Network security analyst vs cyber security analyst

The differences between network security analysts and cyber security analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a network security analyst and a cyber security analyst. Additionally, a cyber security analyst has an average salary of $88,422, which is higher than the $81,623 average annual salary of a network security analyst.

The top three skills for a network security analyst include network security, windows and incident response. The most important skills for a cyber security analyst are incident response, windows, and SIEM.

Network security analyst vs cyber security analyst overview

	Network Security Analyst	Cyber Security Analyst
Yearly salary	$81,623	$88,422
Hourly rate	$39.24	$42.51
Growth rate	32%	32%
Number of jobs	82,954	64,387
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	6	6

What does a network security analyst do?

Network security analysts are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for designing and implementing security measures to prevent suspicious or hostile activities on the computer and network systems for an organization. These analysts must install firewalls while working with the IT team to protect their systems against malicious attacks. They are required to perform forensic analysis on those malicious activities so that they can determine the source of the threats. Network security analysts must also communicate the state of information security to the stakeholders as well as suggesting ways to improve system security.

What does a cyber security analyst do?

A cybersecurity analyst is responsible for planning and carrying out security measures to protect a company's computer networks and systems. They constantly keep tabs on threats and monitor their organization's networks for any security breaches. Their tasks involve installing computer programs or software and encryption, reporting breaches or weak spots, exploring new IT trends, educating the company's information security team on security. They also do simulate security attacks to find possible network and system vulnerabilities.

Network security analyst vs cyber security analyst salary

Network security analysts and cyber security analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Network Security Analyst	Cyber Security Analyst
Average salary	$81,623	$88,422
Salary range	Between $61,000 And $108,000	Between $66,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	California	Oregon
Best paying company	Bunge	Neighborly
Best paying industry	Professional	Automotive

Differences between network security analyst and cyber security analyst education

There are a few differences between a network security analyst and a cyber security analyst in terms of educational background:

	Network Security Analyst	Cyber Security Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Information Systems
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	California State University - Bakersfield

Network security analyst vs cyber security analyst demographics

Here are the differences between network security analysts' and cyber security analysts' demographics:

	Network Security Analyst	Cyber Security Analyst
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 84.9% Female, 15.1%	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between network security analyst and cyber security analyst duties and responsibilities

Network security analyst example responsibilities.

Manage endpoint encryption, antivirus/anti-malware host IPS, process documentation, incident management.
Design and manage information systems security policy, implementation, and management for a globally distribute MPLS infrastructure.
Install and provide upkeep for Linux scanning, storage and group-relate web and network management servers.
Create shell scripts to generate list of all files directories ownership companywide on all UNIX and Linux systems.
Assist with NIST 800-171 compliance initiative.
Utilize ArcSight SIEM to create rules, filters and channels.

Cyber security analyst example responsibilities.

Ensure all requirements are met to successfully achieve an ATO before release.
Leverage this same site-to-site VPN technology to automate and secure transactions between FMC and its business partners.
Lead technical implementation through multiple projects to reduce the cardholder data environment and ultimately reduce the scope of PCI relate environments.
Log analysis & managing the accuracy of DLP identification to lowering/avoiding false positives and negatives.
Review and manage the security and information assurance capabilities of database applications, database structure and architecture.
Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.

Network security analyst vs cyber security analyst skills

Common network security analyst skills

Network Security, 11%
Windows, 5%
Incident Response, 4%
Switches, 3%
Linux, 3%
Tcp Ip, 3%

Common cyber security analyst skills

Incident Response, 8%
Windows, 6%
SIEM, 5%
DOD, 5%
Linux, 4%
Security Events, 4%

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Network Security Analyst vs Cyber Security Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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