What Is A Network Analyst? (With Skills And Primary Duties)

Updated 19 September 2023

Network analysts (NA) are information technology (IT) professionals who optimise an organisation's network operations. Some of their responsibilities include installing, configuring and troubleshooting networking peripheral devices and other networking hardware and software products. Learning about their skills and responsibilities can help you create an impressive resume that highlights your qualifications and experience. In this article, we explain what NAs are, explore the list of their responsibilities, review some skills they possess and share tips to help you include these on your resume effectively.

What Is A Network Analyst?

A network analyst works in the IT industry and has expertise in diagnosing and resolving hardware and software network problems. They are highly proficient in maintaining network equipment, like routers and switches. These professionals utilise their soft and hard skills to accomplish varied tasks. For instance, they employ their patience and technical knowledge to inspect network traffic and apply their computer networking expertise to decode data packets and display network traffic in a human-readable format.

These analysts devise network security solutions, implement intrusion detection and prevention systems, research networking products and protocols and understand an organisation's network security goals. A professional in this position may also use teamwork skills to work with vendors during problem analysis and collaborate with senior network professionals. Their many competencies include problem-solving, attention to detail, strategic planning, prioritisation and communication to enhance workflow efficiency.

Essential Network Analyst Skills

Below are some skills that an NA may find helpful to accomplish varied tasks:

Technical skills

NAs possess a strong understanding of transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) communications to determine issues with the interconnectivity of networked devices. With their technical skills, they efficiently filter network traffic, identify irregularities in the traffic, test firewall blocking and evaluate response times across networks. When these professionals show these skills on their resumes, it highlights their ability to optimise, secure and troubleshoot varied network analysis tasks.

Analytical skills

Network analysis requires analysing network, hardware and software information. An NA thinks critically to identify security threats to systems and efficiently respond to these threats. They use their analytical thinking to identify cause and effect and patterns in network behaviours accurately. Observation and interpretation are two important components of analytical skills that these professionals employ to cultivate an in-depth understanding of various network problems.

Problem-solving skills

NAs are efficient problem-solvers who can often devise unique solutions to complex problems. These professionals identify security threats and are required to make decisions that quickly respond to the threats without compromising a company's data. With the help of these skills, they are better able to visualise problems and measure the results of solutions. Professionals with these skills also possess a creative approach to solutions.

Research skills

NAs may also formulate disaster recovery and emergency procedures for the network infrastructures of an organisation. To prepare for these procedures, they conduct in-depth research to understand problem areas and how these issues may affect business growth. With their research skills, they efficiently collect information, analyse data and communicate with senior network professionals to conduct quality research.

Communication skills

The communication skills of an NA focus on simplifying technical concepts for non-technical users and writing coherent technical reports. They use these skills to give clear verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person or over a telephone call. By employing these skills, they prepare accurate and reader-friendly reports, along with explaining network issues and troubleshooting procedures to other IT professionals easily.

Decision-making skills

With their decision-making skills, NAs quickly evaluate options and devise favourable solutions. Sometimes, network security and its configuration and performance management can prove challenging. There are situations where these professionals may apply their decision-making skills to solve problems expeditiously and make judgements that benefit the organisation.

Attention to detail

One of the primary duties of an NA is to monitor computer networks and identify security threats. With their detail-oriented approach, they are better able to detect security threats, measure their adverse effects, determine their locations and devise effective solutions. These skills help them conduct exhaustive inspections without overlooking important information. By employing these skills, NAs deliver accuracy when accomplishing tasks.

Key Responsibilities Of A Network Analyst

Below are some key responsibilities of an NA:

Analysing communication systems

An NA understands how complex communication computer systems work. These professionals are required to evaluate the performance of data networks and other connected devices. They plan, develop and analyse data communication systems to support the IT operations of an organisation. Identifying security threats is also one of the common responsibilities of NAs.

Installing and troubleshooting wireless systems

NAs install wireless systems for an organisation to offer it robust connectivity. Apart from installation, these professionals also analyse errors in the systems and rectify them to offer seamless connectivity to employees of the organisation. They may also implement a wi-fi local area network (LAN) computer interface, set up a virtual private network (VPN), establish routing protocols and develop secure network designs depending on the organisational requirements.

Configuring hardware and software tools

An NA installs and configures different hardware and software tools to optimise an organisation's network communication. They are proficient in setting up modems, routers and hubs, along with adjusting software tools to work efficiently with these devices. These professionals know how to set up a LAN and a wide area network (WAN), along with voice over IP (VoIP) devices. They also guide computer technicians to help them purchase the right hardware and software components for improved efficiency and security.

Working with network and database systems

An organisation may require NAs to monitor and analyse large datasets to find security threats in the communication systems of an organisation. They are adept at using databases to document varied issues and utilise these databases to conduct research. These professionals have excellent knowledge of subnetting and encryption techniques. An NA also possesses the ability to structure data, along with storing and distributing it to eliminate data leakage.

Collaborating with others

NAs may often collaborate with the IT support staff and other senior network engineers to support an organisation's technical management and information and network analysis. These professionals also work with internal departments to better understand the network and communication requirements. Professionals in this position also work with end-users, technicians and communication managers to develop robust communication computer systems.

Mentoring in areas of expertise

NAs may often mentor junior NAs and interns. They share their expertise with them to help them understand the nuances of network analysis and its importance in an organisation. With their industry knowledge and professional experience, they guide junior members in analysing existing systems and optimising them for organisational requirements to help them grow as professionals.

Ways To Include These Skills On Your Resume

There are multiple sections you may utilise to mention your relevant skills and job duties. Use a professional summary to describe your credentials concisely, a work experience section to explain key responsibilities and a skills section to list your abilities and strengths. Here are some ways to write skills and responsibilities on your resume:

Write a professional summary

A professional summary usually includes two to three lines describing your skills, professional qualification and career goals. Use this section to summarise your professional achievements and highlight your skills. For instance, you may include that you have been working in the IT industry for over five years and possess excellent network analysis skills in your professional summary to highlight your suitability for a specific job.

Create a work experience section

In your work experience section, focus on describing your responsibilities that are associated with your past jobs. Create a bulleted list of these responsibilities, as this helps recruiters to recognise your expertise easily and understand why you may be a suitable candidate for the position. You can also include measurable quantum to show your efficiency in performing certain responsibilities relevant to the role for which you are applying to help the recruiting manager understand how you may benefit the company after getting hired.

Customise your resume responsibilities

Recruiters use job descriptions to list the requirements for the position. These descriptions have multiple keywords that you may use to customise the responsibilities on your resume, so select the keywords from the description that match your profile and proficiencies. For instance, if a company requires you to be efficient in problem-solving, critical thinking and supervision, then mentioning these skills while writing key accountabilities may prove beneficial.

Create a skills section

While the work experience section focuses on utilising skills to describe responsibilities, a skills section helps you to list all your relevant skills. Consider including in-demand skills. Visit professional networking websites and job portals to identify the popular skills recruiters look for in candidates while hiring NAs. If you possess those skills, you may add them to the skills section, along with the ones that you already possess.

What Is A Network Analyst? (With Skills And Primary Duties)