Information Security Analyst Resume Skills (With Tips)

Updated 30 September 2022

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Information security (InfoSec) analysts protect sensitive data of a business against damage, theft or compromise by devising methods that safeguard the data. These highly skilled professionals work for financial organisations, IT companies and consulting firms. If you are planning a career as an information security analyst, you can benefit from reviewing some important skills for this profession. In this article, we define information security analyst resume skills, provide some examples of those skills, discuss how to improve your skills and how to highlight them during your job search and share a resume sample.

What Are Information Security Analyst Resume Skills?

Information security analyst resume skills are abilities that professionals use to keep information safe from security breaches and other malicious activities. This includes strong technical and computer skills, knowledge of data privacy laws and risk assessment, along with soft skills such as communication and teamwork. These professionals protect a firm's computer systems and data from cyber-attacks. As part of their job, they also install protective software, monitor systems for potential breaches and respond to security attacks.

Examples Of InfoSec Resume Skills

Here are some examples skills that information security analysts use on the job and highlight on their resumes:

Computer skills

InfoSec analysts require strong computer skills, which include knowledge of the latest information technology and cyber security trends. An in-depth understanding of networking and system administration can familiarise you with the technical aspects of data transmission and the know-how of configuring and maintaining computers. As a security professional, you can also focus on developing cloud security skills, along with knowledge of risk analysis, security incident handling and response, data protection laws and regulations and security auditing.

Detail-oriented

InfoSec analysts require attention to detail because of the complexity of their jobs. By analysing the smallest details of a security system, you can find vulnerabilities and work towards fixing them. This requires having knowledge of disaster recovery and encryption methods and being familiar with the basic setups to develop a security platform. Professionals in InfoSec and cyber security also require a sound knowledge of regulations, standards and frameworks to spot compliance issues early on to avoid lawsuits that can otherwise harm the reputation of the organisation.

Problem-solving skills

InfoSec analysts often solve complex problems and respond to threats swiftly without compromising an organisation's sensitive data. This requires making decisions swiftly when they see a security threat to determine the best course of action. Using their problem-solving skills, these professionals can also resolve computer systems issues in their organisation and implement measures to prevent them in the future.

Analytical skills

Security professionals require the ability to detect unusual spikes in website traffic, odd patterns and other signs of a breach. Analytical expertise is helpful in breaking down a complex software system into smaller components and generating test cases which correspond to these components. Having good analytical skills also helps find alternative solutions to potential risks.

Teamwork

Security analysts often liaise with other team members, collaborate with peers or other stakeholders and seek expertise from others to solve problems. Organisations typically employ a team of security analysts to administer their information systems. Building strong teamwork skills and work relations is essential to sharing your findings with larger security teams.

Communication skills

This position requires the use of software for monitoring and analysing information, along with investigative work, to determine whether a security breach has taken place. During a security incident, effective communication is vital. Most times, these professionals work with a larger group where they manage incidents that have escalated and require proper documentation in case of legal work. Analysts are responsible for educating employees and clients about the importance of security best practices in a clear, concise manner that may result from employee negligence.

How To Improve Information Security Analyst Skills

Here are some ways you can be proficient in InfoSec skills:

1. Obtain certifications and training

Keep current with cyber safety issues and the latest developments in cyber security. By learning about the various methods used by malicious individuals to penetrate computer networks and systems, such as malware implementation and denial-of-service attacks (DoS), you can understand how to manage them. A certification programme can help you stay updated on the developments in cyber security. Certifications in ethical hacking, auditing and risk and information systems help in learning security skills, including understanding specific attacks and handling incidents.

2. Develop cybersecurity skills

An understanding of cyber security can be useful when balancing the security and accessibility requirements of databases, identifying the security needs for business networks, analysing software for security vulnerabilities and helping businesses to realise their cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This includes working operating systems, computer systems, wireless networks and cloud networks. You can develop these skills through online courses, blog posts, researching new security tools, setting up networks and testing security vulnerabilities.

3. Work in a related field

Acquire experience in a field related to your career. InfoSec analysts typically have experiences working in an IT department, such as working as system administrators, network administrators or database administrators. You may begin as a computer systems analyst to understand how enterprise computer systems work and how to make them more efficient.

Ways To Highlight InfoSec Skills

There is a high demand for these InfoSec analysts because of increasing cyber security and other malicious attacks on organisations. Here are some ways you can highlight key skills on your resume, cover letter and during interviews to improve your chances of getting hired:

On the resume and cover letter

Employers want experts who can detect and prevent security threats, so they hire professionals who can run tests and discover network vulnerabilities. Ensure that you pay attention to hidden key points on the job application. Highlight your unique abilities in designing and implementing security measures on your resume and cover letter. For instance, you can include implementing data encryption and firewalls and installing new operating systems.

In the interview

As part of the job interview, hiring managers often ask a mix of technical and non-technical questions that focus on discerning factors like your knowledge of security protocols and how well you can explain them. They may also ask questions about your previous work experience, along with the challenges you faced in overcoming them. It is therefore important to highlight skills such as network security, information systems, penetration testing, attention to detail and communication.

Information Security Analyst Resume Sample

Here is a sample of a resume for a professional working in information security:

Sumeet Singh
+91-9728037509 | sumeetsingh@email.com | Pune, Maharashtra | sumeetsingh@jobprofile.com

Professional Summary

Skilled information security analyst with 5 years of experience in risk management framework (RMF), security lifecycle and project management. Proven track record with a robust security overhaul, eliminating over 15 security threats and reducing incidence by 98.9%.

Work Experience

Information Security Analyst, October 2020—January 2022 EdgeScreen Group

Served over 50 customers using a variety of security products
Provided client security policies and activities, including mitigation, incident reporting and continuous monitoring of systems, networks and applications
Identified potential anomalies in security logs and ensured compliance with policies and procedures
Implemented a company-wide informational campaign to educate over 2 lakh end-users on security threats and how to prevent them
Designed and implemented training curriculums for new InfoSec employees

Penetration Tester, June 2018—August 2020
DM Industries

Developed a vendor management programme for assessing and validating security controls of third-party providers
Provided end-to-end security assessments for over 80 applications
Designed and performed penetration testing for over 50 applications for finance and software companies

Systems Administrator Intern, September 2017—May 2018
GAB Group

Supported systems administration, monitored backups and disaster recovery and set up user accounts
Performed regular system backups and disaster recovery procedures
Worked with senior systems administrators to maintain and troubleshoot the platform
Coordinated technical meetings between internal and external groups

Education

Bachelor of Technology in computer science and engineering
Pune State University, 2016

Skills

Security testing and evaluation, penetration testing, security auditing, rapid incidence response, strong problem-solving, analytical skills, teamwork