Who is a Security Analyst?

One of the most vital positions in implementing and maintaining security controls around a company’s critical data is the security analyst role. The main responsibility of a security analyst is to keep sensitive digital assets out of reach when it comes to cyber attacks. This can be accomplished by working to protect the company’s technological infrastructure including its computers, servers, applications, terminals…etc. Security analysts thus occupy an inter-departmental role that spans a wide variety of objectives to fix previously identified security flaws within both assets and security controls, and to recommend safeguard measures to prevent breaches.

To meet their objectives, security analysts can run thorough assessments on their targeted assets (hardware or software), the results of these assessments will be used to direct effort towards and focus on mitigating security issues and vulnerabilities. Cyber security operations are so important to business continuity and their success is an essential part of meeting compulsory industry regulations and standards, that is exactly why security analysts have versatile duties that span across the whole compliance process. They are responsible for planning and design, assistance and IT help, management and audit, and maintenance of systems and software. Their adaptable roles make sure that security analysts are involved, in one way or another, in every single stage of IT development and deployment.

While a small percentage of security analysts work for financial and computing companies, the vast majority of them work for security firms and managed service providers (MSPs). The number of small to medium-sized businesses who outsource their security operations to third party MSPs is increasing and thus making the role of security analysts more in demand. Analysts facilitate security operations by establishing and maintaining proper security controls for their clients’ digital assets.

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, security analyst roles are expected to grow a substantial 18 percent by the year 2024. 18 percent is significantly higher than the average growth rate of all other occupations, which can only make the demand for these professionals higher and higher with time.