How To Write a Cybersecurity Analyst Resume
To create a strong cybersecurity analyst resume, you need to know your strengths and weaknesses in relation to the position you’re seeking. Write your resume to align your qualifications with the needs and preferences of potential employers.
Take the same approach as with a potential security issue. Start by gathering data — about the job and your experience and qualifications. Then, use the right format and a good template to present that data in a way that points to you as the solution to the employer’s needs. This guide provides valuable tips and insights to help translate your cybersecurity career into an accomplishment-driven resume.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Write a brief summary of your cybersecurity analyst qualifications
Hiring managers are busy, so you only have a few seconds to catch their attention. Lead with a compelling summary that encapsulates the strongest aspects of your experience as a cybersecurity analyst. Start with an opening sentence that lists your title, years of experience, and three to four skills that align with the job description. Tailor your profile to each position you apply for.
For example, if you’re applying for a cybersecurity analyst role in a hospital, mention your knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and electronic health records (EHR). This showcases your experience as a technology professional in the medical field. If a company is focused on cloud security, draw attention to your expertise in this area.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A Senior Cyber Security Analyst with 10+ years of professional experience specializing in AI-powered cyber security, threat detection, and machine learning. A proven track record of developing advanced security protocols to mitigate ransomware and digital supply chain risks.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A Cyber Security Analyst with five years of professional experience specializing in information security, disaster recovery, incident response, and vulnerability assessment. A strong history of enhancing security protocols and mitigating the risk of cyber threats for large organizations.
2. Add your cybersecurity analyst experience with compelling examples
Your professional experience section is the foundation of your resume and should feature your most impactful career achievements. Although it’s not always easy to quantify your accomplishments, leveraging data and metrics can significantly enhance the strength of your resume. A proven record of success attracts hiring managers and further legitimizes your expertise and qualifications.
For example, you might write that you “Implemented new cybersecurity protocols and threat mitigation techniques, reducing breach risk by 25%.” Create engaging text in this section by following a formula that starts with an action verb, one achievement, and one metric.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Cyber Security Analyst, Titan Materials Corp., Miami, FL
October 2016 – Present
- Spearhead the integration of AI-powered cyber security solutions to prevent threats, intrusions, and breaches for sensitive data related to a multi-million-dollar supply chain
- Oversee the cyber security department with over 20+ personnel and coordinated cross-functionally with the IT Director and CTO to refine security protocols
- Conduct comprehensive security assessments and audits on ransomware risks and identify opportunities to enhance data security through cloud database migrations
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Cyber Security Analyst, Advance Loan Partners, San Diego, CA
October 2018 – Present
- Collaborate with the cyber security team, IT manager, and CTO to develop IT security protocols to protect client information for a firm managing over $15M in assets
- Manage response, triage, and escalation of cybersecurity incidents related to user access, security breaches, and user privacy and create documentation to prevent future issues
- Support the development of a scalable IT security management program to enhance the quality of IT audits and information security, resulting in a 30% reduction in vendor costs
3. Add cybersecurity analyst education and certifications
Organizations hiring cybersecurity analysts are looking for professionals who are experts in their fields. After all, you’ll stand in the gap to protect critical business and customer data and networks from external threats. Including your credentials clearly on your resume helps demonstrate your expertise and increases a hiring manager’s comfort level in offering you a job.
List your most relevant education and certifications first, and use an easy scannable list format for certifications. If you have non-technical certifications or degrees — such as those in business or leadership — you might include those on your resume too.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science
- University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2012 – May 2016
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), 2021
4. List cybersecurity analyst-related skills and proficiencies
Before a hiring manager can decide to call you in for an interview, they must see your resume. Your document must often pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS), computer programs designed to look for the most relevant resumes.
These programs do their job by looking for specific skills and keywords. Including relevant cybersecurity analyst skills — especially those mentioned by the employer in their job posting — can help you make it through ATS. For example, don’t just say you secured systems in a past position. Be specific by saying you engaged in cloud security and protected platforms via anti-virus solutions and firewall configuration.
Some common key skills for cybersecurity analyst resumes include:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Anti-virus and anti-malware solutions | Artificial intelligence (AI) cybersecurity |
| Cloud security | Cybersecurity |
| Data analytics | Data loss prevention (DLP) |
| Disaster recovery | Endpoint protection |
| Firewalls | Identity and access management |
| Incident response | Information security |
| Information technology (IT) security | ISO 27001 |
| Network security | Payment card industry (PCI) compliance |
| Risk management | Security audits |
| Security controls | Security information and event management (SIEM) |
| TCP IP | Top Secret Clearance |
| User authentication | Vulnerability assessment |
5. Showcase your knowledge of cybersecurity concepts and trends
Technology constantly evolves and changes each year, making it challenging to remain current on every new industry development. Hiring managers expect you to stay current with cutting-edge technologies and cybersecurity trends. In the example below, the candidate creates a compelling summary that showcases their understanding of emerging concepts and trends within the cybersecurity field. AI-powered cybersecurity and machine learning are increasingly relevant within this industry and may help to differentiate the job seeker from other candidates during the hiring phase:
A cybersecurity analyst with over 10 years of professional experience specializing in AI-powered cybersecurity, threat detection, and machine learning. A proven track record of developing advanced security protocols to mitigate ransomware and digital supply chain risks.
How To Pick the Best Cybersecurity Analyst Resume Template
Choose a template that’s easy to work with and reduces frustrations when it comes to formatting. At the same time, ensure the overall design is visually pleasing and professional and that it supports bullet points and sub-sectioned information for optimal scannability.
For example, you might choose a template that breaks your resume into three main parts: experience, skills, and education. Simple lines or font changes between those sections can help differentiate them for hiring managers, making it easier for an employer who wants someone with a Cybersecurity Analyst Certificate or CISSP to find those critical elements on your document.
Cybersecurity Analyst Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Melissa Anderson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 W Adams Ave, Detroit, MI 12345
Profile
A Cyber Security Analyst with eight years of professional experience specializing in information security, disaster recovery, incident response, and vulnerability assessment. A strong history of enhancing security protocols and mitigating the risk of cyber threats for large organizations.
Professional Experience
Senior Cyber Security Analyst, Avion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Detroit, MI
October 2016 – Present
- Manage a 15-person cyber security team to monitor attacks, unauthorized access, and suspicious activity impacting sensitive information, patents, and products for a multi-million-dollar pharmaceutical corporation
- Conduct root cause analysis for unauthorized access attempts, create security logs, and develop new information security management policies to reduce the risk of intrusion
- Liaise with data privacy, legal, IT management, and compliance departments to assess findings of security audits and restructure policies to preserve data integrity
Cyber Security Analyst, DoorDash, Detroit, MI
May 2014 – October 2016
- Conducted cyber security audits and investigations into fraudulent activities impacting Dasher direct, including unauthorized user access and theft
- Coordinated with the IT Department to develop and implement new cyber security procedures to ensure the security of dasher funds and account access
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science
University of Michigan, Detroit, MI September 2010 – May 2014
Key Skills
- Information Security Management
- Threat Detection
- Risk Management
- Security Investigations
- User Authentication
Certifications
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), 2016
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), 2015
- CompTIA Security+, 2014
Frequently Asked Questions: Cybersecurity Analyst Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for cybersecurity analyst resumes?-
Starting bullet points with action verbs helps hiring managers visualize your accomplishments and how they might be relevant to the position you’re applying for. They also make your resume easier to read and scan — something busy hiring managers often appreciate.
Whenever possible, begin statements about what you’ve done in past positions with strong, relevant action verbs. For example, “analyzed security risks” or “detected security risks” are both more powerful phrases than the more passive “responsible for security risk analysis.”
You can start with some of the verbs below:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Assessed |
| Built | Collaborated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Designed |
| Developed | Diagnosed |
| Drove | Enhanced |
| Evaluated | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Led | Managed |
| Mitigated | Oversaw |
| Resolved | Supported |
| Tested | Validated |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for cybersecurity analysts was $112,000 in 2022, with a projected growth rate of 32% over the next decade. Due to the lucrative nature of these positions and the potential for upward mobility, you’ll face no shortage of competition as you apply for roles in the open market. Tailor your document towards individual job descriptions to differentiate yourself from other applicants.
For example, suppose a company is looking for a candidate specializing in new concepts such as AI-powered cybersecurity. In that case, you’ll highlight your knowledge of machine learning and AI using tangible examples from your career. If an organization is seeking a candidate specializing in cloud security, show specific projects demonstrating your ability to mitigate information security risks for cloud databases. By aligning your resume with the job description, you’ll greatly increase your chances of securing your next interview.
What is the best cybersecurity analyst resume format?-
Reverse chronological format is ideal for cybersecurity analyst resumes. This ensures your most recent and relevant achievements are featured toward the top of your resume while showcasing your career progression. A combination format can be considered if you’re making a career transition or entering the field, as this allows you to highlight skills, certifications, and academic projects in lieu of a robust work history.
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Create more connections with prospective employers by including a cover letter with your application. This supplemental document provides room for showing off a bit of your personality while pointing hiring managers to your most impressive accomplishments or skills. If you’re unsure where to start, check out our computer science cover letter example for some ideas.
