How to Become a System Security Analyst

About System Security Analyst

Have you ever wondered regarding the safety of information systems and the work we do in office? The answers to this question are system security analyst. Information security analysts are the professionals popularly knowns as gatekeepers or guardian angels of information systems and data. Their job responsibility is to plan and execute security measures to shield an organization's computer systems and networks from hacking and cyber attacks. They mainly prevent, monitor and respond to data breaches and cyber attacks, which are becoming more common these days.

Demand for information security analysts is expected to be very high and is to increase more in the coming future. Cyber attacks have grown in frequency, and analysts will be needed to come up with innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or creating problems for computer networks. In addition, as the healthcare industry expands its use of electronic medical records, ensuring patients' privacy and protecting personal data are becoming more important. More information security analysts are likely to be needed to protect the data and guard the companies against cyber crimes and cyber attacks.

Eligibility to become System Security Analyst

To become a system security analyst one must have a bachelor’s degree (B.Tech/B.E.) in computer science or programming. To get through a good college for B.Tech/ B.E. one has to appear many national-level engineering entrance exams like JEE Mains, VITEEE etc.

​However, with increasing competition system security analysts may also acquire a handful of certification to add to their knowledge and expertise in a certain area of information security such as network administration or software development. There are even certifications that prove one's merit as a manager or give the lauded chief information security officer (CISO) recognition.

Types of Job Roles System Security Analyst

Check out the related system security analyst job profiles here:

Security Administrator:  Their job role is to ensure that systems are working as per their design and plan. Their main job is to keep the systems up.

Security Engineer: A Security Engineer builds and maintains IT security solutions for an organization or company they work for

Security Consultant: A Security Consultant is a professional that will design and implement the best security for an organization's needs.  

Security Architect: Their job is to acquire a complete understanding of a company’s technology and information systems so that they could plan, research and design robust security architectures for the IT project. Apart from this they also perform vulnerability testing and security assessments.

Security Manager:  This is the highest position in the respective field and their job is to manage an organization’s IT security in every way from devising imaginative security solutions to implementing policies and training procedures.

Employment Opportunities for System Security Analyst: 

System security analysts are mostly required by all type of industries. However, some of the top employment opportunities for system security analyst are listed below:

• Finance and Insurance
• Information Technology
• Administrative and Support Services
• Computer System Design and Related Services
• Information

Top Recruiting Companies for System Security Analyst

The job and employment outlook for system security analyst is very high as there are a large number of MNCs, IT firms startups, insurance companies that require these professionals to safeguard their information systems and data.  Check out  the companies that hire system security analyst below:

• Amazon
• Cisco
• Accenture
• IBM
• SAP Labs
• Microsoft
• Alliance
• Metlife

Pay Scale/Salary of System Security Analyst

System security analyst withdraws great salary packages. The median salary for a security system analyst is between Rs.5,00,000- Rs. 8,00,000 per annum . However, the salary packages go on increasing as per the experience. Security managers enjoy very high salary packages in India and abroad along with other perks such as profit sharing, commissions, among others.

Books & Study Material to Become System Security Analyst

Check out some of the most useful book and study material for System Security Analysts to enhance their knowledge in the respective field:

• Computer Security in the 21st Century
• The Practice of Network Security Monitoring: Understanding Incident Detection and Response
• Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals by Mark Ciampa
• The Basics of Information Security: Understanding the Fundamentals of Info-Sec in Theory and Practice

Pros of becoming a System Security Analyst

• System security analyst enjoys very high salary packages and their job growth is comparatively higher as compared to other jobs. This is because it is a highly-skilled job.
• They get an opportunity to advance to senior IT management positions like security manager.
• One of the biggest pros is job satisfaction as they are involved in network and security planning.

Cons of becoming a System Security Analyst

• They need to develop plans and explore available up-to-date sophisticated methodologies to take care of cybersecurity of the place they work which can be very hectic and stressful.
• They need to be on the look-out virtually most of the time for possible security threats and be on their toes to identify and solve the problem areas.
• Since the nature of their job is such, it requires them to work beyond their normal work timings.