Cybersecurity Analyst

• Level of educationBac+5
• EmployabilityHigh
• Starting salary€3,200
• Experienced salary€5,000
• MobilityGood
• ROME codeM1802
• FAP codeM2Z

Why is the cybersecurity analyst crucial?

The cybersecurity analyst is at the heart of the fight against cyber threats, which keep evolving and multiplying. With companies going digital and attacks becoming more complex (such as ransomware or phishing attacks), the analyst’s role is essential to guarantee the security of information systems. By monitoring networks and detecting incidents, the cybersecurity analyst plays a key role in preventing attacks and managing security crises.

What is a cybersecurity analyst?

The cybersecurity analyst is a professional who monitors, analyses and protects an organisation’s IT systems against cyberattacks. Their role is to detect security incidents, manage alerts and implement solutions to minimise risks. They work with specific tools, such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), to monitor systems continuously and prevent intrusions.

Main duties of the cybersecurity analyst

The cybersecurity analyst’s daily duties include:

• Monitoring systems and networks: using monitoring tools to detect anomalies and potential attacks.
• Detecting security incidents: analysing security alerts and assessing their relevance.
• Incident response: implementing corrective actions to contain and resolve security incidents.
• Vulnerability management: identifying and analysing security flaws in systems.
• Log analysis: examining security logs to detect intrusion attempts.
• Working with IT teams: collaborating closely with system and network administrators to secure the infrastructure.

A typical day as a cybersecurity analyst

1. MorningThey check the dashboards of their monitoring tools and analyse the security alerts raised since the previous day, to assess their relevance and spot intrusion attempts.
2. Late morningThey examine the logs of a server or network device in the SIEM in detail to understand an anomaly, then decide whether it is an incident that needs handling.
3. AfternoonThey run a vulnerability scan, analyse the flaws found and agree with the system and network administrators on which fixes to apply first.
4. End of the dayThey document the incidents and vulnerabilities handled, follow up on corrective actions and spend time keeping up with new threats such as phishing and ransomware.

When an incident is confirmed, the pace changes: they put actions in place to contain the attack, isolate the problem and help restore services.

Key skills to become a cybersecurity analyst

The skills needed to become a cybersecurity analyst combine technical know-how and personal qualities:

Technical skills:

• Command of SIEM tools: using solutions such as Splunk or ELK to analyse logs and detect incidents.
• Knowledge of network protocols: understanding TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP and the related vulnerabilities.
• Security incident management: knowing how to respond to an attack, isolate the problem and restore services.
• Cryptography: knowing encryption and data protection techniques.
• Vulnerability analysis: identifying and assessing security flaws with tools such as Nessus or OpenVAS.

Personal qualities:

• Responsiveness and quick decision-making: reacting fast to a security incident.
• Analytical mind: the ability to identify the root causes of incidents and propose suitable solutions.
• Clear communication: explaining technical problems in terms non-technical stakeholders can understand.

Which training to become a cybersecurity analyst?

Here are the possible training paths to become a cybersecurity analyst:

Bac+2 to Bac+3: BTS or BUT in IT, networks or cybersecurity.
Bac+5: university master’s degree in cybersecurity, information systems or network security.
Professional certifications: CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CompTIA Security+, CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).
Additional training: courses on specific tools such as SIEM, firewalls or incident management.

6. What is the salary of a cybersecurity analyst?

A cybersecurity analyst’s salary varies with experience, location and business sector. Here is an overview:

Beginner (0-3 years): €30,000 – €40,000
Experienced (3-5 years): €45,000 – €55,000
Senior (5+ years): €60,000 – €75,000

7. Career prospects for a cybersecurity analyst

Cybersecurity analysts can move on to several positions of responsibility in cybersecurity:

• Pentester (penetration tester): a specialist in assessing system security through penetration tests.
• Cybersecurity consultant: advising different companies on security.
• Chief information security officer (CISO): leading security strategies at organisational level.

8. Why is this job in high demand?

The cybersecurity analyst is in high demand because the growing number of cyberattacks, such as ransomware, and of regulations (such as the GDPR) make protecting sensitive data more complex. Companies in every sector need professionals who can detect and prevent threats, hence strong demand for qualified profiles.

Cybersecurity analyst or cybersecurity threat analyst: what’s the difference?

The job titles are similar, but one protects systems day to day while the other anticipates upcoming threats:

9. FAQ: answers to students’ common questions

What are a cybersecurity analyst’s daily tasks?

The cybersecurity analyst monitors systems in real time, detects security incidents, analyses logs, responds to incidents and manages vulnerabilities.

Which certifications are most recognised?

The CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), CISSP and CompTIA Security+ certifications are particularly sought after in cybersecurity.

Can you work remotely as a cybersecurity analyst?

Yes, many companies offer remote working options, especially for system monitoring and incident management, which can be done remotely.

What are the main threats a cybersecurity analyst must protect against?

Phishing attacks, ransomware, DDoS attacks and malware intrusions are among the most common.