Inside the Cybersecurity Analyst Role
In 2024, the stakes for protecting data have never been higher, with the average cost of a data breach hitting a staggering $4.88 million, according to IBM. As cyber threats grow more complex, the demand for skilled professionals to safeguard our digital assets is surging. But what does it really take to step into the shoes of a cybersecurity analyst, and is the field still open to newcomers?
What Does a Cybersecurity Analyst Do?
As a cybersecurity analyst, your main job is to keep an organization’s networks, systems, and data safe from unauthorized access and potential attacks. On any given day, you might find yourself monitoring ongoing threats, identifying vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit, and responding to security breaches when they happen. Your daily tasks could range from analyzing security logs to conducting penetration tests and working closely with IT teams to bolster security measures. The beauty of this role is its unpredictability—no two days are exactly alike, so expect a dynamic work environment where you’re constantly learning and adapting.
While the role is hands-on, the level of strategic work you’ll do often depends on your experience. Junior analysts might focus more on daily monitoring and troubleshooting, while senior analysts may spend more time on big-picture strategy and planning.
This work is far from routine, and that’s what makes it so rewarding. Cybersecurity analysts are essential players in defending organizations against digital threats, and their efforts have a direct impact on the safety and security of countless people.
Job Outlook and Salary Expectations
The future looks bright for cybersecurity analysts. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 32% job growth rate in this field from 2022 to 2032—significantly higher than the average for other careers. With the rapid rise of cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence, the need for cybersecurity professionals is only going to increase.
Beyond job security, the competitive salary is a major draw. Cybersecurity analysts in the U.S. earn a median salary of around $120,000 per year, though this can vary based on experience and location. For example, someone working in San Francisco might command a higher salary due to the high demand and cost of living in the area, while those in smaller markets might earn less. If remote work appeals to you, there’s good news: a 2022 report from (ISC)² found that over 70% of cybersecurity professionals work remotely, either part-time or full-time. No matter where you’re based, gaining experience and earning certifications can significantly boost your earning potential in this field.
What Is It Really Like Being a Cybersecurity Analyst?
This sounds great, but if you’re still having trouble picturing the daily, there are many resources that can give you a clearer picture. Who better to learn from than the cybersecurity analysts themselves?
As an example, we have pulled some firsthand accounts of life in this career from a Reddit forum on the topic:
On Reddit, user MILM said:
" In my experience, you don't do this unless you like teaching. Because security is "new" to so many people and orgs, as a security engineer I often get asked to join meetings, weigh in on topics of discussion, or write documentation about security systems, security policies and security standards, or hold presentations where I teach people about security topics or teach security personnel how to use their systems and identify when something isn't going well.”
Another user, alexthomasforever, stated:
“Work life balance isn't great if you have a busy SOC or one that's bent on escalating even policy violations - depends on the client / management. However in an ordinary SOC - life gets boring after a certain point, having gone through countless logs to simply establish that the source device found to be cryptomining is on a guest network (usually after a week of back and forth with various teams)
But ALL this changes in an instant you have an incident - people you never even knew existed on the team suddenly pops up and is posting stuff on the incident thread; every second a new IOC seems to be discovered. The air buzzes with excitement when YOU find an indicator yourself and post it. The moment you let the affected party know about the incident is simply a pure adrenaline rush - watching the remed team scurry to raise support tickets to takes machines offline and set up ACL rules. At this point, nobody cares about getting any sleep until everything that can be found is found - so maybe a bit unappealing to a 9 to 5 kind of person.”
User Nirvalt contributed:
“A traditional analyst position is usually full of finding a needle in a haystack - browse through logs and find bad stuff. This is a great learning opportunity to understand how systems and users behave. On the flip slide, a typical engineer position is on the technical implementation side. In both positions you know how the day starts but you don’t know how it ends.”
The IT and Cybersecurity community is alive and well in places like YouTube and Reddit, and you can often find discussions like these already posted. If you’re trying to find how you might fit in the community, do some exploring online and interact with professionals where they are.
How to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst
If you're inspired by the idea of defending against cyber threats and making a tangible impact, the path to becoming a cybersecurity analyst might be the perfect fit for you. At ACI Learning Tech Academy, our Cybersecurity Analyst Program is designed to help you build the skills and knowledge needed to step confidently into this critical role.
This program goes beyond just classroom learning; it immerses you in real-world scenarios and hands-on simulations, giving you practical experience with the tools and techniques used by professionals in the field. And when class is dismissed, you may be done learning with us, but we continue to work with you, helping you land your first professional role. Each Tech Academy has a Career Services team that offers one-on-one support to perfect your resume, optimize your LinkedIn, and connect you with a network of local employers.
We offer classes online, on campus, during the day, and at night through our Tech Academy locations: San Antonio, Dallas, Colorado Springs, and most of the rest of the USA through our online campus. If you're interested in learning more, reach out to our staff today.
Enrollment opens in late 2024, so if you're ready to take the next step in your journey, this could be the perfect opportunity to get started.
Need more convincing? Take our career quiz to see which path is the right fit for you
