Security analysts protect computer networks by implementing security protocols to prevent data breaches or cyber-attacks. They evaluate the security measures in computer networks by performing assessments such as penetration testing or vulnerability tests. This allows them to determine potential hazards and vulnerabilities in the system.
If they’ve determined those vulnerabilities, they will strengthen the security of the system. A security analyst must usually have a background in information technology or computer science. Ideally, they should have a bachelor’s degree in any of these fields.
However, it takes a combination of skills, education, and experience to become a high-performing security analyst. That’s why it is so important to highlight your professional experience in your resume.
Your security analyst resume should reflect your logical thinking and team work skills. Even though this is a highly technical profession, it still requires you to collaborate with others. That’s why it is worth mentioning your experience working with multiple groups.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for security analysts is expected to increase by up to 35 percent, which is considerably high compared to the average demand for most occupations.
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The role of the security analyst goes beyond testing and troubleshooting. They also create procedures for IT employees to follow. Cyber security isn’t a solo task; it requires everyone to be on the same page in terms of confidentiality and security protocols. However, this also means that you will have to train and instruct non-technical employees. Therefore, it is important to highlight your communication skills on your resume.
Cloud computing has become more in demand this last decade. Companies prefer to store their data in a cloud because it’s more efficient, accessible, and less expensive than in-house servers. However, this doesn’t prevent hackers from breaking into cloud databases. That’s why security analysts should be familiar with cloud cyber security.
Certifications such as Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) are highly relevant in the cyber security industry. They will help you demonstrate your experience and skills in the field, so including them in your resume is definitely a good idea.
What happens if preventive methods fail and there is a potential hazard? The information security analyst must act quickly and troubleshoot. It is essential for them to have incident response skills. This should be a competency you should highlight in your information security analyst resume.
This is a career that involves highly technical duties. That’s why it is crucial to emphasize your hard skills in your resume. Soft skills like communication, team work, and logical thinking are also vital in this role, but you should prioritize technical skills like penetration testing, networking, and risk management.
Even though security analysis doesn’t necessarily involve coding, candidates with programming skills have better job opportunities than those who don’t include their coding competencies. You can include scripting languages like Python or Bash on your resume.
IT security analysts protect computer networks. This also means becoming cyber police officers. Some IT security analysts must perform computer forensics activities, which involve the identification of suspect data and presenting relevant information in courts. As an IT security analyst, you should highlight this skill in your resume.
Ideally, security analysts should have a bachelor’s degree in CS or IT. However, non-traditional training is also valid for this career. What you should know is that is important to accentuate your educational background considering the nature of this profession. Your potential employer might want to know if you’ve had the appropriate training for this field.
When performing computer forensics activities, IT security analysts must apply competent regulations for computer practice. It is a crucial skill to include in your resume, especially if you are going to focus on this field.
We spoke with hiring managers who recruit Security Analysts at companies like Accenture, Deloitte, and IBM to gather their best resume tips. They've seen thousands of resumes throughout their careers and know exactly what makes a resume stand out. If you're applying for a Security Analyst role, make sure to follow their expert advice below.
Cybersecurity certifications show hiring managers that you have the specific skills and knowledge needed for the job. Be sure to list any relevant certifications you have, such as:
Don't just list the certification names. Also include the year you earned each one to show that your knowledge is current. If you're currently working on a certification, you can list it as "In Progress" with the expected completion date.
A resume summary for a Security Analyst role is optional but can be highly effective when done right. It's a chance to provide additional context about your experience and skills that may not be immediately apparent from the rest of your resume. However, avoid using an objective statement, as it's outdated and focuses on what you want rather than what you can offer.
When crafting your summary, be objective and use metrics to showcase your achievements. Mentioning your target job title and relevant keywords can also help with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Keep your summary concise, ideally no more than one paragraph, and avoid directly listing soft skills or using corporate buzzwords like "proven track record."
Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you highlight your most relevant and impactful professional experiences. As a security analyst, it's crucial to showcase your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and the value you've brought to previous organizations.
In this section, we'll guide you through the process of crafting a compelling work experience section that will catch the attention of hiring managers and demonstrate your qualifications for the role.
As a security analyst, you are responsible for upkeeping computer networks and protecting them from cyber-attacks. You must maintain operability and troubleshoot when needed. This means you play a huge role in the organization, so you have to demonstrate accountability in your resume. Your potential employer wants a candidate with initiative.
What you can do to demonstrate this in your resume is to include your achievements in previous roles and integrate action verbs when mentioning them. This will make you look more reliable and accountable for security protocols. Consider checking our selection of action verbs below.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
Your security analyst resume should focus on your technical skills. This is a complex profession with a lot of technical terminologies, so you can even leverage the skills section to include related keywords. Go for skills such as penetration testing, cloud security, vulnerability management, and networking.
Keep in mind that cybersecurity is an ever-changing field, so it’s always important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends for protecting networks. Try to include skills that are relevant to prevent today’s cyber hazards. Also, don’t forget to check our selection of skills for a security analyst role.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Security Analyst job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
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