How to Be Application Security Analyst - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 20, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The increasing complexity of applications and their usage of the internet has caused a spike in security threats. This has led to the rise of Application Security Analysts, who are responsible for assessing the security of applications and identifying vulnerabilities in order to protect users from malicious actors like hackers. To do this, they must have a deep understanding of the applications code, architecture, and technical environment, as well as an in-depth knowledge of industry best practices, security protocols, and threat intelligence.

Application Security Analysts also use a wide range of tools and techniques such as static code scanning, dynamic testing, manual code reviews, penetration testing, and network scanning to ensure that applications are secure and resilient. With these measures in place, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches, malicious attacks, and other threats, thereby protecting their users and preserving their reputation.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become an application security analyst, the first step is to obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Additionally, many employers require a master's degree in a related field.
Pursue Certifications. Gaining certifications in ethical hacking, computer forensics, and other related areas will make you more marketable as an application security analyst. The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)² offers a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification for application security analysts.
Build Experience. The best way to build experience and knowledge in application security is to gain hands-on experience. Seek out an internship or entry-level position at a company that specializes in information security.
Obtain Security Clearance. Many application security analyst positions require a certain level of security clearance. To obtain security clearance, applicants must pass a background check to prove they are trustworthy and reliable.
Develop Your Skills. As technology advances, the skills of an application security analyst must also advance. Therefore, it is important to stay up to date on the latest trends and technologies in the field. This can be done by attending conferences, workshops, and webinars. Additionally, staying active in professional associations can help you build relationships and stay informed.

As the demand for online services and applications increases, so does the need for security analysts to help protect confidential data and ensure the security of these applications. Security analysts use a variety of methods to identify and mitigate potential security threats, such as analyzing application code for vulnerabilities, monitoring application activity for suspicious behavior, and implementing security protocols to protect against malicious attacks. By doing so, they help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and minimize the risk of data breaches. As a result, businesses and organizations can trust their applications and data are safe from malicious actors and can remain confident that their customers data is protected.

You may want to check Senior Security Consultant, Security Systems Administrator, and Cloud Security Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Perform security assessments, analyze and interpret security audit results, and recommend solutions to address identified risks.
Develop, implement and maintain security policies, procedures, and standards.
Monitor and review security systems to identify any potential security threats or vulnerabilities.
Oversee the design and implementation of application security architecture and secure coding practices.
Perform penetration testing to identify security gaps in applications, networks, and systems.
Analyze and investigate suspicious activities, incidents, or events that may threaten the security of the organizations systems.
Research and develop new security tools and techniques to detect potential vulnerabilities.
Stay up-to-date with the latest security trends and technologies.
Create reports that document security policies, processes, and procedures.
Respond to security incidents and perform incident response activities.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of web application security principles and best practices.
Knowledge of common threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques.
Understanding of authentication, authorization, and encryption protocols.
Ability to design secure architectures and applications.
Experience with vulnerability scanners and penetration testing tools.
Experience in risk assessment, threat modeling, and security auditing.
Experience with secure coding standards, web application firewalls, and intrusion detection systems.
Knowledge of programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML, PHP, Java, C#, and Python.
Ability to analyze system logs and network traffic for suspicious activity.
Familiarity with security compliance standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

The critical skill for a Security Analyst is to have a sound knowledge of network security, which involves the ability to identify and analyze potential threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities. This requires a deep understanding of the different security protocols, standards, and controls that are used to protect data, networks, and systems. It also requires the skill of developing and implementing security strategies and solutions to ensure the safety of IT infrastructure.

Security Analysts must be knowledgeable in the use of cyber-security tools, such as firewalls, malware detection, and data encryption. Without these technical skills, a Security Analyst cannot effectively identify and address security issues, leaving an organization vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This can lead to costly data breaches and loss of reputation, which can have a significant financial and reputational impact on a company.

Data Security Analyst, Cloud Security Architect, and Database Security Analyst are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest application security trends?
Describe a recent successful project you have completed that involved securing an application.
What measures do you take to protect applications from malicious attacks?
How do you prioritize when dealing with multiple security threats?
What experience do you have with risk assessment and management?
How would you go about developing a secure coding policy?
How do you ensure secure data transmission when using third-party applications?
Describe your experience using automated tools to identify application security flaws.
How do you educate developers on secure coding practices?
How do you ensure applications remain compliant with industry regulations?

Common Tools in Industry

Nessus. Nessus is a vulnerability scanner that helps organizations identify and assess potential cyber security threats. (Example: Scanning a network for vulnerable systems or applications)
Acunetix. Acunetix is a web application security testing tool that automatically scans websites and web applications for vulnerabilities. (Example: Auditing the security of a web application)
Burp Suite. Burp Suite is a comprehensive platform for performing security testing of web applications. (Example: Performing a penetration test to identify security flaws in a web application)
AppScan. AppScan is a tool used to scan mobile apps for vulnerabilities. (Example: Scanning mobile apps for malicious code or code vulnerabilities)
WebInspect. WebInspect is a dynamic application security testing tool used to identify security flaws in web applications. (Example: Identifying SQL injection vulnerabilities in a web application)
QualysGuard. QualysGuard is a cloud platform that provides security, compliance and threat protection capabilities. (Example: Generating a report on the security posture of an organizations network infrastructure)

Professional Organizations to Know

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project)
SANS Institute
ISSA (Information Systems Security Association)
Cloud Security Alliance
ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association)
The IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals)
The Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST)
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Collaboration Platform (CISCP)
The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)
The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)

We also have IT Infrastructure & Security Manager, Security Technician, and Senior Information Security Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Vulnerability Scanning. A process of identifying and assessing computer system vulnerabilities to identify potential threats.
Penetration Testing. The process of testing and attempting to exploit a system or network in order to identify security flaws.
Security Auditing. A process of evaluating the security posture of a system or network in terms of its compliance with industry standards, best practices, and/or regulatory requirements.
Risk Management. The process of analyzing, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with a system or network.
Application Whitelisting. An approach to security that only allows specified applications to run on the system.
Secure Coding. The practice of developing software in such a way that it is secure from potential attacks or vulnerabilities.
Access Control. A set of rules and methods used to restrict access to a system or network.
Network Security. The practice of protecting networks from malicious or unauthorized access.
Incident Response. The action taken when an incident occurs to help mitigate the effects of the attack and reduce its impact on the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is an Application Security Analyst? A1: An Application Security Analyst is a professional responsible for implementing and managing security measures for software applications to reduce the risk of a cyber attack or other security breach. Q2: What skills are necessary for an Application Security Analyst? A2: An Application Security Analyst should have strong knowledge of information security principles, software development lifecycle, secure coding principles, and experience with various security tools and technologies. Q3: What are the duties of an Application Security Analyst? A3: The duties of an Application Security Analyst include conducting security assessments, developing security policies and procedures, creating security architecture designs, and implementing secure coding practices. Q4: How many years of experience do you need to be an Application Security Analyst? A4: While the exact amount of experience required can vary depending on the employer, typically an Application Security Analyst should have at least 3-5 years of experience in software development, information security, or a related field. Q5: What is the average salary for an Application Security Analyst? A5: According to PayScale, the average salary for an Application Security Analyst is $82,967 per year as of 2020.

Web Resources

Current Opportunities | UO HR Website - careers.uoregon.edu careers.uoregon.edu
(DOC) Application Security Analyst | ravi k - Academia.edu www.academia.edu
How to Become a Information Security Analyst - Western Governors Uni www.wgu.edu