Recently, we explained why cybersecurity is so important, how it actually works, and what you can do for work after earning a bachelor’s degree in the field. 

Today, we’ll discuss how to get one of the best jobs in the industry, the role of a cybersecurity analyst. 

Cybersecurity analysts play an incredibly important role in protecting and securing systems, data, software, hardware, and networks from various cyberthreats by developing protocols used to respond to and mitigate the dangers of potential cyber attacks. 

Cybersecurity analysts are at the frontlines of protecting critical digital assets, making this an important and interesting job.

In this post, we’ll explain why you should consider becoming a cybersecurity analyst, what you would be responsible for in this role, why you should get your degree before starting your job search, and what you can do to help improve your odds of launching a successful career in the field. 

After you’ve learned everything there is to know about becoming a cybersecurity analyst, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity.

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

What is Cybersecurity and Why Is It Important? 

Cybersecurity, also known as information technology (IT) security, is a technical discipline focused on protecting systems, programs, and networks from digital attacks. 

The digital threats cybersecurity experts protect organizations from typically originate from outside an organization and usually look to access, destroy, or change sensitive information. 

As a cybersecurity analyst, your core job responsibility will be to prevent these digital attacks from happening. 

Some specific examples of cybersecurity applications include:

  • In Financial Services - Cybersecurity is used to prevent hackers from accessing customers' payment and banking information, as well as preventing them from making unauthorized transactions.
  • In Manufacturing - Large manufacturing companies operate critical infrastructure and rely on cybersecurity experts to prevent cyberattacks from gaining control over heavy machinery and other assets.
  • In Healthcare - Hospitals and other medical facilities rely on cybersecurity professionals to ensure patient information is stored securely.
  • In Government - Government organizations monitor threats and international cybersecurity issues to protect a variety of critical systems, programs, and technologies.

As the list above makes clear, cybersecurity principles and practices are used in a wide variety of industries.

Is Becoming a Cybersecurity Analyst a Good Career Option?

Yes, the role of a cybersecurity analyst is a great career option for anybody interested in applying cutting-edge technology to protect important digital assets, systems, technology, and information.

There are three great reasons to think about becoming a cybersecurity analyst, including:

  1. Cybersecurity analysts act as the frontline between harmful cyberattacks that could result in serious damage. In this role, you will play an incredibly important part in helping to stop cyber breaches, attacks, and crime. 
  2. This is an excellent career for anyone looking to earn a highly respectable salary, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average 2020 median pay for cybersecurity analysts is $103,590 annually. 
  3. The BLS is also forecasting incredibly strong growth of 33% for this position between 2020 and 2030.

If you’re interested in a technology-focused career and you want to enter an industry that will see robust growth for many years to come then becoming a cybersecurity analyst might be the perfect role for you. 

What Do Cybersecurity Analysts Actually Do?

When becoming a cybersecurity analyst you'll be asked to work with various software programs and applications used to identify, analyze, and stop potential cyberthreats from gaining access to company servers or important information.

Typical tasks for cybersecurity analysts include:

  • Performing vulnerability testing and risk analysis functions to evaluate current security threats and identify where improvements could be made.
  • 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.

The job of a cybersecurity analyst requires advanced technical skills and knowledge, and this is definitely not a role you can step into successfully without previous training. 

If you want to start your career in the cybersecurity industry, you’re going to need to develop a set of advanced skills and abilities before any employer will give you a chance to become 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 successfully land a job in this highly competitive industry, there are several critical skills that you will need to develop.

According to Simplilearn, you should focus on developing these important skills:

  1. Network and System Administration Skills - You will need to have a strong understanding of networking best practices so you can implement data transmission techniques used to help secure data. You’ll also need system administration skills to successfully configure and maintain computer programs.
  2. Mastery of Operating Systems and Virtual Machines - As a cybersecurity analyst you will most likely have to work with multiple different operating systems such as Windows, Linux, or Mac OS. You must be able to secure and identify vulnerabilities for each system.
  3. Network Security Control Skills - Ensuring you have a deep understanding of different network control applications such as firewalls, encryptions, and virtual private networks (VPN) will be important to preventing cyberattacks and performing accurate risk analysis tasks.
  4. Coding Skills - Cybersecurity analysts have to understand, develop, and maintain the underlying code many cybersecurity applications and programs run on including C++, Python, HTML, SQL, and many others. Being comfortable working with different coding software will be extremely important as a cybersecurity analyst.
  5. Cloud Security Skills - Because of the trend of moving operations and information into the cloud, cybersecurity analysts must be able to build security processes and applications that can successfully function in a cloud-based environment. 

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.

Finishing our program ensures you’ll have the experience and confidence needed to deliver immediate value to any organization as a cybersecurity analyst.

Do I Really Need a Degree in Cybersecurity to Get a Job in The Industry?

Although you may not need a degree in cybersecurity, successfully completing one could substantially increase your chances of getting one of the most sought-after jobs in the industry.

MyComputerCareer explains that the majority of companies looking to hire in the cybersecurity field are looking for applicants who have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. 

CSU Global’s Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity is an excellent option for anyone who is interested in cybersecurity and still needs to get their undergraduate degree. This program is also perfect for those who may already have a bachelor’s degree, but who are looking to gain more relevant cybersecurity-focused experience. 

Completing this program 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:

  • Analyzing complex computer systems to identify problems and apply sound principles of computing to identify possible solutions.
  • Applying security principles and best practices to maintain operations in the midst of ongoing threats or attacks.
  • 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.

In our program, you’ll be given the chance to develop all the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful 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. 

Your Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity from CSU Global could play a critical role in helping land your first job in the field by equipping you with the foundational knowledge and important skills required to launch your career. 

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

The work you do in a certification program will give you experience working with specific software programs, making you a more competitive job applicant. 

Cybersecurityguide.org suggests considering the following cybersecurity certification programs:

  • ISC2’s Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Designation.
  • ISC2’s Certified Cloud Security Professional Designation.
  • EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH) Certificate.
  • CompTIA’s CompTIA Security+ Certificate. 

While you don’t necessarily need to complete a certification program to land a job as a cybersecurity analyst, this is a very competitive industry so you should consider them to help make your application stand out.

Putting this extra time in to develop the critical skills, abilities, and academic qualifications may help you get hired, while also making it easier for you to provide real value to any organization from your first day on the job..

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 completely online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity was designed to provide you with everything you will need to begin a successful career as a cybersecurity analyst.

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

Our program is also broadly recognized as one of the top programs in the industry, as it’s earned several impressive rankings, including:

  • A #3 ranking on Top 10 Onlne 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.

Our curriculum will allow you to develop the knowledge and competence in areas that will be tested on the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam, as well as helping to prepare you for other important cybersecurity certifications.

And your academic credentials are sure to be respected in the workforce, as CSU Global itself holds 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 promises your affordable 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!