Career profile for Network Security Analyst

What does a Network Security Analyst do?

Network Security Analysts plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information.

In addition, Network Security Analysts

assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies,
may ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure,
may respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

What kind of tasks does a Network Security Analyst perform regularly?

Network Security Analysts are often responsible for overseeing or executing some or all of the following tasks:

Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
Monitor current reports of computer viruses to determine when to update virus protection systems.
Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted and to keep out tainted digital transfers.
Perform risk assessments and execute tests of data processing system to ensure functioning of data processing activities and security measures.
Modify computer security files to incorporate new software, correct errors, or change individual access status.
Review violations of computer security procedures and discuss procedures with violators to ensure violations are not repeated.
Confer with users to discuss issues such as computer data access needs, security violations, and programming changes.
Document computer security and emergency measures policies, procedures, and tests.
Monitor use of data files and regulate access to safeguard information in computer files.
Coordinate implementation of computer system plan with establishment personnel and outside vendors.
Train users and promote security awareness to ensure system security and to improve server and network efficiency.

The above responsibilities are specific to Network Security Analysts. More generally, Network Security Analysts are involved in several broader types of activities:

Activities	Importance	Details
Working with Computers		Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information		Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events		Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards		Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Processing Information		Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

What is a Network Security Analyst salary?

The median salary for a Network Security Analyst is $103,590, and the average salary is $107,580. Both the median and average roughly describe the middle of the Network Security Analyst salary range, but the average is more easily affected by extremely high or low salaries.

Many Network Security Analysts earn significantly more or less than the average, due to several factors. About 10% of Network Security Analysts earn less than $60,060 per year, 25% earn less than $78,440, 75% earn less than $132,890, and 90% earn less than $163,300.

Between the years of 2020 and 2030, the number of Network Security Analysts is expected to change by 33.4%, and there should be roughly 16,300 open positions for Network Security Analysts every year.

Median annual salary: $103,590
Typical salary range: $60,060 - $163,300
Projected growth (2020 - 2030): 33.4%

What personality traits are common among Network Security Analysts?

Interests

Career interests describe a person's preferences for different types of working environments and activities. When a person's interest match the demands of an occupation, people are usually more engaged and satisfied in that role.

Compared to most occupations, those who work as a Network Security Analyst are usually higher in their Conventional, Investigative, and Realistic interests.

Network Security Analysts typically have very strong Conventional interests. Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Also, Network Security Analysts typically have strong Investigative interests. Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Lastly, Network Security Analysts typically have moderate Realistic interests. Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Values

People differ in their values, or what is most important to them for building job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Compared to most people, those working as a Network Security Analyst tend to value Working Conditions, Support, and Independence.

Most importantly, Network Security Analysts strongly value Working Conditions. Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions.

Second, Network Security Analysts strongly value Support. Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.

Lastly, Network Security Analysts strongly value Independence. Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

Psychological Demands

Each occupation brings its own set of psychological demands, which describe the characteristics necessary to perform the job well.

In order to perform their job successfully, people who work as Network Security Analysts must consistently demonstrate qualities such as attention to detail, dependability, and integrity.

Below, you'll find a list of qualities typically required of Network Security Analysts, ranked by importance:

Demands	Importance	Details
Attention to Detail		Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability		Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity		Job requires being honest and ethical.
Analytical Thinking		Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Cooperation		Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Integrity

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Analytical Thinking

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Cooperation

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

What education and training do Network Security Analysts need?

Many Network Security Analysts will have a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Network Security Analysts usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Educational degrees among Network Security Analysts

0.8% did not complete high school or secondary school
4.2% completed high school or secondary school
16.4% completed some college coursework
10.1% earned a Associate's degree
42.8% earned a Bachelor's degree
23.7% earned a Master's degree
2.0% earned a doctorate or professional degree

Knowledge and expertise required by Network Security Analysts

Network Security Analysts may benefit from understanding of specialized subject areas, such as computers and electronics, administration and management, or engineering and technology knowledge.

The list below shows several areas in which most Network Security Analysts might want to build proficiency, ranked by importance.

Knowledge areas	Importance	Details
Computers and Electronics		Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management		Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Engineering and Technology		Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Telecommunications		Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Customer and Personal Service		Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Important Abilities needed by Network Security Analysts

Network Security Analysts must develop a particular set of abilities to perform their job well. Abilities are individual capacities that influence a person's information processing, sensory perception, motor coordination, and physical strength or endurance. Individuals may naturally have certain abilities without explicit training, but most abilities can be sharpened somewhat through practice.

For example, Network Security Analysts need abilities such as oral comprehension, written comprehension, and problem sensitivity in order to perform their job at a high level. The list below shows several important abilities for Network Security Analysts, ranked by their relative importance.

Abilities	Importance	Details
Oral Comprehension		The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension		The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Problem Sensitivity		The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Deductive Reasoning		The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning		The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Critical Skills needed by Network Security Analysts

Skills are developed capacities that enable people to function effectively in real-world settings. Unlike abilities, skills are typically easier to build through practice and experience. Skills influence effectiveness in areas such as learning, working with others, design, troubleshooting, and more.

Network Security Analysts frequently use skills like reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active listening to perform their job effectively. The list below shows several critical skills for Network Security Analysts, ranked by their relative importance.

Skills	Importance	Details
Reading Comprehension		Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking		Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Listening		Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving		Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking		Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

What is the source of this information?

The information provided on this page is adapted from data and descriptions published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration under the CC BY 4.0 license. TraitLab has modified some information for ease of use and reading, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this information, please send a message.

Career profile Network Security Analyst

Network Security Analyst

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