A data security analyst is a technology professional who ensures that an organization’s operating systems and information are secure. This type of information technology (IT) worker might be in charge of developing, installing, troubleshooting, and repairing computer network systems, among other things. A person in this position will spend the majority of their workday preventing security breaches or damage to these systems.
Working with existing systems to scrutinize the protections in place and update or repair them as needed is an important part of a data security analyst’s job. An analyst might be in charge of firewalls and anti-virus programs, for example, which prevent outsiders from gaining access to an organization’s data or causing damage to a system. Installing the program, updating it on a regular basis, and monitoring its success on computers and equipment throughout an organization could all be part of this job.
Another set of responsibilities that a data security analyst might have is developing and implementing security programs. This may entail reviewing corporate policies regarding an organization’s security measures and ensuring that all systems are compliant, as well as devising a strategy to address any security gaps. A security analyst could be a member of the team that creates these compliance codes. A security analyst can also conduct research, preview, and approve the purchase of these types of security programs.
The security analyst’s job also requires them to communicate with other members of the organization. Depending on the size of the company, it may be necessary to communicate potential security risks to senior officials as well as collaborate with data security teams. A security analyst may also be in charge of training other employees and performing regular audits and updates on individual systems. A security analyst may communicate with clients about ongoing account activity in some cases. An analyst may supervise other IT team members, depending on the size of the company.
Responding to requests and solving problems takes up a large part of a data security analyst’s day. Routine maintenance and scheduled audits may fill the work day in some cases. When a new employee is hired, an analyst like this may be called in to set up any necessary network hardware and software. The data security analyst will be in charge of finding a solution if a system is disabled or if security is breached.