Safely course, delves into risk control and proactive safety planning. It’s an essential step for anyone responsible for managing workplace risks. Cyber attacks are present everywhere. FBI has dedicated huge assets to shield and sustain the country’s security. Like FBI, an organization’s Information Security Analyst acts as the internal law implementation agent to shelter the particular company’s papers and secret data.