How to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst

Recently, we discussed what you can do with a degree in cybersecurity, what type of jobs you can get, and why you should consider getting your degree in the field. 

Here, we’ll discuss how to launch your career as a cybersecurity analyst, which is one of the most respected and best jobs in the cybersecurity industry. 

This post will detail why you should consider starting a career as a cybersecurity analyst, what you will be doing in this role, why you should get a degree in cybersecurity before starting your job search, and what you can do to improve your chances of achieving success in this challenging and competitive industry. 

After you’ve learned everything there is to know about becoming a cybersecurity analyst, please fill out our information request form to learn more about our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, which is the perfect program for developing the types of skills and abilities you’ll need to succeed in this competitive field.

If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

What Is Cybersecurity and Why Is It Important?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer networks from unauthorized access to important data and digital assets. Cybersecurity professionals are responsible for implementing security practices within their organizations to protect against various cyber threats.

The digital threats that cybersecurity experts protect organizations from typically originate from outside an organization and are most often an attempt to gain access to data, destroy data, or change sensitive information. 

As a cybersecurity analyst, your core job responsibility will be to prevent these sorts of digital attacks from impacting the systems and databases that you’re responsible for protecting. 

Some specific examples of cybersecurity applications include:

• In Software & Internet Services – Some software-focused companies conduct all their business online and thus need to guarantee that their customers’ information, systems, and services are protected against various cyberattacks.
• In Manufacturing – Critical infrastructure, like power grids and manufacturing plants are managed by large companies that employ cybersecurity experts to prevent cyberattacks from happening.
• In Banking & Financial Services – Cybersecurity processes and systems prevent hackers from accessing customers’ payment and banking information, as well as stopping them from making unauthorized transactions.
• In Retail & Wholesale – Cybersecurity techniques are used to keep customer information safe and secure. 

As the list above makes clear, cybersecurity principles and best practices are used across a wide variety of industries, and as more businesses move into the digital world, the need for cybersecurity experts will continue to grow.

Is Becoming a Cybersecurity Analyst a Good Career Option?

Yes, becoming a cybersecurity analyst is an excellent career option for anyone looking to do interesting and important work in a challenging environment.

There are many reasons to consider getting into this industry, but three of the most compelling include:

• Cybersecurity analysts act as the first line of defense against harmful cyberattacks. They play an incredibly important part in helping to stop cybercrime, breaches, and attacks.
• Salaries for top industry positions within the cybersecurity field are excellent, making it a great field for a lifelong career.
• Between 2020 and 2030 the BLS is forecasting incredibly strong growth of 33% for the position of Information Security Analyst, a role which is very similar to a Cybersecurity Analyst.

If you’re looking to step into a role that is highly technical and you want to work in an industry that is set for explosive growth in the coming years, then becoming a cybersecurity analyst may be a great fit for you.

What Do Cybersecurity Analysts Actually Do?

When you become a cybersecurity analyst, you’ll get to work with various software programs and applications used to identify potential cyber threats and block them from reaching company servers or important information.

Typical tasks for cybersecurity analysts include:

• Evaluating compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Installing, managing, and updating various security software, such as firewalls and encryptions to ensure that systems are up to date.
• Conducting internal and external security audits, as well as risk assessments to evaluate vulnerabilities and determine the readiness of security systems.
• Assessing attacks or unauthorized access to identify the cause and origin of security breaches.
• Performing vulnerability testing and risk analysis functions to evaluate current security threats and identify where improvements could be made.
• Designing, implementing, and evaluating computing-based solutions to meet a given set of requirements.

The role of a cybersecurity analyst requires you to first develop a deep understanding of complex cybersecurity systems and procedures, meaning this is certainly not a job that one can step into without prior training. 

If you’re looking to break into the industry, you’re first going to need to develop advanced skills and abilities before any organization would consider hiring you as a cybersecurity analyst.

The best way to develop the skills needed for this industry is to get your degree in cybersecurity.

What Skills & Abilities Are Needed to Become a Successful Cybersecurity Analyst?

To succeed in landing a job in this competitive and challenging industry, there are several important skills that you will need to develop.

According to Indeed.com you should focus on developing these important skills:

• Technology Skills – As a cybersecurity expert you will be required to complete complex technology-focused tasks, like building a cloud system, creating access software, coding, or installing firewalls. Ensuring you have strong technology skills will be critical for success in this role. 
• Data Management and Analysis Skills – As more business is done digitally, businesses are accumulating vast amounts of data from inside and outside their organizations. As a cybersecurity professional, it will be your responsibility to create the systems which compile and protect this data.
• Communication Skills – As you’re working through problems, assessing risks, or updating systems, you’ll need to communicate these functions to management and other departments who may not have the same technical vocabulary and experience. Having strong communication skills will ensure you can communicate these complex concepts clearly.
• Cloud Implementation and Management Skills – Cyber security experts need to be knowledgeable of cloud computing systems and processes, including monitoring access and ensuring the company’s data storage and sharing process is secure within common cloud providers. Many companies are beginning to conduct business on the cloud and cybersecurity experts will be responsible for keeping this data safe from various cyber threats.
• Critical Thinking Skills – Cybersecurity tasks will require you to analyze large sets of complicated data, and you will be expected to use this data to determine what could go wrong and how to properly mitigate cybersecurity threats, so practice with critical thinking is going to be incredibly important to your career.

The best way to build the important skills and foundational knowledge needed to become a cybersecurity analyst is to complete a relevant degree, such as CSU Global’s Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity. 

Our completely online program was built to provide you with everything you need to begin a successful career in this competitive industry.

Completing our program will increase your odds of accumulating the experience, foundational knowledge, and abilities needed to deliver real-world value to any business from your first day on the job.

Do I Need a Degree to Get a Job in This Industry?

Not necessarily, however, getting your degree in cybersecurity could significantly increase your odds of getting one of the best jobs in the industry. 

When companies are looking for cybersecurity professionals, they often expect applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field.

By completing our Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity you can send a clear signal that you’ve got all the required skills and abilities needed to launch a successful career in the industry. 

And if you’re not totally sure about getting into the cybersecurity field, then you may want to consider our  Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology or our Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science as other potential starting points for a high-tech career. 

Completing any of these programs will show employers that you have the necessary skills and experience needed to be successful in a challenging, complex, and important role.

How Will CSU Global’s B.S in Cybersecurity Help Prepare me for a Career as a Cybersecurity Analyst?

Our 100% online Bachelor’s Program in Cybersecurity focuses on training you to handle the critical job responsibilities of cybersecurity analysts, including tasks like:

• Monitoring emerging threats to assess risk levels and to identify necessary actions used to protect sensitive data and assets.
• Establishing and achieving security metrics to ensure cybersecurity systems and applications are operating properly and efficiently.
• Analyzing complex computer systems to identify problems and apply sound principles of computing to identify possible solutions.
• Communicating with other business units and company executives to clearly explain current risks and possible mitigation strategies.
• Reverse engineering threats or attacks to understand how the threat infiltrated the system, and to determine security steps used to prevent it from happening again.

As a student in our program, you’ll be given the opportunity to develop all the skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed as a cybersecurity analyst, as we’ll train you to:

• Implement cybersecurity best practices to protect data and information from various cyber threats.
• Differentiate and apply various information security models, and evaluate which model is best suited for different situations.
• Evaluate and mitigate network vulnerabilities.
• Analyze and understand different ethical and legal issues surrounding information security practices and methodologies.
• Compile important data to communicate security threats to business partners in clear and concise terms. 

With the foundational knowledge and essential skills at your fingertips, you will be well prepared to succeed in this competitive, challenging, and fast growing industry. 

Earning your degree at CSU Global could play an incredibly important role in helping to kickstart your career in the field. 

What Else Can I Do to Increase My Chances of Success? 

Earning a degree in cybersecurity is definitely the best way to prepare for a successful career, but it is not the only thing you can do to increase your chances of success. 

According to springboard.com completing various cybersecurity certifications could help you build essential skills and develop the practical experience you need to build a compelling resume. 

Springboard explains that the work you’ll do in a certification program will allow you to strengthen your skills and prove to potential employers that you’ve mastered the required skills and abilities needed to succeed in this role. 

They suggest considering the following cybersecurity-focused certification programs:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
• Security+
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

To be clear, you don’t necessarily need to complete a certification program to get a job as a cybersecurity analyst, however, this industry is incredibly competitive, so it may help you get your foot in the door.

The amount of time and effort you put into developing your skills, abilities, and academic qualifications could not only help you get hired but also make it easier for you to deliver real value once you’ve been hired into this challenging role.

Should I Get My Degree in Cybersecurity Online?

Yes, regardless of what degree or certification you decide to pursue, we suggest getting your academic credentials online instead of in person.

Studying online allows for greater flexibility and it’s a much more efficient way to earn your degree. 

In fact, pursuing your education at CSU Global will give you access to many important benefits, including:

• No requirements to show up at set times or in physical locations.
• Monthly class starts.
• Accelerated courses.

These benefits are especially helpful to those who have other important commitments in their life, such as work or family responsibilities. 

If your schedule will require flexibility to ensure that you can complete schoolwork or attend classes, then you couldn’t pick a better program than ours.

Why Should I Choose CSU Global’s Cybersecurity Program?

Our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity was designed to provide you with everything you need to launch a successful career as a cybersecurity analyst.

This program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which ensures that your degree will be recognized and respected by companies looking to hire competent cybersecurity professionals.

Our program is also widely recognized as one of the best programs in the industry, as it currently holds several excellent rankings, including:

• A #3 ranking on Top 10 Online Cyber Security Undergraduate Certificate Programs for 2021 from Security Degree Hub.
• A #10 ranking on Best Online Cyber Security Degree Programs of 2022 from Intelligent.

This program’s curriculum will allow you to study and gain competence in the areas associated with the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam, as well as prepare you for other highly regarded certifications in the field.

CSU Global itself is also widely accepted as an industry leader in higher education, having recently received several impressive rankings, including:

• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
• A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Finally, we offer affordable tuition rates, and a Tuition Guarantee that confirms your tuition rate won’t increase as long as you remain enrolled with us.

To get additional details about our fully-accredited online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now