As an entry-level cyber security analyst, every day is a new challenge. You’re on the front lines of protecting a company’s digital assets from the ever-evolving threat of cyber attacks. You might think of it as a game of cat and mouse, and you’re the cat trying to catch the mouse before it does any damage. But it’s not just a game – the stakes are high. In today’s world, a company’s data is its lifeblood, and a successful cyber attack can cause irreparable damage. So, what exactly does an entry-level cyber security analyst do? Let’s dig deeper.

What does an entry-level cyber security analyst do?

What Does an Entry-Level Cyber Security Analyst Do?

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field that is becoming increasingly important in today’s world. As more and more information is stored digitally, cyber threats are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. That’s why entry-level cyber security analysts are crucial in keeping systems safe and secure. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what an entry-level cyber security analyst does.

Understanding System Vulnerabilities

One of the most important responsibilities of an entry-level cyber security analyst is to understand the vulnerabilities in systems and networks. This means identifying the weaknesses in the software and hardware used by a company. Analysts must be able to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities in network systems by conducting risk assessments and security audits. They must also keep up with the latest trends in cyber attacks and vulnerabilities in order to be aware of emerging threats.

To accomplish this task, entry-level cyber security analysts typically follow these steps:

• Conducting vulnerability scans using specialized software.
• Providing recommendations for remediation based on the scan results.
• Identifying emerging security threats and vulnerabilities.
• Working with other team members to develop and implement security measures to mitigate identified risks.

Conducting Security Assessments

Another important responsibility of entry-level cyber security analysts is to conduct security assessments. These assessments are designed to identify risks and vulnerabilities in the company’s systems and networks. Security assessments are critical for identifying gaps in an organization’s defenses and for making recommendations to improve overall security posture.

An entry-level cyber security analyst may carry out these tasks:

• Conducting comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential security threats.
• Working with stakeholders to identify critical IT assets and data.
• Developing comprehensive security plans for individual assets or systems.
• Identifying vulnerabilities in the company’s digital infrastructure.

Implementing Security Measures

Once potential vulnerabilities have been identified through security assessments, entry-level cyber security analysts must work with other team members to implement security measures. These measures can include software updates, firewall configurations, data encryption, or other preventative measures to avoid and mitigate risks.

Some of the security measures that may be implemented are:

• Performing IT asset hardening to remove unnecessary access points, services, or software.
• Deploying incident response strategies, including containment plans and backups.
• Installing multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive data.
• Applying access controls, including user permissions and segmentation.

Monitoring Network Traffic

Entry-level cyber security analysts should monitor network traffic to proactively identify threats or suspicious activity. This is usually done through specialized software that can detect potential bad actors or unauthorized users. These analysts should also be capable of taking remedial action in case of an intrusion.

Here are some important duties of an entry-level cyber security analyst monitoring network traffic:

• Investigating and documenting security incidents as appropriate.
• Developing and executing a plan of action during a security incident, including containment, eradication, and recovery.
• Conducting forensic analysis on data breaches or other security incidents.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant industry security standards, including HIPAA, PCI/DSS, and NIST.

Incident Response and Investigation

In a rapidly changing threat landscape, quick incident response and investigation is vital. Entry-level cyber security analysts must be able to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. They should also be capable of investigating security incidents, identifying the root cause, and developing recommendations for remediating the issue.

Here are some critical tasks in incident response and investigation:

• Coordinating with IT system owners and stakeholders to determine the scope of the incident.
• Identifying the root cause of the incident and developing remediation recommendations.
• Documenting the incident, including the scope of impact and the remediation process.
• Proactively identifying technology or policy solutions to prevent future security incidents.

Maintaining Security Protocols

An entry-level cyber security analyst should be able to maintain and improve existing security protocols within the company. These protocols are designed to mitigate vulnerabilities and prevent security incidents from happening in the first place. Analysts must ensure that all employees within an organization are following the security protocols, and take corrective actions, if necessary.

An entry-level cyber security analyst’s duties on maintaining security protocols include:

• Collaborating with other IT personnel to maintain security procedures, policies, and standards within the organization.
• Organizing informational sessions to improve security awareness and compliance within the organization.
• Conducting regular review and improvements of security protocols and procedures.
• Maintaining the network architecture and documentation up-to-date.

Cybersecurity Risk Assessment

Finally, entry-level cyber security analysts must be able to assess cyber risk. This is important to continually improve security protections in the organization and mitigate risks to the company’s network systems, assets, and reputation.

Here are the important tasks and responsibilities of entry-level cyber security analysts on cybersecurity risk assessment:

• Assessing security risks and vulnerabilities for new technologies and systems within the organization.
• Identifying and prioritizing security initiatives and supporting their implementation.
• Evaluating security technology and its compatibility with existing systems.
• Providing expertise in developing a security strategy to address risks and vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

An entry-level cyber security analyst is an integral part of a company’s IT team that ensures the security of the company’s assets, systems, and reputation. Their work is critical to identifying potential vulnerabilities and threats, conducting security assessments, implementing security measures, monitoring network traffic, responding to security incidents, maintaining security protocols, and assessing cyber risk. Entry-level cyber security analysts must also be up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity trends and threats to maintain the overall security of the systems.