Competencies of Information Security and Incident & Intrusion Analysts

Competency Assessment
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Competency Assessment
Recent reports suggest a growing demand for cybersecurity professionals among a cohort of roles. (World Economic Forum, 2020). Various factors detailed in this paper contribute to this growth. Understanding the future outlook of the different specializations in cybersecurity is essential for students interested in this career path.
Information Security Analyst
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment rate of an information security analyst is likely to grow by 33% in the current decade (2020-2030). The employment change estimate for the same period is about 47,100. This data suggests that the growth rate for this role exceeds the average for other occupations. The annual average number of job openings for this occupation is about 16,300 over the ten years. These numbers are projected to result from replacements for personnel who transfer, exit the labor force, or retire. In 2020 alone, there were 141,200 Information Security Analysts in the US. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).
Information Security Analysts will be critical in the future because cyberattacks are on the rise. This increase follows accelerated technology adoption by companies, which has primarily influenced the automation of routine manual tasks. Moreover, the existing skills gap needs to be bridged to address the rising cases of cyberattacks effectively. Therefore, the future promises a surge in demand for information security analysts to protect organizational data from threats.
Various certifications are necessary to validate knowledge of best practices for Information Security Analysts. CompTIA Security+ is a foundational certification essential for one to pursue this career. It is vendor-neutral and confirms that a professional has a basic understanding of network security and risk management. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are also recurrent requirements for employers. The former includes the implementation of adequate security audits while the latter trains students in IT security, controls and management, and design and architecture. Other certifications include Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Cyber Security Expert (CSE) for individuals who want to identi...