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Security analysts monitor, prevent, and stop attacks on private data. These digital professionals create and implement firewalls and software systems to protect data and network infrastructures. As the world increasingly relies on technology and digital interfaces to store and share information, security analysts enjoy higher demand.
Security analysts may work in the public sector, as freelance consultants, or for businesses and corporations. Typically, these professionals hold at least a bachelor’s degree in their field; however, some employers seek for analysts with master’s degrees.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analysts earn a median annual salary of $99,730 — more than double the national median wage for all occupations. On this page, we explore this growing industry, covering topics like how to become a security analyst and frequently asked questions about the career.
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As the job title implies, security serves as security analysts’ primary goal. These analysts aim to identify weaknesses in networks’ security systems, patch or respond to issues, and prevent future breaches from occurring. Security analysts may use various software, including programs designed to encrypt and protect data, to increase and strengthen the security of digital data.
Within larger companies and organizations, security analysts may work with teams of network, information technology (IT), and computer specialists. They often work with these other professionals to design security protocols and systems, and to protect company data from hacks and breaches.
As evidenced by recent data breaches in major companies, security analysts play crucial roles within these structures. They empower businesses and organizations to better protect customer and user data, in turn maintaining the integrity and reputation of those organizations.
Security analysts may take on new roles as they advance within the field. For example, entry-level security analysts may assume lower-level roles in IT teams, helping users navigate new systems and installing new software. More experienced analysts may design and implement entire security systems and firewalls, overseeing teams of security and IT professionals.
The typical day for a security analyst can vary greatly depending on the specific position. They may begin their day by looking over reports from the previous day or shift, including checking for any new threats and identifying malware that may have infiltrated the system.
Security analysts may also prepare for and respond to system breaches or attacks. These processes might differ between workplaces and employers, but they generally include responding to hacks or network insecurities and working to prevent new ones. On a typical day, a security analyst may meet and connect with other IT professionals at their workplace to collaborate on efforts to protect data and network infrastructure.
The following list details a few common security analyst responsibilities:
Like many other tech professionals, security analysts tend to earn strong wages. Even the lowest-earning 10% of information security analysts earned a median annual wage of $57,810 as of May 2019, according to the BLS; those in the 90th percentile took home $158,860 per year. Keep in mind that these numbers reflect analyst salaries in a variety of industries and roles, working at all experience levels.
Several factors may influence earning potential, such as location. BLS data reports that information security analysts earned the highest wages in New York, where their annual mean wage was $121,750 as of May 2019. New Jersey trailed closely behind, at $121,570.
Education and experience also impact salary. A bachelor’s degree serves as the typical minimum requirement for security analysts; however, some employers may seek analysts with master’s degrees, which may afford higher salaries. Experience level can also influence earnings, as outlined in the chart below.
Entry Level | Early Career | Midcareer | Experienced | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Average Salary | $59,410 | $65,420 | $75,600 | $95,000 |
Security analysts enjoy plenty of mobility, as jobs in the field cover many geographic areas, industries, and employers. Where analysts choose to work can impact their earning potential, as can the types of roles they take on. Security analysts work in all sectors, including computer and software engineering, management, and finance. This section introduces the industries and employers that commonly employ security analysts, plus which cities offer the highest salaries.
Where you live can impact your career and earning potential. For instance, smaller, more rural towns might feature fewer job opportunities in the tech and IT fields, while more metropolitan and suburban areas offer more positions in these fields.
Even if a city boasts higher-than-average salaries for security analysts, the cost of living in that city may outweigh the higher pay. For example, New York pays the highest median salary for information security analysts, according to the BLS, but the cost of living in the state is nearly 40% higher than the national average, according to the World Population Review.
The table below outlines the top-paying metropolitan areas for security analysts.
Top-Paying Cities | Average Annual Wage |
---|---|
Washington, DC | $117,810 |
New York, NY | $127,850 |
Dallas, TX | $114,100 |
Boston, MA | $106,650 |
Atlanta, GA | $100,810 |
Your industry can also impact the daily tasks and duties you perform in your career. Different industries require different responsibilities, and they may require security analysts to work alongside different types of professionals.
Most security analysts work in the computer and information technology industries. The next-largest group of security analysts works in finance and management. Other security analysts work in administrative roles. All kinds of companies and organizations employ security analysts and other IT professionals, so these administrative roles vary by employer.
Employers and industry can impact earning potential, as well; certain industries and jobs may offer higher salaries and more advancement opportunities than others.
The process of becoming a security analyst may look slightly different from person to person; however, some standards and requirements remain universal. Typically, security analysts must hold a bachelor’s degree in information security or a related field. However, some security analysts learn the necessary skills on their own, or through online “bootcamps,” which offer crash courses and workshops in coding and security. These workshops often lead to certifications.
How long it takes to become a security analyst depends on your chosen educational path. The steps below offer an example pathway to starting your career.
Becoming a security analyst typically involves meeting some specific requirements, like education, certification, and experience requirements. The sections below explain these requirements in further detail.
Aspiring security analysts typically pursue studies in fields closely related to security analysis, such as cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, systems analysis, or software development. These majors often allow learners to specialize in security analysis.
Other education options exist for this field, as well. For instance, many computer professionals learn new scripts, codes, programs, and platforms on their own. A recent survey of computer programmers found that 85.5% of respondents reported teaching themselves a new tool, framework, or coding language without taking an actual course.
The same survey reported that 45% of respondents earned bachelor’s degrees, with the vast majority pursuing majors in computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering. Some analysts may pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in cybersecurity. Graduate degrees can lead to higher salary potential and more advanced roles in the IT field.
Employers often seek candidates with specific educational backgrounds, which may determine whether you self-teach or earn a degree. Research your areas of interest to see which credentials those employers prefer.
Learn more about available certificates and degrees through the links below.
Earning certifications in various programs, software, and operating systems can help you stand out to employers. Some popular certifications for security analysts include:
Before becoming a security analyst, candidates often earn experience in the field, which may include academic courses and cybersecurity internships. Experience provides aspiring security analysts with useful knowledge and skills prior to entering the job market.
As previously discussed, some analysts pursue knowledge and skills through self-teaching, or through bootcamps and workshops that hone skills in limited timeframes. Some employers specifically seek candidates with accredited academic experience, while others may accept candidates with self-taught skills.
Either way, gaining experience in the field can increase earning potential and help candidates stand out to employers.
The rapidly expanding tech industry has made way for thousands of lucrative careers for qualified, skilled professionals. Job fairs, professional organizations, annual conferences, and online boards help job-seekers find leads on available positions in security analysis. The following list outlines several online job boards for security analysts.
This online job board offers resources for those seeking jobs in cybersecurity, including online job listings, virtual and in-person career fairs, and news and advice for job-seekers and employers.
This website provides straightforward, easy-to-navigate listings of available cybersecurity jobs around the world. Users can search by location, job title or keyword, and company.
NinjaJobs, a community-run job-posting platform, posts jobs in fields like information security management, security product development, and digital forensics.
This website offers an easily searchable database of jobs in tech. Users can search by keyword or location. They can also create profiles and upload resumes for easy applying.
Security analysts enjoy opportunities for upward mobility. As you work longer in security analysis and gain more experience and knowledge, you qualify for higher positions and more advanced roles, like the ones outlined below.
Chief information security officers oversee security teams within companies and organizations. These professionals manage all security and IT issues alongside other IT professionals. Generally, they have a bachelor’s degree and extensive experience in the field.
Security engineers create and implement security systems to protect companies and organizations’ private data and systems. Their duties closely mirror those of security analysts, but at more advanced levels. They typically possess at least 1-5 years of experience in the field, and they sometimes hold an advanced degree.
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Find the right education path to take advantage of this fast-growing industry and join the front-lines on technology and security.