{"id":12168,"date":"2017-12-14T05:59:49","date_gmt":"2017-12-14T05:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/?p=12168"},"modified":"2025-08-29T14:25:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T12:25:35","slug":"become-cybersecurity-analyst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/become-cybersecurity-analyst\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Become A Cybersecurity Analyst"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Protecting the security and integrity of data is vital for businesses and organisations, as sensitive data leaks can cost companies millions<\/strong> in lost revenue or ransom demands. The Equifax hack of September 2017 cost the company US$4 billion in market value in under a week, and that doesn\u2019t include the costs related to responding to the crisis and cleaning up the mess Equifax faces.<\/p>\n\n\n

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With devastating cyberattacks on the rise and businesses becoming more aware of the costs associated with them, demand for qualified cybersecurity analysts<\/a> is surging<\/strong>. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analyst jobs are projected to increase by 28% between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations during that decade.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What are the key responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Analyst?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Cybersecurity Analysts are expected to maintain their organisation\u2019s cybersecurity defense systems, helping to keep the company\u2019s infrastructure and sensitive data safe from hackers or cyberattackers. They need to work closely with the organisation’s Chief Technology Officer<\/a> and use their knowledge of computers, hardware and software to monitor and analyse data from various security systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An effective cybersecurity analyst needs to be able to clearly and quickly communicate security information to fellow analysts and customers, and put their technical skills to use in order to respond to threats and emergency security incidents in a timely manner. They also need to constantly develop and improve cybersecurity countermeasures in place to prevent malicious activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other key responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Analyst include making an impact in the following three areas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cybersecurity<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/td>

  • Assess the vulnerabilities of an organisation’s critical business systems, networks, and data<\/li>
  • Distinguish the legal and compliance risks for an organization or sector<\/li>
  • Propose an incident response plan in the event of a cyberattack and develop a cyber risk mitigation strategy<\/li>
    <\/ul>

    Want these skills?<\/a><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

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Information Systems Management<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/td>

  • Recommend the use of telecommunications, networks and database management tools for a given objective<\/li>
  • Develop an information systems strategy that aligns with broader business objectives<\/li>
  • Recommend ways that business managers should practise governance, ethics and security principles to inform their use of IT<\/li>
    <\/ul>

    Want these skills?<\/a><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

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Information Technology Management<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/td>