Information security analysts are IT professionals who are in charge of safeguarding all data and communications that are stored and shared in network systems. Information security analysts in the financial industry, for example, might regularly upgrade firewalls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive business data and conduct vulnerability tests to evaluate the effectiveness of security measures. An undergraduate degree in a field such as computer science or computer engineering is required to work as an information security analyst, and working as an intern is a good way to gain experience. A person who wants to become an information security analyst can take courses in most programs that focus on network and information security issues. Because information security technology is constantly evolving, professionals in this field frequently attend workshops, seminars, and trade shows to further their education.
A graduate degree in a related field is usually beneficial to someone who wants to become an information security analyst. Some employers may require or prefer that applicants have this credential, while others may make it optional. A graduate degree program can help you network with like-minded professionals who can later become references and leads to new job openings, in addition to making you a more attractive job candidate.
Anyone interested in becoming an information security analyst should work as an intern while attending college. Interns typically receive academic credit for this type of work. Internships are also frequently used to provide information for required research products. Because they already have experience working in IT security contexts, many people who work as interns while in school find that they are qualified to take higher-level positions after graduation.
In most cases, a person who wants to work as an information security analyst should expect to work in the field for at least five years. Analysts are typically thought of as subject matter experts in their fields. They are responsible for reporting to CIOs, developing all information security plans, and possibly overseeing implementation.
If you want to work as an information security analyst, you should have a cover letter and résumé that detail your skills, qualifications, and experiences. It’s critical to emphasize experience in areas like security policy creation, network penetration testing, and compliance testing in these documents. In most cases, you should customize these documents to meet the needs of specific jobs.