Cybersecurity Analyst Career Guide 2025: Skills, Salary ($65K–$130K), Certifications

Cybersecurity analyst is one of the fastest-growing, recession-proof careers in 2025—with entry-level salaries starting at $65K, projected 32% job growth through 2032 (BLS), and high demand across every industry. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a cybersecurity analyst: required certifications (Security+, CEH, CISSP), salary expectations, SOC analyst career paths, and how to break in without a computer science degree.

What Does a Cybersecurity Analyst Do?

Cybersecurity analysts are the frontline defenders protecting organizations from cyber threats. They monitor networks for suspicious activity, investigate security incidents, implement protective measures, and ensure compliance with security standards. Think of them as digital detectives and security guards combined—identifying threats, stopping attacks, and continuously improving defenses.

Core responsibilities:

• Security monitoring: Watching SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) dashboards (Splunk, QRadar, Microsoft Sentinel) for anomalies—unusual login attempts, malware signatures, data exfiltration patterns
• Incident response: Investigating alerts, determining if they're real threats or false positives, containing breaches, coordinating with IT to remediate compromised systems
• Vulnerability management: Running security scans (Nessus, Qualys, OpenVAS), analyzing results, prioritizing patches, validating fixes
• Threat intelligence: Researching new attack techniques, tracking threat actors, updating defensive signatures and rules
• Security tool administration: Managing firewalls, IDS/IPS (intrusion detection/prevention systems), endpoint protection (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne), email security gateways
• Compliance and reporting: Ensuring adherence to frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, HIPAA), documenting security posture for audits, creating executive reports
• Security awareness: Training employees on phishing, social engineering, password hygiene

Example day-in-the-life: Start by reviewing overnight SIEM alerts (500+ alerts, 95% false positives from benign activity). Investigate 3 suspicious login attempts from foreign IPs—determine 2 are VPN users, 1 is potential credential stuffing attack. Block malicious IPs, reset affected user password. Run weekly vulnerability scan, find 12 critical vulnerabilities on web servers. Open tickets for IT to patch within 48 hours. Attend threat briefing on new ransomware variant. Update firewall rules to block command-and-control domains. Write incident report for last week's phishing campaign. End day preparing metrics dashboard for CISO.

Cybersecurity Analyst Salary by Experience Level (2025)

Cybersecurity analyst salaries are strong and growing due to massive talent shortage (3.4 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally). Compensation varies by experience, certifications, industry, and location.

Salary boosters: CISSP certification (+$15K-$25K), cloud security expertise (AWS/Azure/GCP certifications +$10K-$20K), programming skills (Python for automation +$10K-$15K), security clearance (DoD Secret/Top Secret +$15K-$30K), specialized skills (forensics, penetration testing, threat intelligence +$10K-$20K).

Location impact: San Francisco/Silicon Valley ($95K-$160K), New York/DC ($85K-$145K), Seattle/Boston ($80K-$135K), Austin/Denver ($75K-$120K), remote roles ($70K-$115K), smaller cities ($60K-$100K). Government roles (federal/state) often pay less cash ($60K-$90K) but offer pension, job security, clearance value.

Industry impact: Finance/banking (highest pay, compliance-heavy), tech companies (strong pay, modern tools), healthcare (HIPAA compliance, mid-range pay), consulting (travel required, project-based), managed security service providers / MSSPs (24/7 shifts, entry-level friendly), government/defense (clearance required, lower pay, strong benefits).

Skills Required to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts need both technical skills (tools, systems, protocols) and soft skills (communication, critical thinking). Here's the complete breakdown:

1. Networking Fundamentals — Essential

Why: Can't secure what you don't understand. 80% of security incidents involve network traffic analysis.
What you need: TCP/IP, OSI model, DNS, DHCP, VPN, firewalls, routers/switches, subnetting, ports/protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, SSH, FTP, SMB), wireless security (WPA2/WPA3).
How to learn: CompTIA Network+ (highly recommended before Security+), Professor Messer's free Network+ videos, hands-on labs (Packet Tracer, GNS3). Build home network lab (router, firewall, VLANs).
Mastery timeline: 2-3 months for Network+ level knowledge.

2. Operating Systems (Windows, Linux) — Essential

Why: Security analysts investigate incidents on Windows (enterprise standard) and Linux (servers, security tools).
Windows: Active Directory, Group Policy, Event Viewer, PowerShell basics, Windows Defender, registry.
Linux: Command line (bash), file permissions, SSH, log files (/var/log), package management (apt, yum), systemd/services. Kali Linux (penetration testing distro) valuable for learning offensive tools.
How to learn: Build VMs with VirtualBox/VMware (Windows Server, Ubuntu, Kali), practice CLI commands, follow TryHackMe/HackTheBox labs.
Mastery timeline: 2-3 months for job-ready basics in both.

3. Security Tools (SIEM, IDS/IPS, Scanners) — Essential

SIEM (Security Information and Event Management): Splunk (industry standard), IBM QRadar, Microsoft Sentinel, Elastic Stack (ELK). Aggregate logs from all systems, correlate events, detect anomalies. Learn SPL (Splunk Processing Language) or KQL (Kusto Query Language for Sentinel).
Vulnerability Scanners: Nessus (most popular), Qualys, OpenVAS. Identify security weaknesses (unpatched software, misconfigurations). Learn to interpret scan results, prioritize by CVSS score.
IDS/IPS: Snort (open-source), Suricata, Palo Alto Networks. Detect/block malicious traffic based on signatures and behavioral analysis.
Endpoint Security: CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Protect individual devices from malware, ransomware.
Packet Analysis: Wireshark (essential). Capture and analyze network traffic to understand attacks.
How to learn: Splunk offers free training + certification (Splunk Fundamentals), Wireshark tutorials on YouTube, run Nessus/OpenVAS scans on home lab VMs. Security Onion (free SIEM + IDS platform for practice).
Mastery timeline: 3-6 months to gain proficiency across key tools.

4. Incident Response & Threat Analysis

Why: Core job function—investigating and containing security incidents.
Skills: NIST Incident Response Framework (Preparation, Detection, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, Lessons Learned), log analysis (Windows Event Logs, Syslog), malware analysis basics (static/dynamic analysis, sandboxing), forensics fundamentals (preserving evidence, chain of custody), threat intelligence (MITRE ATT&CK framework, IOCs—indicators of compromise).
How to learn: SANS FOR508 course (expensive but gold standard), TryHackMe Incident Response path, Malware Traffic Analysis exercises, read real incident reports (Verizon DBIR, Mandiant APT reports).
Mastery timeline: 6-12 months to develop strong incident response skills; lifetime to master.

5. Security Frameworks & Compliance

Why: Organizations must comply with regulations; analysts ensure adherence.
Frameworks: NIST Cybersecurity Framework (risk management), ISO 27001 (international security standard), CIS Controls (20 critical security controls).
Compliance standards: PCI-DSS (payment card industry), HIPAA (healthcare), SOC 2 (SaaS/cloud services), GDPR (EU data privacy), FISMA (U.S. government).
How to learn: Read framework documentation (freely available), take compliance-focused courses (SANS, Cybrary), work in regulated industries.
Mastery timeline: 2-4 months for foundational understanding; deepens on the job.

6. Scripting & Automation (Increasingly Important)

Why: Automate repetitive tasks (log parsing, report generation, threat hunting queries). Python is the cybersecurity language.
What to learn: Python basics (loops, functions, file I/O, libraries like requests, pandas), PowerShell (Windows automation), Bash scripting (Linux automation). API interactions (pulling data from security tools).
How to learn: Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (free book), Cybersecurity-focused Python courses (TCM Security, Udemy), write scripts to parse logs, automate Nessus scans.
Mastery timeline: 3-6 months for job-useful scripting; not required for entry-level but big career accelerator.
Entry-level reality: Nice-to-have, not required. Mid-level+, increasingly expected.

7. Soft Skills (Critical but Underestimated)

Why: Analysts communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders (executives, legal, HR), collaborate across teams during incidents, write clear reports.
Key soft skills: Communication (explain technical risks in business terms), Critical thinking (distinguish real threats from noise), Attention to detail (spotting anomalies in thousands of log entries), Stress management (staying calm during active breaches), Continuous learning (threat landscape evolves weekly).
How to improve: Practice writing incident reports, present technical topics to non-technical friends, join cybersecurity communities (Discord, Reddit), read industry blogs (Krebs on Security, The Hacker News).

How to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst: 4 Paths

Multiple routes into cybersecurity depending on your background, timeline, and budget:

Path 1: Self-Study + Certifications (6-12 months, $1,000-$2,500)

Best for: Disciplined learners, those with IT background, tight budgets.
Roadmap:

1. Foundation (2-3 months): If no IT experience, start with CompTIA A+ (optional but helpful) and CompTIA Network+ ($358 exam). Free study: Professor Messer videos, practice exams.
2. Security+ (2-3 months): CompTIA Security+ ($392 exam)—entry-level requirement for most SOC jobs. Study: Professor Messer, Jason Dion Udemy course, practice tests. Covers threats, vulnerabilities, cryptography, network security, compliance.
3. Home Lab (ongoing): Build virtual lab (VirtualBox/VMware): Windows Server (Active Directory), Ubuntu server, Kali Linux, Security Onion SIEM. Practice: run Nessus scans, analyze packet captures, set up firewalls, simulate attacks.
4. Hands-On Practice (2-4 months): TryHackMe (beginner-friendly, gamified labs), HackTheBox (harder, real-world scenarios), SANS Cyber Aces tutorials (free), CTF competitions.
5. Portfolio Projects: Document labs on GitHub or blog: "Home SIEM Setup," "Analyzing Malware Traffic," "Vulnerability Assessment Report." Shows initiative to employers.
6. Job Search: Apply to SOC Analyst Tier 1, Junior Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Operations Center roles. Leverage LinkedIn, CyberSecJobs.com, Indeed.

Total cost: Network+ ($358) + Security+ ($392) + study materials ($200-$500) = $950-$1,250. Add CySA+ later ($392).
Timeline: 6-12 months from zero to first job if focused.
Pros: Cheapest path, flexible, certification-focused (what employers want).
Cons: Requires extreme discipline, no structured support, competitive job market for entry-level.

Path 2: Cybersecurity Bootcamp (6-12 months, $10K-$20K)

Best for: Career-switchers who want structure, accountability, job placement support.
Top bootcamps: Fullstack Academy Cybersecurity Bootcamp ($16,950, 12 weeks full-time or 26 weeks part-time, job guarantee), Flatiron School Cybersecurity Engineering ($16,900, 15 weeks), SecureSet Academy (Denver-based, $14,500), SANS Cyber Academy ($20K+, most rigorous, expensive but industry-recognized).
What's included: Structured curriculum (networking → security fundamentals → SIEM/incident response → threat hunting → capstone project), Security+ exam prep (often included), hands-on labs with real tools (Splunk, Wireshark, Nessus), career coaching (resume, interview prep, networking), job placement assistance or guarantees.
Pros: Faster than self-study, accountability, career support, cohort networking, bootcamp name on resume.
Cons: $10K-$20K cost (though ISAs—income share agreements—available), intense time commitment (20-40 hours/week), not all bootcamps equal (research outcomes carefully).

Path 3: College Degree (2-4 years, $20K-$100K+)

Best for: High school students, those wanting broad CS/IT foundation, government/defense careers requiring degrees.
Relevant majors: Cybersecurity, Information Security, Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Security.
Top programs: Carnegie Mellon (INI), University of Maryland (ACES), Purdue, Georgia Tech, SANS Technology Institute (expensive, industry-focused).
Pros: Deepest technical foundation, access to internships (NSA, FBI, major tech), alumni network, required for some government jobs (NSA, CIA), easier path to management.
Cons: Expensive ($20K-$100K+ total), slow (2-4 years), not necessary for entry-level analyst roles (certifications matter more).
Reality check: Degree + no certifications < No degree + Security+ and home lab for entry-level jobs. Degree becomes valuable for advancement to senior/architect/CISO roles.

Path 4: Transition from IT Role (Fastest for IT Professionals)

Best for: Help desk, network admin, sysadmin, DevOps engineers wanting to pivot to security.
Strategy: Take on security tasks in current role (patch management, access control reviews, security tool monitoring) → earn Security+ ($392) → volunteer for incident response → build security-focused projects (implement MFA, audit firewall rules) → rebrand resume around security → apply internally (easier!) or externally to junior SOC roles.
Timeline: 6-12 months while employed.
Pros: Leverages existing IT knowledge (networking, systems admin), lower risk (keep current job), IT experience highly valued by security teams.
Cons: May need to accept lateral or slight pay cut initially to break into security (though long-term earnings higher).

Essential Cybersecurity Certifications (Roadmap)

Certifications are critical in cybersecurity—they validate skills, meet DoD/government requirements (DoD 8570), and significantly boost salary. Here's the progression:

Entry-Level (Required for First Job)

1. CompTIA Security+ ($392 exam, $200-$300 study materials)
Why essential: Industry standard entry requirement. DoD 8570 baseline certification. Covers: threats, attacks, vulnerabilities, architecture, identity/access management, risk management, cryptography.
Difficulty: Moderate. Pass rate ~80% with proper study.
Study time: 2-3 months (2-3 hours/day).
Resources: Professor Messer free videos, Jason Dion Udemy course, practice exams.
Career impact: Opens door to 90% of SOC Tier 1 jobs. Salary boost: $5K-$10K over non-certified.

Mid-Level (After 1-2 Years Experience)

2A. CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst+) ($392 exam)
Focus: Threat detection, log analysis, incident response, vulnerability management. More hands-on than Security+.
Best for: SOC analysts wanting to deepen detection/analysis skills.
Salary boost: $8K-$12K.
Study time: 2-3 months with Security+ foundation.

2B. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) ($1,199 exam, $850 training)
Focus: Offensive security—penetration testing, exploit techniques, Kali Linux tools (Metasploit, Nmap, Burp Suite).
Best for: Analysts interested in penetration testing, red team, vulnerability assessments.
Controversy: Some criticize as "mile-wide, inch-deep." More valuable if paired with hands-on pen testing experience.
Salary boost: $10K-$15K (especially if transitioning to pen testing).
Alternative: OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)—harder, cheaper ($1,649), more respected by technical community.

Advanced (After 5+ Years, Management Track)

3. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) ($749 exam)
Why prestigious: Gold standard for senior roles. Requires 5 years security experience (or 4 years + bachelor's degree). Covers 8 domains: security management, asset security, architecture, network security, identity/access, security assessment, operations, software security.
Difficulty: Very hard. 250 questions, 6 hours. Pass rate ~70%.
Best for: Security managers, architects, consultants, CISO track.
Salary boost: $15K-$25K. CISSP holders average $115K+ (ISC² salary survey).
Study time: 4-6 months (100-200 hours).
Resources: Official ISC² study guide, Kelly Handerhan Cybrary videos, practice exams.

Specialized Certifications (Based on Career Path)

• Cloud Security: AWS Certified Security – Specialty ($300), Microsoft SC-200 (Security Operations Analyst, $165), CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional, $599)
• Penetration Testing: OSCP ($1,649, highly respected), GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester, $2,499)
• Incident Response / Forensics: GCIH (GIAC Certified Incident Handler, $2,499), GCFA (GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst, $2,499)
• Governance / Compliance: CISM (Certified Information Security Manager, $575), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor, $575)

Building Your Cybersecurity Portfolio

Certifications prove knowledge; portfolio proves ability. Especially critical for career-switchers without IT experience.

What to Include

1. Home Lab Documentation: Write blog posts or GitHub README documenting your lab setup. Example: "Building a SOC Home Lab: Security Onion + pfSense + Active Directory." Include screenshots, configuration steps, lessons learned. Shows initiative and hands-on learning.
2. TryHackMe / HackTheBox Writeups: Complete beginner-friendly rooms/boxes (e.g., TryHackMe's "Blue" Windows exploitation room). Write detailed walkthroughs explaining methodology, tools used, findings. Demonstrates problem-solving and documentation skills.
3. Mock Incident Response Report: Simulate a security incident (e.g., phishing attack leading to credential compromise). Write a formal incident report: timeline, indicators of compromise, root cause, remediation steps, lessons learned. Follow NIST IR framework.
4. Vulnerability Assessment: Scan your home network or permission-granted VMs with Nessus/OpenVAS. Create professional vulnerability report: executive summary, findings prioritized by CVSS score, remediation recommendations, proof-of-concept screenshots.
5. Security Tool Scripts: If learning Python, write automation scripts. Examples: log parser (extract failed login attempts from auth.log), threat intel checker (query VirusTotal API for IOC reputation), vulnerability report generator. Share on GitHub with clear documentation.
6. CTF Competition Participation: Compete in Capture The Flag events (DEF CON CTF, PicoCTF, National Cyber League). Document your approach, even if you don't win. Shows competitive drive and continuous learning.

Where to Showcase

• GitHub: Host scripts, lab documentation, writeups. Shows technical ability and version control familiarity.
• Personal blog/website: Medium, WordPress, or self-hosted site. Write tutorials, incident analyses, certification study guides. Demonstrates communication skills and thought leadership.
• LinkedIn: Link portfolio in profile, post project highlights as articles, share security news commentary.
• TryHackMe profile: Public badge showcase. Employers recognize platform—shows continuous learning.

Portfolio tips: Quality over quantity—3 excellent projects beat 10 half-finished ones. Make everything professional (no typos, clear explanations). Tailor to target roles (SOC analyst? emphasize SIEM/detection. Pen tester? highlight offensive projects). Update regularly (shows you're staying current).

Top Employers Hiring Cybersecurity Analysts

Cybersecurity analysts are needed across all industries. Target applications based on priorities (salary, mission, work-life balance, technology):

Tech Companies (Highest Salaries, Cutting-Edge Tools)

FAANG + Big Tech: Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix—$90K-$140K entry-level, $120K-$180K+ senior. Competitive interviews (technical + behavioral). Perks: top tools, talented teams, resume prestige, stock options.
Mid-size tech: Salesforce, Adobe, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, Cloudflare—$80K-$120K. Often easier to land than FAANG, still excellent learning.
Startups (Series A-C): Fintech, SaaS, crypto companies—$75K-$105K + equity. Fast-paced, wear-many-hats, higher risk/reward.

Finance & Banking (High Salaries, Compliance-Heavy)

Investment Banks: JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup—$75K-$115K. Formal environment, strict compliance (PCI-DSS, SOX), great training programs.
Fintech: PayPal, Square, Stripe, Robinhood, Coinbase—$75K-$110K. More tech culture, focus on fraud detection + API security.
Insurance: State Farm, Allstate, Progressive—$65K-$90K. Stable, less cutting-edge.

Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) — Entry-Level Friendly

Top MSSPs: Arctic Wolf, Secureworks, Trustwave, Rapid7, CrowdStrike Services—$60K-$85K.
Why great for entry-level: Hire SOC analysts in volume, provide training, expose to many clients/technologies, 24/7 shift coverage means always hiring.
Cons: Shift work (nights/weekends), high alert volume (can be exhausting), client-facing pressure.
Career strategy: Start at MSSP (get experience fast), move to internal enterprise SOC after 2-3 years for better hours/pay.

Healthcare (HIPAA Compliance, Mission-Driven)

Hospital Systems: Kaiser Permanente, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic—$65K-$90K. Focus on patient data protection (HIPAA), ransomware defense (healthcare heavily targeted).
Health Tech: Epic Systems, Cerner, Teladoc—$70K-$100K. Faster-paced than hospitals.

Government & Defense (Security Clearance, Benefits)

Federal Agencies: NSA, FBI, CIA, DoD, DHS—$60K-$85K (GS-7 to GS-12 pay scale). Requires security clearance (Secret/Top Secret—18-24 month process). Pros: pension, job security, clearance value (transferable to defense contractors paying $100K+). Cons: lower cash pay, bureaucracy, strict drug policies (cannabis = disqualifier).
Defense Contractors: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton—$75K-$110K with clearance. Higher pay than government, similar work.
State/Local Government: State agencies, universities—$55K-$75K. Lower pay, good work-life balance, pension.

Consulting (Client Exposure, Travel)

Big 4: Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG—$70K-$95K entry. Cybersecurity consulting for Fortune 500. Travel pre-pandemic (returning), long hours, excellent resume builder.
Boutique Security Firms: Mandiant (Google Cloud), CrowdStrike Services, Rapid7—$75K-$105K. Incident response, penetration testing, threat intelligence consulting.

Critical Infrastructure (High Stakes, Essential Services)

Energy/Utilities: Power companies, oil/gas—$70K-$100K. Protecting SCADA/ICS systems, regulatory compliance (NERC CIP).
Transportation: Airlines, railways—$65K-$90K. Safety-critical systems.

Pros and Cons of a Cybersecurity Analyst Career

Pros ✅

• Extreme demand: 3.4 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally (ISC² Workforce Study). Every company needs security—recession-proof.
• Strong salaries: $65K-$130K range, with clear upward trajectory. Senior roles reach $150K-$200K+.
• No degree required: Certifications (Security+, CISSP) + hands-on skills valued over degrees for entry/mid-level.
• Intellectual challenge: Constant puzzle-solving, adversarial thinking (outsmart attackers), never boring.
• Clear career progression: SOC Tier 1 → Tier 2 → Senior Analyst → Lead/Manager OR transition to pen testing, threat intelligence, security architecture, CISO track.
• Diverse industries: Work in tech, finance, healthcare, government, consulting—security skills transferable everywhere.
• Continuous learning: Always new threats, tools, techniques. If you love learning, this is paradise.
• Mission-driven: Protect people, companies, critical infrastructure from real harm (ransomware, data breaches, nation-state attacks).
• Certification ROI: Security+ ($400 investment) can land $65K job. CISSP adds $15K-$25K salary boost.

Cons ❌

• Shift work (SOC roles): 24/7 monitoring means nights, weekends, holidays—especially in first 2-3 years. Disrupts sleep, social life.
• High stress: Active incidents = all-hands, high-pressure situations. On-call rotations. Expectation to prevent breaches (impossible to stop 100%).
• Alert fatigue: Thousands of SIEM alerts daily, 95%+ false positives. Mentally draining to investigate repetitive noise.
• Constantly evolving threats: Must stay current weekly—new vulnerabilities (Log4j, MOVEit), attack techniques, tools. Continuous learning required (can feel exhausting).
• Competitive entry-level: Lots of bootcamp grads, career-switchers competing for SOC Tier 1 roles. May take 50-100 applications to land first job.
• Less remote than other tech roles: 30-40% remote opportunities vs. 50-60% for software/data jobs. Many orgs require on-site for incident response.
• Bureaucracy (enterprise/government): Slow change approval processes, compliance red tape, risk-averse cultures can frustrate quick-moving analysts.
• Blame when things go wrong: Breaches happen despite best efforts, but security teams often blamed. Requires thick skin.
• Certification treadmill: Must renew certs (CPEs—continuing education), stay certified to remain competitive. Ongoing time/cost investment.

Cybersecurity Analyst vs. Related Roles

Cybersecurity Analyst vs. Penetration Tester

Cybersecurity Analyst (defensive): Monitors, detects, responds to threats. Tools: SIEM, firewalls, IDS. Salary: $65K-$130K. Broader job market.
Penetration Tester (offensive): Ethically hacks systems to find vulnerabilities. Tools: Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite. Salary: $85K-$150K. Requires deeper exploit knowledge. See FAQ above for full comparison.

Cybersecurity Analyst vs. Security Engineer

Cybersecurity Analyst: Monitors and responds to threats (operational focus). Reactive—investigates incidents.
Security Engineer: Builds and maintains security infrastructure (architectural focus). Proactive—designs secure systems, automates defenses, integrates security tools. Requires stronger programming/engineering skills. Salary: $90K-$150K (higher than analyst). Many analysts transition to engineering after 3-5 years.

Cybersecurity Analyst vs. Compliance / GRC Analyst

Cybersecurity Analyst: Technical—log analysis, incident response, threat detection.
GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) Analyst: Policy-focused—audits, risk assessments, compliance reporting (SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS). Less technical, more process/documentation. Salary: $60K-$100K. Better work-life balance (no on-call), less stressful, but less technical growth.

Next Steps: Start Your Cybersecurity Analyst Journey Today

Breaking into cybersecurity in 2025 is achievable with focused effort over 6-12 months. Here's your action plan:

Months 4-6: Continue applications (50-100 total), complete more TryHackMe rooms, consider CySA+ if not getting interviews, network with security professionals (LinkedIn, local ISSA chapter), do mock interviews (Pramp). Most dedicated learners land first SOC job within 6-12 months.

Free Resources to Get Started

• Network+ / Security+: Professor Messer YouTube (free video courses), ExamCompass practice exams
• Hands-On Labs: TryHackMe (freemium), HackTheBox (freemium), PentesterLab, SANS Cyber Aces
• SIEM Practice: Security Onion (free SIEM distribution), Splunk Free (60-day trial, then 500MB/day limit)
• Packet Analysis: Wireshark (free), Malware Traffic Analysis exercises (free PCAPs)
• News & Blogs: Krebs on Security, The Hacker News, SANS Internet Storm Center, r/netsec Reddit
• Communities: TryHackMe Discord, HackTheBox Forums, r/cybersecurity Reddit, local BSides conferences

Paid Training (If You Want Structure)

• Entry-Level Bootcamps: Fullstack Academy Cybersecurity ($16,950), Flatiron School ($16,900), SecureSet ($14,500)
• Advanced Training: SANS Courses ($8K-$10K per course, gold standard but expensive), Offensive Security (OSCP $1,649)
• Certification Bundles: INE Cyber Security Pass ($1,399/year, includes CySA+/CEH prep)

Cybersecurity analyst is one of the best career pivots in 2025—no degree required, strong salaries ($65K-$130K), extreme demand (3.4M unfilled jobs), recession-proof, and intellectually rewarding. Whether you self-study for 6-12 months or do a bootcamp, the path is clear: earn Security+, build a home lab, apply to SOC roles. Your first cybersecurity job could be 6-12 months away.