Cybersecurity Analysts in 2022: Requirements and Trends
Personal Blog 03-05-2022

The digital world grew by storm after computers became household items and many people entered the IT world. Sadly, not every development made by people in the tech industry is positive, such as the computer virus.

As there has been growth in IT, new threats have emerged over the years. Fortunately, this has been followed by people who are tasked with fighting these threats, AKA cybersecurity analysts. This is evident from the increase in people taking online IT training programs to boost their skills.

What is a Cybersecurity Analyst?

A cyber security analyst is a person responsible for protecting an organization from cyber threats. The work of a cybersecurity analyst in building IT defense systems and safeguarding information from cybercriminals.

Over the eight years, from 2013 to 2021, cybersecurity analyst jobs grew by 350%. The skill gap filled up quickly. This increase is predicted to increase the same way in the coming years. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, there will be 3.5 million more openings by 2025 in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity Analyst Responsibilities

A cybersecurity analyst primarily protects the company’s software, hardware, and network from external threats. They study the IT infrastructure in detail and monitor it extensively.

They are responsible for:

Configuring Defensive Tools

A threat may come in the form of a virus or someone trying to hack into a system to obtain sensitive files. An analyst will configure tools such as password protectors and vulnerability management software.

Evaluating Weaknesses and Reporting Them

No network is 100% secure, but an analyst’s goal is to make it as secure as it can be. They frequently test the organization’s system to identify any gaps and report on them. They will find solutions for it to make it secure so that external threats can’t compromise them.

How To Become a Cybersecurity Analyst

The US Bureau of labor statistics has predicted a 33% (faster than average) increase in the job outlook. This is a perfect time to start working towards your goal of becoming a cybersecurity analyst.

The potential and growth of the industry are attractive for anyone entering the IT field, but how to become cybersecurity in the first place? Firstly, employers look for people who have strong skills and a background in designing and operating computer systems and networking.

According to BLS, around 85% of employers prefer their candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field. However, having a degree isn’t the only requirement.

Many information security certifications can boost credibility. You can now easily do IT certifications training online that will give you a leg up among cybersecurity analyst candidates.

Technical Skills Required

To be a desirable candidate for the cybersecurity analyst position, it’s recommended that you have knowledge and skills in the following:

  • Python
  • Linus
  • Network Security
  • Information Systems
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Cryptography
  • Penetration Testing
  • Project Management

Cybersecurity Trends: Predictions for 2022

As the industry keeps on growing, the trends are also shifting. Over the past two years, there has been a tremendous shift in how businesses and consumers utilize technology. In 2022, cybersecurity is also set to evolve.

Trend #1 – Changes in Privacy Laws

As the growth rate of IT is significant and new possible threats are emerging, there will be major changes in privacy laws. GDPR was the first legislation introduced for consumer privacy.

GDPR was quickly followed by more such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Brazil’s General Personal Data Protection Law (LGPD). By 2023, modern privacy laws will cover the personal information of 75% of the global population.

Trend #2 – Top Boardroom Concern: Supply Chain Attacks

COVID made the world realize the true importance of a functioning supply chain. Cybercrimes realized it as well and capitalized on this heavy reliance. Supply chains have many blind spots or cracks. It’s predicted that this will be the top boardroom concern, and many decisions will revolve around it.

Trend #3 – Misuse of Blockchain for Cybercrime Hideouts

Blockchain technology is now a significant part of development. Enterprises and even consumers are relying on it heavily. It’s predicted that cybercrime would shift towards exploiting blockchain. It’ll be used as a common tool to obscure malicious traffic and avoid detection.

Trend #4 – Security Redefined: Zero Tolerance for Trust

It’s predicted that by 2025, 60% of organizations will use cybersecurity to assess risk in conducting transactions and business engagements. Venture capitalists will start to use cybersecurity for risk assessment.

They will also establish zero tolerance for trust in their security strategies. There will be more auditing of user and application access to data.

Trend #5 – Increased Usage of Hybrid Cloud

As attackers focus on cloud environments, businesses will use multiple cloud platforms and spread their data to protect it. They’ll opt for a hybrid cloud approach and place more security controls to protect critical data.

Learn More on How to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst

Gone are the days when people had to sit through endless classes to get the credit hours for a piece of paper to tell you what they are or aren’t. The industry has shifted to looking for talent and not just degrees.

At Bayise Tutor, we have online IT training programs that teach various courses on cybersecurity, full-stack development, data science, and more at affordable rates! We aim to cultivate talent and help people become the leading figures in their industry.

Through our basic IT courses for beginners, you can learn from scratch to get started on your cybersecurity analyst journey and achieve your goals in no time. Get in touch with us for more details about the best online IT certification courses.