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

May 11, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The increasing prevalence of cyber-attacks is having a direct and drastic effect on the demand for network security analysts. As cyber criminals become more sophisticated, businesses are becoming more aware of the need to invest in proactive security measures like hiring a network security analyst. Network security analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's networks and systems, using a variety of methods such as firewalls, anti-virus software, and encryption technologies. By ensuring that these systems are kept secure, organizations can minimize their risk of experiencing a data breach or other malicious attacks, and protect their valuable assets and confidential data.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, computer engineering or a related field can provide the foundation for a career as a network security analyst. Coursework may include topics such as programming, computer networks, database management and cyber security.
Gain Relevant Experience. Relevant experience is highly-valued by employers, as many positions require a combination of technical skills and experience. Working as an entry-level network engineer, network administrator or IT security specialist can provide valuable experience in network security.
Obtain Additional Certifications. Continuing education and certifications can demonstrate knowledge of the latest security trends and techniques. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is the most popular and widely-recognized certification for network security analysts. Other certifications include the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Global Information Assurance Certifications (GIAC) and CompTIA Security+.
Understand Network Security Protocols. Network security analysts must understand industry standards and protocols for setting up secure networks. Knowledge of VPNs, firewalls, intrusion detection systems and encryption protocols is essential for success in the field.
Stay Current on Developments. As technology evolves, so do the threats to networks. Network security analysts must stay up-to-date on the latest trends in cyber security to identify and prevent potential attacks.

Cause: Network Security Analysts are increasingly in demand as cyber-attacks become more frequent and complex. Effect: To remain competitive in the marketplace, organizations must ensure they hire reliable, qualified security analysts who possess the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to protect their networks from cyber-attacks. Skills such as cryptography, malware analysis, risk management, network security policy development, and network security auditing are essential for successful network security analysts.

many organizations require a relevant degree or certification in order to be considered for the position. Qualified security analysts are also expected to have a good understanding of current trends in cyber-security, the ability to develop and implement effective security policies, and the capability to respond quickly to security incidents.

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Job Description

Design, implement, and maintain network security solutions.
Monitor network activity for suspicious behavior and investigate potential security breaches.
Develop and deploy security solutions that protect the organization from malicious attacks.
Configure firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), access control lists (ACLs), and other security measures to protect the organization's data.
Conduct regular vulnerability scans to identify weaknesses in the network infrastructure.
Research emerging security threats and develop countermeasures to protect the organization's systems.
Develop and document security policies and procedures.
Train users on security best practices and procedures to help ensure compliance with company policies.
Coordinate with other IT teams to ensure the secure deployment of new systems and applications.
Respond to incidents with appropriate urgency and take appropriate corrective action.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Network Architecture: Ability to design, deploy, and manage secure network architectures for a variety of organizations.
Firewall Configuration: Knowledge of how to configure, manage, and troubleshoot firewalls.
Network Troubleshooting: Ability to identify, diagnose, and resolve networking problems.
Network Monitoring: Understanding of different network monitoring and analysis techniques.
Security Protocols: Knowledge of various security protocols and standards, such as IPSec and SSH.
Risk Assessment: Understanding of risk assessment methodology and experience performing risk assessments.
Data Encryption: Knowledge of encryption technologies and implementation techniques.
Authentication & Authorization: Understanding of authentication and authorization protocols, such as LDAP and Kerberos.
Intrusion Detection: Knowledge of intrusion detection systems, signature-based detection and anomaly-based detection.
Scripting & Programming: Ability to write scripts and programs to automate security processes and tasks.
Compliance Requirements: Understanding of various industry compliance requirements, such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOX.
Incident Response: Experience with incident response procedures and best practices for responding to security incidents.

Network Security Analysts play an important role in keeping networks secure and protecting them from malicious attacks. A successful Network Security Analyst must possess a wide range of skills in order to be effective. The most important skill of a Network Security Analyst is their aptitude for staying up to date with the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and technologies.

They must have an understanding of the most current security protocols and have the ability to identify weaknesses within a network and devise solutions to address them. Network Security Analysts need to have a good understanding of networking fundamentals, system administration, and programming, as well as knowledge of security tools and software. Furthermore, they must have strong analytical and problem solving skills so that they can use data to identify potential security issues.

Finally, good communication skills are necessary in order for a Network Security Analyst to effectively collaborate with other teams and explain technical concepts to non-technical users. With these skills, a Network Security Analyst will be able to protect networks from malicious attacks and ensure that data is secure.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have related to network security?
How do you identify and analyze security threats?
How do you maintain and configure firewalls?
What tools do you use to monitor network security?
How do you maintain compliance with security regulations?
How do you develop and implement security policies?
How do you handle security investigations?
What processes do you use to detect suspicious network activity?
What strategies do you use to protect against malicious code and viruses?
How do you stay up to date on new technologies related to network security?

Common Tools in Industry

Wireshark. Network Protocol Analyzer used to capture and analyze network traffic. (eg: Wireshark can be used to analyze packets on a local network and troubleshoot communication issues).
Nmap. a network security scanner used to discover devices on a network, as well as their ports, services and operating systems. (eg: Nmap can be used to scan a network for open ports and vulnerabilities).
Nessus. a vulnerability scanner that can detect known vulnerabilities in applications, operating systems and network configurations. (eg: Nessus can be used to detect unpatched security flaws in a system).
Snort. a network intrusion detection system used to detect malicious activity on a network. (eg: Snort can be used to detect malicious traffic such as port scans and denial of service attacks).
Tripwire. a file integrity monitoring tool used to detect unauthorized changes to files or directories. (eg: Tripwire can be used to detect changes to critical system files that may indicate malicious activity).
AIDE. an intrusion detection system used to detect unauthorized changes to files or directories. (eg: AIDE can be used to detect changes to system files and configuration settings that may indicate malicious activity).

Professional Organizations to Know

Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
National Information Assurance Training and Education Center (NIATEC)
International Information Systems Forensics Association (IISFA)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
International Information System Security Certification Consortium-Asia Pacific (ISC2AP)
National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA)

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Common Important Terms

Firewall. A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
VPN. A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure, encrypted connection between two networks or between an individual user and a network.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS). An intrusion detection system is a type of security software designed to detect malicious or unauthorized activity on a computer system or network.
Malware. Malware is a type of malicious software designed to damage or disrupt a computer system or network.
Access Control List (ACL). An access control list (ACL) is a list of permissions that specify which users or systems are allowed to access which resources, such as files and folders.
Packet Filtering. Packet filtering is the process of inspecting and filtering packets as they enter or leave a network.
Network Address Translation (NAT). Network address translation (NAT) is a process of remapping one IP address space into another by modifying network address information in the Internet Protocol (IP) header of packets while they are in transit across a traffic routing device.
Encryption. Encryption is the process of encoding data so that it is unreadable to anyone except those with the correct key or password.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of degree is typically required to become a Network Security Analyst?

A bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field is typically required to become a Network Security Analyst.

What certifications do Network Security Analysts need?

Network Security Analysts usually need certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

What skills are important for a Network Security Analyst?

Network Security Analysts must have strong technical skills and knowledge of network security, including firewalls, encryption, authentication protocols, and intrusion detection and prevention systems. They must also have excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

What are the job duties of a Network Security Analyst?

The job duties of a Network Security Analyst include monitoring network activity for security breaches, updating network security policies and procedures, performing vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, and developing security plans.

How much does a Network Security Analyst typically earn?

The median annual salary for a Network Security Analyst is $90,120 per year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Web Resources

What Does a Network Security Analyst Do? | ECPI University www.ecpi.edu
Network Security Analyst Rockwell Career Center | Bauer careercenter.bauer.uh.edu
Network Security, Certificate - sfcollege.edu www.sfcollege.edu