How To Become A Cyber Security Analyst In Australia?

Does technology, IT, security, and computer networks fascinate you? Then, a cyber security analyst career might be perfect for you.

Cyber security analysts are a security force to detect, prevent, and stop various cyberattacks. They design, supervise and upgrade security measures to ensure a company's robust, secure, and resilient IT infrastructure.

To become a professional cyber security analyst, you must complete a bachelor's degree in IT, computer science, or other related fields. Additionally, you must gain relevant industry experience to secure an entry-level role.

This blog will inform you on how to get into cyber security in Australia, the career prospects, earning potential, various jobs, career paths, and the steps to pursue the profession in Australia.

1. What Is Cyber Security?

The increasing reliance of businesses on technology has made it essential to have rigorous security protocols in place. Cybersecurity is a discipline that addresses the security concerns of an organisation.

It helps safeguard confidential information, security systems, computer networks, software, and hardware from various cyber threats.

Cyber security involves creating and enforcing security policies, penetration testing, and configuring wired and wireless networks to counter cyber-attacks.

2. Who Is A Cyber Security Analyst?

Cybersecurity analysts are an essential asset to any organisation. They are trained information technology professionals playing a vital role in preventing cyberattacks. Their task is to help protect individuals and enterprises.

They thoroughly understand cyber-criminal behaviour and malware to plan and maintain security within the organisation. They block attackers to prevent the theft of confidential personal records and financial data to ensure smooth operation.

Security analysts work throughout the spectrum of IT and computer networks. They are employed to maintain the security of corporate databases, banking networks, office networks, military intelligence, and other places that store information via computer networks.

3. What Does A Cyber Security Analyst Do?

• Safeguard the organisation from cyber-attacks 

• Respond fast to restore protection if security is compromised. 

• Conduct external and internal security audits and assessments.

• Identify root causes for security breaches.

• Constantly monitor and update the disaster recovery and incident response procedure.

• Maintain network updates and firewalls.

• Design security training programs for employees and users 

• Ensure all software are secure and patched, and security systems are up-to-date.

• Assess the computer infrastructure, information networks, third-party suppliers and vendors, and digital assets of a company 

• Protect information and its systems against probable cyber security threats.

• Perform a comprehensive examination of the security access and vulnerabilities in an organisation

• Advise clients on developing customised solutions to mitigate risks

• Develop and maintain firewalls to safeguard confidential data.

• Build plans and technologies to safeguard computer files and data against accidental modification or destruction via malware or other attacks.

• Develop strategies to deal with data violations and breaches.

• Stay updated on possible data attacks and build solutions to combat them.

• Supervise the functioning of computer software and the user status to ensure the safety of data and networks in the organisation.

• Plan and conduct regular risk assessments to identify and manage probable risks.

• Discuss security threats with staff and train them to improve information security.

4. Technical Skills For Cyber Security Professionals

Cyber security professionals need to constantly learn and refine their skills to safeguard the organisation effectively as technology is continuously advancing. 

They need the right combination of technical skills and soft skills to make a successful career as a cyber security analyst:

• Knowledge and experience in programming languages, such as C, PHP, C++, Perl, and Java. 

• A strong understanding of network configuration and security, web development, and firewall installation

• Experience in implementing and administering cloud computing systems and processes. 

• Able to manage a proprietary network, train other employees, or conduct penetration testing on the organisation's digital properties. 

• Likes staying updated on the latest industrial development in systems and processes.

Soft Skills For Cyber Security Professionals

• Critical thinking

• Logical Reasoning abilities

• Effective presentation skills

• Able to spot and resolve problems

• Decision-making

• Risk management

• Effective Communication skills

• Analytical mindset

• Strong work ethics, integrity, and accountability in dealing with confidential information.

• Ability to focus for extended periods 

• Able to forecast based on existing data and trends and build security recommendations.

• Constant learner to stay ahead of cybercriminals

• Out-of-the-box thinking

• Able to work well in a team or individually

• Discretion when dealing with sensitive information

• Able to organise enormous information

• Able to explain business issues and technical concepts to individuals

5. Qualifications For A Cyber Security Analyst In Australia

1. Gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in one or more of the pre-requisite subjects such as English, chemistry, physics and mathematics 

2. Complete a Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or other related fields.

3. Complete a relevant industry certification, such as Certified Ethical Hacker, CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, etc.

4. Earn a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Business Administration in information systems. 

5. Gain IT industry experience working as a System, Network, or Database Administrator.

6. Steps To Become A Cyber Security Analyst In Australia

Are you passionate about pursuing a career in the area but need help figuring out where to start? Here is the typical cyber security career path in Australia to get started in this profession:

Step 1: Research

The initial step to learning how to get into cyber security in Australia is understanding the kind of cyber security work you wish to do. 

Identify the education, certification, and specialised training required to get an entry-level position in your chosen area.

Step 2: Obtain A Degree

The minimum requirement to be a cyber security analyst is to have a bachelor's degree in programming, computer science, or a related field. 

Taking a cyber security analyst course in the following areas will also help:

• Information and computer security

• Database management

• Cyberattacks and Defense

• Cyber Security

• Cyber security policies and ethics

• Software development

• Computer programming

Step 3: Get Cyber Security Analyst Certification

Industry-specific certifications help you show off your cybersecurity skills.

You may consider the following popular cyber security analyst certification courses:

• CompTIA Security+

• Certified Ethical Hacker

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional

• Certified Cyber Security Professional

Software development platforms like GitHub provides opportunities to contribute to open-source projects. It is an excellent way to test and improvise your skills and connect with global professionals.

Step 4: Find An Internship

An internship is a common way to gain industry experience and boost your resume before applying for an analyst job role. 

It allows you to develop job-specific skills and put theoretical knowledge to practical use. You learn the corporate demands and standards in a typical cybersecurity setting.

An internship is an excellent way to collaborate with other aspiring experts and improve communication skills. You may get full-time employment after completing your training.

Step 5: Create And Update Your Resume

You need a competitive and impressive resume to increase your chances of getting shortlisted for the job.

Along with formal education and certifications, you must highlight the transferable interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills you gained during your traineeship or past work experiences.

Create a strong summary statement and customise your resume to the specific job to ensure a successful application process.

Step 6: Keep Learning

YouTube videos, attending conferences, blogging, community groups, and social media are a few ways to network with other like-minded professionals. 

These platforms help you stay updated on the latest cybersecurity developments and events nearby your place.

Moreover, you can share your knowledge with others and further advance your profession.

7. Working Environment For A Cyber Security Analyst

Cyber security analysts generally work in office-based environments for 8 hours daily from Monday to Friday. The job demands sitting in front of a computer for several hours. Freelance cyber security professionals have the flexibility to work from their home office.

The Job Outlook website data shows that 92% of professionals work for 42 hours per week full-time. However, based on the type of work, they may even have to work overtime, including late evening or weekend hours.

Cyber security consultants primarily work in teams, gathering project requirements, attending meetings, and identifying and fixing security issues and technical risks to the business.

Cybersecurity professionals often require travel to different locations across the country to attend meetings or visit the court to present the evidence.

The average age of employed professionals in this sector is 39 years. Only 14% of workers are female, which is very low compared to the industry's average of 48%.

8. Where Does A Cyber Security Professional Work?

Cybersecurity is one of the rapidly evolving fields in the present era. You can find plenty of job positions available. With the technological expansion and changing threat landscape, more jobs are becoming available.

Cyber Security Specialists can be employed full-time or on a contract basis in varied settings such as:

• Educational institutions

• Retail store chains

• Government organisations

• Finance institutions

• Banks

• Recruiting firms

• Real estate firms

A qualified cyber security professional can take on the following cyber security analyst job roles:

• Cybersecurity Analyst

• Cybersecurity Consultant

• Information security officer

• Security administrator

• Systems Analyst

• Network Architect

• Network Engineer 

• Systems Engineer

• Security Manager or Administrator

• Cybersecurity Engineer

• Vulnerability Analyst

• Ethical Hacker or Penetration Tester 

• Systems Administrator

• Computer Forensics Analyst

• Chief Information Security Officer

Experienced cyber security professionals can advance their learning to become Information Security Analysts. They plan, upgrade, and supervise security measures to eliminate viruses and safeguard an organisation's digital infrastructure and computer networks.

Other Areas of Specialisation Include:

• Computer Forensic Technician

• Data Encryption Manager

• Firewall Manager

• Database Administrators

• Systems' Tester

• ICT Managers

• Network Trouble-shooter

• Project Manager

• ICT Salesman

• Software and Applications Programmers

9. Job Prospects Of A Cyber Security Professional In Australia

Cyber security is a vast and relatively young discipline with ample development scope. The increasing dependency of industries on the digital space has resulted in a rise in security breaches and cyber-attacks.

Due to this, more and more Australian organisations and companies have started investing in cybersecurity. This, in turn, will lead to a continuous surge in demand for trained and qualified cybersecurity analysts.

The national Job Outlook website predicts strong growth of ICT Security Specialists over five years, and the sector expects rapid growth in job opportunities in the coming years. 

The top recruiting sectors will be Finance and Insurance, Defence, Retail, Ecommerce, Oil and Gas, Education, Public Administration, and Safety.

10. How Much Do Cyber Security Analysts Earn In Australia?

Exciting work, many career opportunities, and various career pathways make cyber security analysis a high-paying profession in Australia.

The average cyber analyst salary in Australia is AU$77,072 per year. Based on the Job Outlook, the average annual information security analyst salary is $106,946 or an equivalent of $1932 per week. The earnings gradually increase with the increase in experience and expertise.

Average Cyber Security Analyst Salary Based on Experience

• Junior cyber security analyst salary in Australia (<1-year experience) earns AU$63,923 

• Early career Cyber Security Analyst (1 to 4 years of experience) makes AU$77,831

• Mid-career Cyber Security Analyst (5 to 9 years of experience) earns AU$94,338

• Experienced Cyber Security Analyst (10-19 years of experience) makes AU$107,351 

11. Conclusion

Cyber security is an incredible field constantly evolving in Australia and worldwide. Working as a cyber security analyst allows you to play a critical role in protecting and managing systems and networks.

If you are a technology enthusiast wanting to improve an organisation's security, you should follow the steps above to get started.

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