Systems Security Analyst

Systems security analysts are computer specialists. They assess administrative, physical, and technical security risks to data, software, and hardware. They strive to detect, prevent, or minimize the effects of security breaches and concerns.

Duties

• Control access to data and work with privacy officers to protect confidential information (when and as required by law)
• Help authorized users avoid action that might compromise data availability, integrity, or privacy
• Prevent hackers from disabling computers or seeing, modifying, or destroying data on servers and media
• Perform vulnerability testing, and security assessments of technology infrastructure
• Design, implement, and maintain security infrastructure such as firewalls, antivirus software, intrusion detection systems, VPN devices, and authentication systems
• Monitor alerts and events and respond according to defined security processes
• Develop plans to safeguard computer files and meet emergency data-processing needs

Education Requirements

• Four year bachelor’s degree in computer science or something similar

Various certificates are also required to be a Systems Security Analyst, which includes the:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM)

• Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

• CompTIA Security

• And various other certificates

Skills

• Logical thinking
• Honesty and integrity
• Mental alertness while performing routine tasks
• Organizational skills
• Speaking, listening, and writing skills
• Teamwork skills
• Decisiveness, creativity, and flexibility to meet security challenges and solve problems quickly
• Creative thinking
• The ability to study complex problems
• The ability to work under pressure and manage time well
• The ability to work with little to no supervision

Work Conditions

System Security Analysts typically work 9-5 jobs, and oftentimes have to work overtime. They work in your sterotypical office.

Salary and Job Outlook

Job Outlook

This job is expected to grow about 11% - 20% in the next few years, especially because of us entering the age of A.I. alongside the baby boomers retiring.

Salary

The starting pay for this job typically starts at $21/h, but can grow as high as $75.35/h. The average pay is roughly $67.87.

Personal connection

I’ve wanted to purse a career in cybersecurity for some time now, and this seemed like a good place to start. I’ve been good with conputers and coding for some time, and I want to use that skill to help others.