Become a Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analyst
A structured path to entry level security roles: networking, Linux, security fundamentals, monitoring, vulnerability assessment and safe, legal practice labs.
What a Cybersecurity Analyst does
A cybersecurity analyst monitors systems for suspicious activity, investigates alerts, helps fix vulnerabilities and documents incidents. A typical day includes reviewing logs and alerts, checking systems against security standards, and working with IT teams to apply fixes.
Many freshers start in security operations centre roles, where they learn by handling real alerts under the guidance of senior analysts.
Skills and tools
Skills you need
- Networking fundamentals and common protocols
- Linux and Windows administration basics
- Security concepts: confidentiality, integrity and availability
- Log analysis and alert triage
- Vulnerability assessment basics
- Scripting with Python or Bash
- Clear incident documentation
Tools you will use
- Wireshark
- Nmap
- A SIEM platform
- Linux
- Burp Suite
- Python
Your path, in order
- Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking: BeginnerBeginner · 8 weeks · CertificateGo from zero to your first security assessment: Linux, networking, cryptography, ethical hacking methodology, and a professional vulnerability report.
- Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking: IntermediateIntermediate · 8 weeks · CertificateGo from learner to security professional: professional penetration testing, network and web assessment, Active Directory, blue team operations, and digital forensics.
- Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking: AdvancedAdvanced · 8 weeks · CertificateFrom professional to security architect: enterprise defence design, adversary simulation, exploit development, AI security, and security leadership.
Projects to build
Home lab network analysis
Set up a small lab with virtual machines, capture traffic with Wireshark, and document what normal and unusual traffic look like.
Vulnerability assessment report
Scan an intentionally vulnerable practice application in your own lab, and write a report with findings, risk levels and fixes.
Log analysis exercise
Analyse a public sample log dataset, identify suspicious events, and explain how you would respond.
What interviews cover
- The OSI model and common ports
- How TLS protects data in transit
- Common attack types such as phishing and injection
- What a SOC analyst does when an alert fires
- Difference between vulnerability, threat and risk
- Linux permissions and basic commands
Not sure where you are on this path?
Tell us your background and an advisor will call you with a plan that starts from what you already know, and the fee details for the options that fit.
Frequently asked questions
Only on systems you own or have written permission to test. Use your own lab and intentionally vulnerable practice applications.
Basic scripting in Python or Bash is very useful for automating analysis and understanding attacks.
Many start in security operations centre roles, handling and escalating alerts.
Search for SOC analyst, security analyst, information security analyst and junior penetration tester roles.