Security analysts are the first to respond and take action against cyberattacks. They are the expert investigators who figure out where a threat came from, what’s behind it, and who’s behind it. A Security analyst is the backbone of any cybersecurity team.
Security analysts triage incidents and make sure they are handled effectively. They decide which incident needs more investigation and which can be closed or resolved quickly. Security analysts stay on the alert for potential security gaps.
Investigate
Security analysts hunt down threats within a network or infrastructure. They find out where threats came from, whether they pose any danger to the organization, and how they can be stopped before causing any damage.
Troubleshoot
Security analysts work closely with incident response teams to solve the problem and prevent it from happening again. They partner with other team members, like security engineers, to fix issues with the system under attack.
Top security analyst tasks
Network monitoring
Incident response
Threat investigation
Troubleshooting
Why become a security analyst?
A security analyst’s career path is exciting and rewarding, with plenty of growth opportunities. If a security gap happens, analysts are often at the forefront, leading efforts to stop the cyberattack.
It might be the role for you if . . .
You enjoy:
Moving at a fast pace
Collaborative problem solving
Being in a lead position
You excel at:
Analytical thinking
Decision making
Incident management
Meet a security analyst
Learn how a real-life security analyst met their career goals and how getting certified helped them on their path to success.
"The guidance I gained from earning the certification helped— in near real time—to determine what was happening on the job, when I became an SOC operator."
Jenny Guay, Network security analyst
Cybersecurity Associate, Cybersecurity Professional
The Cisco Cybersecurity Associate certification validates your skills and knowledge in security concepts, security monitoring, host-based analysis, network intrusion analysis, and security policies and procedures.
The Cisco Cybersecurity Professional certification builds on the Cisco Cybersecurity Associate certification. The program elevates the skills needed to address nuanced security challenges, and prepares professionals for incident response roles, cloud security, and other active defense security roles.
Now you can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals by acting and thinking like a hacker. Learn through hands-on, real-world challenges in ethical hacking and red-teaming security exercises.
Explore the Cybersecurity certifications community
Not sure where to begin? The Cybersecurity certifications community is where you can ask questions, share ideas, and connect with other members as you prepare for your certification exam.
The Security certifications community is buzzing with learning tools, training resources, preparation material, and industry guidance to help you build an IT career through Cisco certifications.