How to Be Network Quality Assurance Analyst - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 20, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The job of a Network Quality Assurance Analyst is to ensure that the quality of a network's data and services are consistent and reliable. This is done by monitoring the performance of the network, evaluating its security protocols, and testing the system for weaknesses or vulnerabilities. The results of these tests can then be used to make improvements to the network, which in turn can improve the overall quality of the network and its services.

The analyst also needs to be able to identify any potential problems before they become major issues and take action to prevent them from occurring. By doing so, the analyst is helping to protect the network from unwanted interruption, breaches, and data loss, all of which can have serious consequences for the user experience and damage the reputation of the company.

Steps How to Become

Obtain an Undergraduate Degree. To become a Network Quality Assurance Analyst, you should start by obtaining an undergraduate degree in a related field such as computer science, information technology, or network engineering. You should also take classes related to network security and network quality assurance.
Get Relevant Work Experience. After acquiring a degree, you should gain relevant work experience in the field. This could include working in a help desk or technical support role for a company that is involved in the development, deployment, or maintenance of networks.
Pursue Certification. There are numerous certifications available for Network Quality Assurance Analysts. Pursuing one of these certifications will demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the field and can help you stand out from other applicants.
Develop Your Skills. In order to become a successful Network Quality Assurance Analyst, you should strive to continually develop your skills and expand your knowledge. This can be done through attending workshops, seminars, or conferences related to network quality assurance, reading industry publications, or taking online courses.
Apply for Jobs. Once you have the necessary qualifications, you can begin applying for jobs as a Network Quality Assurance Analyst. Many companies look for candidates who have experience in the field as well as certifications, so be sure to highlight these qualifications when applying for jobs.

The quality assurance analyst is a critical role in any organization, as it ensures that the products and services delivered to customers meet the set standards. To be a successful quality assurance analyst, one must have the right skill set and competencies. This includes having comprehensive knowledge in the respective industry, being able to identify problems quickly and accurately, having excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and being able to use data and analytics to understand the root cause of issues.

the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple tasks is essential in this role. Having all the skills and competencies necessary for a quality assurance analyst leads to better professional performance, improved customer satisfaction, and higher customer retention rates.

You may want to check Wireless Network Engineer, Network Solutions Architect, and Network Project Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Monitor network performance using monitoring tools such as SNMP, NetFlow, and Wireshark.
Analyze and troubleshoot network issues by conducting root cause analysis.
Develop and maintain automated tools and processes to monitor network performance.
Analyze network data to identify potential areas of improvement or optimization.
Generate reports on network performance and capacity management.
Create and maintain documentation for network performance and maintenance procedures.
Work closely with IT teams to ensure network performance is optimized.
Provide input to network design and architecture decisions.
Track and report network performance trends over time.
Liaise with vendors to ensure quality of service and resolve any issues.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Analytical Thinking: Ability to identify, interpret and analyze data using tools and techniques such as root cause analysis.
Network Protocols: Knowledge of network protocols such as TCP/IP, DNS, UDP, HTTP, and SMTP.
Network Security: Understanding of network security best practices, such as firewalls, IPS/IDS, encryption, and authentication technologies.
Quality Assurance: Experience with Quality Assurance (QA) processes and techniques, such as test plans, test cases, and regression testing.
System Troubleshooting: Ability to identify and troubleshoot network and system problems.
Documentation: Ability to document network quality assurance processes and results.
Technical Writing: Proficiency in technical writing to create clear, concise technical documentation and reports.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate findings and recommendations to IT teams.
Project Management: Experience leading projects and coordinating with multiple stakeholders.
Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements for networks, such as PCI DSS and HIPAA.

Network Quality Assurance Analysts play a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of a network by testing and monitoring its performance and security. As such, the most important skill for this profession is the ability to think critically and analytically. Network Quality Assurance Analysts must have strong problem-solving skills and be able to identify potential issues before they arise.

They must be able to analyze data, create reports, and make informed decisions based on their findings. they need to be well-versed in network technologies such as routers, switches, firewalls, and other network components. Knowledge of programming languages such as Python or JavaScript is also desirable, as this allows them to create automated scripts to automate tasks.

Finally, having excellent communication skills is essential in order to effectively communicate with stakeholders and ensure that the network is running optimally. All of these skills are essential for a successful Network Quality Assurance Analyst, and they must be developed in order to ensure the stability and security of networks.

Network Operations Analyst, Network System Administrator, and Voice Network Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in network quality assurance?
Describe a successful project you have worked on in this role.
How do you ensure network quality is maintained?
What strategies do you use to ensure that networks are running at optimal performance?
What methods do you use to identify and address network problems?
How do you develop and maintain network quality assurance plans?
What techniques do you use to troubleshoot network problems?
How do you measure the effectiveness of network performance?
How do you stay up-to-date with new technologies and industry best practices related to network quality assurance?
What challenges have you faced in network quality assurance and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Network Protocol Analyzer. This tool captures and analyzes network traffic to detect anomalies in the data, such as packet loss, excessive latency, or unexpected errors. (Eg: Wireshark)
Network Performance Monitoring Tool. This tool provides real-time performance analysis of the network, including latency, packet loss, and throughput. (Eg: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor)
Network Vulnerability Scanner. This tool scans the network for potential security weaknesses, such as open ports or unpatched software. (Eg: Nessus)
Automated Testing Tool. This tool automates the process of testing network performance, ensuring that the network meets quality standards. (Eg: Neotys NeoLoad)
Network Configuration Management Tool. This tool helps to maintain accurate records of all changes made to the network and its configuration. (Eg: SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager)

Professional Organizations to Know

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Global Network Performance Analysis Association (GNPAA)
Society of Quality Assurance (SQA)
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
Performance Analysis Network (PAN)
Network Professional Association (NPA)
International Society of Automation (ISA)
International Test and Analysis Network (ITAN)

We also have Network Solutions Engineer, Senior Network Engineer, and Computer Network Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Quality Assurance (QA). A set of processes, tools, and techniques used to ensure the quality of a product or service.
Quality Control (QC). The process of verifying that a product or service meets predetermined standards of quality.
Testing. The process of executing a program or system to identify any errors or defects.
Automation. The use of technology to automate the process of testing software and other products.
Performance Testing. The process of evaluating a product or service's performance in terms of speed, scalability, and reliability.
Security Testing. The process of identifying and mitigating potential security risks in a product or service.
Network Monitoring. The process of monitoring a network for traffic patterns, performance issues, and malicious activities.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA). The process of identifying the underlying cause of an issue and taking corrective action to prevent it from happening again.
Acceptance Testing. The process of evaluating a product or service against predetermined acceptance criteria before it is released to the customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Network Quality Assurance Analyst?

A Network Quality Assurance Analyst is a professional responsible for testing, evaluating, and ensuring the quality of network systems and services. They use various tools and techniques to identify any performance or security issues within a network and recommend solutions to improve the overall quality of the system.

What skills do Network Quality Assurance Analysts need?

Network Quality Assurance Analysts need strong analytical skills, technical knowledge of network systems and protocols, and experience with testing and troubleshooting network-related issues. They must also have good communication and problem-solving skills to work collaboratively with network engineers and other stakeholders.

What is the average salary for a Network Quality Assurance Analyst?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Network Quality Assurance Analyst is $72,923 per year in the United States.

What are common tasks for a Network Quality Assurance Analyst?

Common tasks for Network Quality Assurance Analysts include designing and implementing test plans, analyzing test results, troubleshooting network issues, documenting system performance and security issues, recommending improvements, and developing network performance monitoring tools.

What certifications are available for Network Quality Assurance Analysts?

There are several certifications available for Network Quality Assurance Analysts, including CompTIA's Network+ certification, Cisco's Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification, and Juniper Networks' Junos Security certification.