Is being an information security analyst a good career?

Yes, being an information security analyst is a good career. This career path offers good pay, interesting work, and is in high demand. Information security is a relatively new field compared to other technical careers. This means that it is a more accessible career for a person to pursue. This is because a person can take a variety of paths to become an information security analyst.

What skills do you need to be an information security analyst?

Information security analysts need a combination of technical skills paired with highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills. Information security analysts need a mix of hard and soft skills to excel in their job.

What is an information security analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Joé Lloyd

An information security analyst protects an organization's computer systems and networks from cyber threats. They monitor and analyze networks, implement security measures, and develop strategies to prevent breaches. Information security analysts also investigate incidents, guide employees on security best practices, and stay up-to-date on security threats. They work with other IT professionals to secure and protect an organizationâ€™s data from unauthorized access. This role requires technical skills, analytical abilities, and an understanding of information security.

What general advice would you give to an information security analyst?

Joé Lloyd

Senior Director, AVIXA

In the AVIXA 2019 Q2 Macro-Economic Trends Analysis, we studied how tight or slack labor markets affect hiring. We found that the current economy is tough for those seeking to enter a skill-intensive industry like audiovisual (AV). Our data shows that when unemployment goes up, AV companies respond by raising hiring standards. Candidates will need a strong résumé to get hired, whether it’s in years of experience or a targeted technical degree or certification.

ScoreInformation Security AnalystUS Average

Salary

7.6

Avg. Salary $98,144

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.5

Growth rate 32%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%

Asian 9.64%

Black or African American 9.15%

Hispanic or Latino 8.99%

Unknown 6.09%

White 65.70%

Gender

female 27.12%

male 72.88%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

6.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an information security analyst?

Pros

High demand for skilled information security analysts
Competitive salary and benefits
Ability to work remotely or in different locations
Job stability in a constantly evolving field
Ability to make a significant impact on an organization's security posture

Cons

High stress and pressure to prevent security breaches
Long hours and potential for on-call work
Risk of burnout due to the demanding nature of the job
Often requires working under strict deadlines and tight budgets
Can involve repetitive tasks, such as reviewing logs and monitoring security alerts

Key steps to become an information security analyst

Explore information security analyst education requirements

Most common information security analyst degrees

Bachelor's

61.8 %

Associate

20.1 %

Master's

12.6 %

Start to develop specific information security analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Incident Response	6.91%
Risk Assessments	5.13%
Windows	4.80%
SIEM	3.80%
Data Loss Prevention	3.73%

Complete relevant information security analyst training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information security analysts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an information security analyst based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information security analyst resumes.

Gain additional information security analyst certifications

Information security analyst certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific information security analyst certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for information security analysts include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Security 5 Certification.

More About Certifications

Research information security analyst duties and responsibilities

Manage IA personnel in the performance of IAVM tasks.
Lead maritime IP intrusion detection analysis special project providing models to identify Cyber terrorist's capabilities, methods, and strategies.
Manage and configure perimeter Cisco routers and switches.
Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.

Prepare your information security analyst resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information security analyst resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an information security analyst resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable information security analyst resume templates

Build a professional information security analyst resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your information security analyst resume.

Apply for information security analyst jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an information security analyst job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average information security analyst salary

The average information security analyst salary in the United States is $98,144 per year or $47 per hour. Information security analyst salaries range between $71,000 and $135,000 per year.

Average information security analyst salary

$98,144 Yearly

$47.18 hourly

How do information security analysts rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Information security analyst reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020

Pros

Great Pay and Cyber Security Specialism

Cons

Cost Of the Exam ....its too Expensive

What is an information security analyst and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an information security analyst?

What are the pros and cons of being an information security analyst?

Information security analyst career paths

Key steps to become an information security analyst

Explore information security analyst education requirements

Most common information security analyst degrees

Start to develop specific information security analyst skills

Complete relevant information security analyst training and internships

Gain additional information security analyst certifications

Research information security analyst duties and responsibilities

Prepare your information security analyst resume

Choose from 10+ customizable information security analyst resume templates

Apply for information security analyst jobs

How did you land your first information security analyst job

Average information security analyst salary

How do information security analysts rate their job?

Information security analyst reviews

Information security analyst FAQs

Is being an information security analyst a good career?

What skills do you need to be an information security analyst?

Search for information security analyst jobs

Information security analyst jobs by state