Information Security Analyst
In the present day, most confidential business data lives digitally on computer servers or the internet; but a decade ago, it was still physically sitting in a filing cabinet somewhere. And some still is! Often thought of as synonymous with cybersecurity, information security is concerned with making sure data in ANY form is kept secure. Information security analysts are the analyzers, contributors, and innovators who plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s data, both physical and electronic. Their responsibilities are continually evolving as more confidential information migrates online and the number of cyberattacks increase.
First and foremost, information security analysts need to have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. They need to be focused, work well under pressure, be good at multitasking, and both reactive and proactive in dealing with both real and potential security threats. Information security analysts develop security standards and best practices for their organization, monitor networks for security breaches, investigate violations, and configure security tools and software, such as firewalls and data encryption programs. They document and preserve any forensic evidence to be used internally or by law enforcement, and must stay up to date on IT security to decide how to most effectively protect their organization.
Most information security analysts work in IT departments at computer companies, consulting firms, or business and financial companies. A bachelor’s degree in information technology, network security or a computer-related field is usually needed to work in this kind of position. Demand for information security analysts is very high – with a projected 32% growth rate by 2028 – as they will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical data.
