3 answers
Paymahn
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
2
Questions
Asked
229 views
I am currently interested in the IT career Cybersecurity Analyst. I have a few questions regarding basic research about the job. Such as; What inspired you to pursue a job in Cybersecurity? There are more questions in the "additional information" area below
My Questions Include -
Question 1:
What inspired you to pursue a job in Cybersecurity?
Question 2:
What is a specific IT skill that is very important to succeed in this line of work?
Question 3:
What are some examples of work you participate in on an average day?
Question 4:
What is the most important skill someone needs to work efficiently in this job?
Question 5:
What is one of the most memorable or most challenging projects you’ve worked on?
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3 answers
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
477
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
Are you currently attending high school?
You might find it rewarding to consider an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Electrical Engineering. These fields can equip you with the skills to combat hackers and prevent financial devastation, even when the threat is state-sponsored.
Start by prioritizing your academic performance, especially in Math, Science, English, and Physics. Strive for a high GPA in these subjects.
Enroll in AP courses and aim for top scores. Push your boundaries by engaging in computer-related or robotics hobbies.
Also, consider taking computer programming courses while you're still in high school.
Once you've accomplished these tasks, you'll be in a better position to explore the questions you're asking.
The tech industry is not only financially rewarding but also offers immense satisfaction and fulfillment.
You might find it rewarding to consider an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Electrical Engineering. These fields can equip you with the skills to combat hackers and prevent financial devastation, even when the threat is state-sponsored.
Start by prioritizing your academic performance, especially in Math, Science, English, and Physics. Strive for a high GPA in these subjects.
Enroll in AP courses and aim for top scores. Push your boundaries by engaging in computer-related or robotics hobbies.
Also, consider taking computer programming courses while you're still in high school.
Once you've accomplished these tasks, you'll be in a better position to explore the questions you're asking.
The tech industry is not only financially rewarding but also offers immense satisfaction and fulfillment.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Paymahn
Biplab Panda
Engagement Director
116
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Biplab’s Answer
Hi Paymahn,
Although I myself am not a cybersecurity analyst, many of the people on my team are cybersecurity analysts, so I'll do my best to answer as many of your questions as I can:
1. What inspired you to pursue a job in Cybersecurity?
I work as an engagement director essentially responsible for the overall success of our cybersecurity project delivery for our clients with some additional sales and profit/loss responsibilities. I did not "pursue" a job in cybersecurity, but instead in project management -- even a cybersecurity-focused team needs help from project leaders to ensure that we are delivering at or above both internal and client stakeholder expectations.
2. What is a specific IT skill that is very important to succeed in this line of work?
Ability to use and understand information presented in a SIEM (Security Information Event Management) tool such as Splunk, SentinelOne, or others.
3. What are some examples of work you participate in on an average day?
Answering from the perspective of the cybersecurity analysts on my team, typical work can involve reviewing, triaging, resolving, and, as appropriate, escalating security incident alerts.
4. What is the most important skill someone needs to work efficiently in this job?
Good problem-solving, triaging, analysis, and time management skills.
5. What is one of the most memorable or most challenging projects you’ve worked on?
Most memorable would be TekStream's partnership with Louisiana State University to run a jointly managed security operations center partnering student security analysts with my company's security engineering team.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Although I myself am not a cybersecurity analyst, many of the people on my team are cybersecurity analysts, so I'll do my best to answer as many of your questions as I can:
1. What inspired you to pursue a job in Cybersecurity?
I work as an engagement director essentially responsible for the overall success of our cybersecurity project delivery for our clients with some additional sales and profit/loss responsibilities. I did not "pursue" a job in cybersecurity, but instead in project management -- even a cybersecurity-focused team needs help from project leaders to ensure that we are delivering at or above both internal and client stakeholder expectations.
2. What is a specific IT skill that is very important to succeed in this line of work?
Ability to use and understand information presented in a SIEM (Security Information Event Management) tool such as Splunk, SentinelOne, or others.
3. What are some examples of work you participate in on an average day?
Answering from the perspective of the cybersecurity analysts on my team, typical work can involve reviewing, triaging, resolving, and, as appropriate, escalating security incident alerts.
4. What is the most important skill someone needs to work efficiently in this job?
Good problem-solving, triaging, analysis, and time management skills.
5. What is one of the most memorable or most challenging projects you’ve worked on?
Most memorable would be TekStream's partnership with Louisiana State University to run a jointly managed security operations center partnering student security analysts with my company's security engineering team.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
James Patterson Wicks
Cyber Security Leader
14
Answers
West Orange, New Jersey
Updated
James Patterson’s Answer
My Questions Include -
Question 1: What inspired you to pursue a job in Cybersecurity?
As a network and systems engineer, I needed to protect my environment from attack. Cyber security was the next step in my journey as a technologist.
Question 2: What is a specific IT skill that is very important to succeed in this line of work?
Strong networking skills are lacking for many people working in cyber security. It's mainly due to the lack of hands-on experience managing corporate networks. I recommend that anyone interested in cyber security purchase an SOHO firewall and access point for their home and set it up, creating different separate networks and SSIDs for each person in the house, for IoT devices, and for guests. They will gain a ton of experience while limiting the damage from mistakes to their house instead of a business.
Question 3: What are some examples of work you participate in on an average day?
I cannot go into the specifics for OpSec reasons, but here are general "Day in the Life" activities for a cyber security analyst:
- Monitor systems for threats and anomalies.
- Analyze and investigate security incidents.
- Coordinate with users and engineers on incident response efforts.
- Contain and mitigate threats.
- Perform digital forensics for incident investigations.
- Communicate with stakeholders during incidents.
- Conduct post-incident reviews and reporting.
- Maintain and update incident response documentation.
- Train through simulations and exercises.
- Work on new skills and certifications
Question 4: What is the most important skill someone needs to work efficiently in this job?
Communication. No one in cyber security can do it all. Effectively communicating with others at their level is key to a successful cyber security career.
Question 5: What is one of the most memorable or most challenging projects you’ve worked on?
My first forensic analysis of a system was most memorable because it took sooooo long. Because I was new, I looked at every single piece of data in the collection rather than focusing on the nature of the alert. I learned that when you have firm, alert information, start with a narrow focus and broaden it as needed rather than having a broad focus and narrowing it down.
Question 1: What inspired you to pursue a job in Cybersecurity?
As a network and systems engineer, I needed to protect my environment from attack. Cyber security was the next step in my journey as a technologist.
Question 2: What is a specific IT skill that is very important to succeed in this line of work?
Strong networking skills are lacking for many people working in cyber security. It's mainly due to the lack of hands-on experience managing corporate networks. I recommend that anyone interested in cyber security purchase an SOHO firewall and access point for their home and set it up, creating different separate networks and SSIDs for each person in the house, for IoT devices, and for guests. They will gain a ton of experience while limiting the damage from mistakes to their house instead of a business.
Question 3: What are some examples of work you participate in on an average day?
I cannot go into the specifics for OpSec reasons, but here are general "Day in the Life" activities for a cyber security analyst:
- Monitor systems for threats and anomalies.
- Analyze and investigate security incidents.
- Coordinate with users and engineers on incident response efforts.
- Contain and mitigate threats.
- Perform digital forensics for incident investigations.
- Communicate with stakeholders during incidents.
- Conduct post-incident reviews and reporting.
- Maintain and update incident response documentation.
- Train through simulations and exercises.
- Work on new skills and certifications
Question 4: What is the most important skill someone needs to work efficiently in this job?
Communication. No one in cyber security can do it all. Effectively communicating with others at their level is key to a successful cyber security career.
Question 5: What is one of the most memorable or most challenging projects you’ve worked on?
My first forensic analysis of a system was most memorable because it took sooooo long. Because I was new, I looked at every single piece of data in the collection rather than focusing on the nature of the alert. I learned that when you have firm, alert information, start with a narrow focus and broaden it as needed rather than having a broad focus and narrowing it down.
Thank you so much!
Paymahn