Data Security Analyst

A Data and Security Analyst plays a vital role in keeping an organization's proprietary and sensitive information secure. Their primary function is to work to ensure that computer networks and systems are protected from hackers and viruses. This involves planning, installing, and maintaining data security measures for specific networks or computer systems. They aim to protect data from corruption and prevent unauthorized access to digital assets. Analysts work within specific businesses or may operate as independent contractors or
within computer services firms.

Key Responsibilities and Job Duties:
- Ensure computer networks and systems are protected from hackers and viruses.
- Plan, install, and maintain data security measures.
- Evaluate the security measures a company has in place to identify flaws and vulnerabilities.
- Suggest and help make changes to make systems more secure and efficient.
- Ensure antivirus software and other security programs are up to date and running properly.
- Monitor security access.
- Work with clients or internal teams to determine security risks.
- Develop a plan to protect data from corruption.
- Strategize ways to implement protection plans for computer systems or networks.
- Weed through metrics and data to filter out suspicious activity.
- Find and mitigate risks before breaches occur.
- Lead efforts to counter an attack if a breach does occur.
- Conduct security assessments through vulnerability testing and risk analysis.
- Perform both internal and external security audits.
- Analyze security breaches to identify the root cause.
- Generate reports for IT administrators and business managers to evaluate the efficacy of security policies.
- Create training programs and modules to educate employees and users on proper security protocols.
- Keep the company's security systems up to date.
- Create documentation and planning for all security-related information, including iUpgrade to see actual info response and disaster recovery plans.
- Verify the security of third-party vendors and collaborate with them to meet security requirements.

Required Education:
- A Bachelor's degree is required.
- Relevant fields of study include computer science, information science, or information security.
- A Bachelor of Science in Information Security is described as a degree program tailored considerably to the profession.
- A 4-year Information Security degree typically provides a basic understanding of computer science, business administration, and privacy issues.
- Skills and knowledge are generally gained through classroom lectures and computer laboratory experiences.

Required Skills and Knowledge Areas:
Analysts need expertise in areas such as:
- Information security fundamentals.
- Structured systems analysis.
- Computer programming.
- Networking.
- Database management.
- Operating systems security.
- System software security.
- Telecommunications.
- Systems analysis.
- Cyber security.
- Firewalls.
- Information assurance.
- Linux and UNIX.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM).
- Application security.
- Security engineering.
- Security architecture.
- Ethical hacking, including penetration testing, to expose weak points and identify threats.
- Intrusion prevention to monitor network traffic and respond to threats.
- IUpgrade to see actual info response to manage the effects of attacks and alter controls for future prevention.
- Computer forensics for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data for crime prevention or creating evidence.
- Reverse engineering to understand software behavior, patch bugs, or analyze malware.
- Analysts must also keep up with the latest trends in cyber security.

Beyond technical skills, successful analysts are described as detail- oriented and having an analytical mindset. Interpersonal skills are also crucial for training staff and communicating with leadership.

Required Experience:
- Minimum of five years working as Information Security/Data Privacy Analyst

Certification:
- Certification is typically voluntary, not required.
- Cisco Information Security Specialist (CISS).
- The Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) offers credentials in areas like security administration, security
management, software security, IT audit, and forensics.
- Other beneficial certifications include Certified Ethical Hacker (recognizes abilities to lawfully use hacker tools), CompTIA Network+ (validates network skills), CWAPT Certified Penetration Tester (certifies web application penetration testing skills), and Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (validates malware analysis skills).