1. What is a Security Analyst？

Security analysts repair and improve a company's network security system by analyzing the risk vulnerabilities, possible external threats, and emergencies in the company's network. Generally speaking, security analysts conduct professional security analysis of security systems to provide the necessary network security strategies for the company's crisis elimination.

2. What does a Security Analyst do?

The ultimate responsibility of a security analyst is to ensure that the company's digital assets are protected from unauthorized corporate and personal access. This includes protecting online and local infrastructure, screening indicators and data to filter suspicious activities, and discovering and reducing risks before data breaches occur. If a data breach occurs, security analysts will work to counter external attacks.

Secondly, security analysts are also responsible for generating relevant data reports for IT administrators and business managers to evaluate the feasibility of existing security policies. They will then assist in making necessary strategic adjustments to build a more secure corporate network and may create training programs and modules to train employees and users on proper security protocols.

In addition, security analysts are responsible for keeping the company's security systems upgraded and improved, and archiving and storing all security-related information.

3. Essential Skills for Security Analyst

To become a security analyst, you should have the ability to communicate with internal personnel of the enterprise, network programming skills, troubleshoot network vulnerabilities, crisis elimination skills, skills to check security networks, defense skills against external intrusions, and professional analytical thinking.

4. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles

(1) Security Analyst Salary

According to U.S. News & World Report, security analysts have above-average job stress levels, but also above-average opportunities for advancement and salary. Information security analysts ranked #7 in the Best Technology Jobs, #19 in the Best STEM Jobs, and #52 in the Top 100 Jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for security analysts in 2016 was $92,600, or about $44.52 per hour.

The estimated total salary for security analysts is $127,408 per year, with an average salary of $98,661 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the range derived by our proprietary total salary estimation model based on salary data collected from users. The estimated additional salary is $28,747 per year. Additional salary may include cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing. Among them, the annual salary of information security analysts reaches $105,000-$175,000, the annual salary of chief information security analysts reaches $139,000-$211,000, and the annual salary of information security analysts reaches $139,000-$214,000.

(2) Job Outlook of Security Analyst

According to the latest data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2025, the employment of security analysts is expected to grow by 33% from 2023 to 2033, which is much higher than the average growth rate of all occupations. It is expected that there will be an average of 17,300 vacancies per year for security analyst positions in the next decade. Many of these vacancies are expected to fill those who change careers or exit the labor market (such as retirement).

By sorting out relevant data, it is shown that the employment outlook for security analysts is optimistic, with an expected growth rate of 18% between 2014 and 2024. It is expected that 14,800 additional security analysts will be needed by 2024. Security analysts looking to advance in their careers can seek opportunities and roles such as security consultant, security architect, security engineer, systems analyst, senior analyst, and eventually positions such as CISO or security director.

(3) Similar Occupations

• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Computer Network Architects
• Computer Programmers
• Computer Support Specialists
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Database Administrators and Architects
• Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers

5. Popular Certifications for Security Analyst

The following professional certifications are beneficial for current analysts who are pursuing continuing education, as well as other security professionals who wish to become security analysts:
CCNP Security certification prove your skills in all things security infrastructure, including network, cloud, and content security, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access, visibility, and enforcement. It can demonstrate that you can design and implement cloud security architecture, user and device security, network security, assurance, and more. Protect the infrastructures that clients rely on with the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security certification.

CCIE Security certification is designed to help you build cutting-edge skills to position yourself as a technical leader in the ever-changing landscape of security technologies and solutions. It can demonstrate mastery of planning, designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing solutions for complex enterprise security networks. Lead the changes in security solutions with the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Security certification.