What does a cybersecurity analyst do?
Often working with fraud detection and prevention tools, cybersecurity analysts monitor and assess security alarms, as well as suspicious or unusual activity. They create security systems which respond well to new security risks as they emerge and create contingency plans in the case of major security breaches.
Cybersecurity analysts often step into the role of the cybercriminal themselves, looking for weaknesses in a company’s defence. This is known as penetration testing. Once they have identified any risks, they work to build or implement security systems which either remove or mitigate these security risks.
Sometimes they may also be responsible for training staff in basic cybersecurity best practices. This could involve training staff in spotting phishing tactics and protecting sensitive personal data.
Cybersecurity analyst skills and qualifications
A successful cybersecurity analyst candidate may have skills such as:
- Knowledge of cybersecurity tools such as hardware and software
- The ability to write and present clear technical reports
- Attention to detail when looking for suspicious activity or security alarms
- Working well under pressure, particularly when responding to alerts
Cybersecurity analyst experience requirements
When creating a cybersecurity analyst engineer job description, it can be useful to look for specific work and educational experience requirements which match the role. Many employers choose to offer graduate positions and train candidates fresh out of university. They typically select candidates with a degree background in cybersecurity or computer science. However, for more senior cybersecurity analyst roles, they may need 2+ years of experience in the same role and industry.
Businesses may wish to search for a cybersecurity analyst with freelance experience. Some businesses hire a freelance cybersecurity analyst to provide advice on how to build better security systems or train their staff in the technology. However, larger businesses may require a permanent cybersecurity analyst, particularly those operating in finance or e-commerce industries.
Cybersecurity analyst education and training requirements
Cybersecurity analysts typically have a strong background in cybersecurity, network security, maths, physics, computer science or another degree relating to computing systems. Some candidates may have taken a degree apprenticeship in a relevant field. Candidates may have certifications from the National Cyber Security Centre, as they provide a range of degree apprenticeships and masters qualifications.
Some businesses take on candidates from a wide range of degree backgrounds, provided they have a professional and personal interest in cybersecurity. While master’s degrees might make candidates more competitive, some businesses sponsor their employees to take a master’s degree to gain more advanced cybersecurity skills and academic knowledge.
Cybersecurity analyst salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a cybersecurity analyst in the UK is £48,216 per year. However please note that salaries may be dependent on the experience you require from your future cybersecurity analyst, candidates’ background, your company’s location and your company salary policy.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this role is not quite what you’re looking for, job description samples are available for the related title. Here are some related titles which could be more relevant to your search:
Cybersecurity analyst job description FAQs
What industries hire cybersecurity analysts?
Cybersecurity analysts can be hired across all industries, however, they might be most useful to companies with a large online presence. For businesses that have an e-commerce website, hiring a cybersecurity analyst can help them to identify threats and mitigate risks in their digital infrastructure.
Can cybersecurity analysts help you stay compliant with regulations?
Yes. Cybersecurity analysts typically have knowledge of cybersecurity regulations, UK data protection regulations and GDPR. They can also help analyse a business’s processes to ensure that they’re compliant with regulations, for example, anti-money laundering regulations for financial institutions.
How do cybersecurity analysts stay up-to-date with industry trends?
They can stay up-to-date by reading cybersecurity publications, joining online cybersecurity networks, attending conferences, and undergoing further training through short courses or master’s degrees. It can be important for cybersecurity analysts to keep up-to-date with cybercrime trends as they are constantly adapting to business solutions, including using AI technology to commit fraud.
Can you hire remote cybersecurity analysts?
Yes, cybersecurity analysts can work from home. They can also work hybrid or flexible shifts. Business meetings and presentations can be conducted via online video conferencing tools. This may also be a preferable option to businesses looking to recruit cybersecurity analysts for consulting purposes only. However, cybersecurity analysts may need to work on-site to look at a business’s hardware.
Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at the time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate’s experience, academic background and location
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
