What does a senior cyber security analyst do?
A senior cybersecurity analyst provides assistance in designing and implementing IT security systems in organizations or companies. Senior cybersecurity analysts protect the computer networks of organizations from any cyber-attack. They respond and analyze different cyber incidents as necessary. They offer actionable investigative leads to investigators to prevent terrorist or criminal acts in the future. Also, they establish and update procedures and documentation for various duties in ISO and ITIL formats.
Senior cyber security analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior cyber security analyst resumes:
- Research and authore white paper advocating a framework for managing risk to the most critical DoD systems.
- Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
- Lead ArcSight SIEM, MacAfee HBSS, mail gateway and firewall administrator.
- Use Splunk and FireEye CMS, among other tools for security response to triage security issues.
- Interrogate and monitor agency network traffic using QRadar SIEM.
- Import data sources into Splunk and write custom RegEx to parse key fields.
- Analyze security reports (Appscan, Nessus) to identify vulnerabilities and create mitigation strategies.
- Issue and revoke PKI certificates for use with secure email, digital signatures, file encryption, and SSL protection.
- Experience with vulnerability scanning using Nessus.
- Conduct network vulnerability security assessments on DoD networks.
- Configure Cisco routers & translations/routing database for Data/Voice services.
- Configure vulnerability scans and provide remediation plans for non-compliant servers.
- Analyze security and firewall logs and investigate all irregularities as needed.
- Work with service providers and software/hardware vendors to acknowledge responsibility for maintaining applicable PCI DSS requirements.
- Maintain confidentiality of information residing in corporate databases, workstations, servers, and other systems.
Senior cyber security analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Senior Cyber Security Analysts are proficient in Cyber Security, Incident Response, and NIST. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Cyber Security Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cyber Security, 18%
Performed literally thousands of cyber security vulnerability assessments/analysis.
- Incident Response, 7%
Conduct advanced incident response actions security incidents.
- NIST, 6%
Participated in Certification & Accreditation packages based on NIST standards for general support systems and major applications.
- Windows, 6%
Involved in developing a module for Windows Logging Service (WLS) for incorporating data into the ES app.
- RMF, 5%
Utilize Xacta to perform steps required by the Risk Management Framework (RMF) in support of the ATO process.
- DOD, 4%
Researched and authored white paper advocating a framework for managing risk to the most critical DoD systems.
Common skills that a senior cyber security analyst uses to do their job include "cyber security," "incident response," and "nist." You can find details on the most important senior cyber security analyst responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior cyber security analyst to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what senior cyber security analysts do because "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved." Additionally, a senior cyber security analyst resume shows how senior cyber security analysts use analytical skills: "submit systems for registration in the dod it portfolio repository - department of the navy (ditpr-don) portfolio management database. "
Detail oriented. Many senior cyber security analyst duties rely on detail oriented. "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.," so a senior cyber security analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior cyber security analyst responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "drafted alerts and detailed reports identifying network intrusions on compromised dod hosts. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for senior cyber security analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how senior cyber security analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior cyber security analyst: "review assured compliance assessment solution (acas) nessus scans/scap results for redhat linux and windows operating systems. ".
The three companies that hire the most senior cyber security analysts are:
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Compare different senior cyber security analysts
Senior cyber security analyst vs. Information assurance engineer
Information assurance engineers are responsible for protecting an organization's data. They act as a team of security specialists that use their skill in securely operating and keeping data to protect the organization's most essential asset. Their main role is to guarantee the quality, security, and retrievability of the organization's information. Also, they outline security systems that make certain the integrity, confidentiality, and accessibility of data. Additionally, they secure IT infrastructure, maintain hardware and software updated, establish security standards, and monitor threats like breaches.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior cyber security analyst are more likely to require skills like "cyber security," "nist," "siem," and "splunk." On the other hand, a job as an information assurance engineer requires skills like "iam," "security engineering," "security posture," and "computer system." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Information assurance engineers really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $97,153. Comparatively, senior cyber security analysts tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $96,601.information assurance engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than senior cyber security analysts. In fact, information assurance engineers are 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Senior cyber security analyst vs. Analyst
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior cyber security analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cyber security," "incident response," "nist," and "windows." Meanwhile, an analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "troubleshoot," "data analysis," and "project management." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Analysts earn a lower average salary than senior cyber security analysts. But analysts earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $79,330. Additionally, senior cyber security analysts earn the highest salaries in the hospitality with average pay of $96,601 annually.analysts earn similar levels of education than senior cyber security analysts in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior cyber security analyst vs. Security engineer
Security engineers are responsible for developing and overseeing data and security software to help prevent data breaches, leaks, and taps related to cybercrime. Other duties and responsibilities include developing new systems to help protect computer networks and assets, configuring firewalls, and conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Additionally, security engineers are responsible for investigating attacks and help prevent cybersecurity threat. They are also responsible for creating new processes for authorization, encryption algorithms, and authentication, and analyzing current security policies.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior cyber security analyst is likely to be skilled in "cyber security," "rmf," "security events," and "acas," while a typical security engineer is skilled in "java," "cloud security," "infrastructure," and "application security."
Security engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $126,572. Senior cyber security analysts earn the highest pay from the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $96,601.security engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior cyber security analysts. Specifically, they're 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior cyber security analyst vs. Securities consultant
A securities consultant is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the company's premises, including enforcing protection for all the employees and company assets. Securities consultants also handle the confidentiality and stability of data network systems to prevent potential breaches and unauthorized access to information. They coordinate with the system analysts to design programs and databases as part of technical solutions to maximize productivity and increase efficiency. A securities consultant writes incident reports, recommend strategic techniques, and research threat risks that may put the company in jeopardy.
Types of senior cyber security analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
