If there’s anywhere that’s ground zero in the fight against cybersecurity threats, it’s the job of the Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst. Every day SOC analysts face the potential of cybercrime and threats against every organization with an online presence.
We’ve got a valuable overview of the key certifications needed to become a SOC analyst, the skills required to succeed in this role, and the salary and job opportunities available in this exciting career. Certifications will enhance your job marketability and help you advance faster in your career.
What is a SOC Analyst?
Checkpoint research shows the number of cyberattacks grew 50% in 2021, with organizations facing an average of 925 cyber attacks weekly. An estimated 30,000 websites are hacked daily. It’s no wonder SOC analysts are in high demand.
A SOC analyst monitors and analyzes an organization’s security networks and plays a critical role in preventing cyberattacks, managing threats, and resolving cybersecurity incidents. Traditionally, a SOC analyst is an entry-level to mid-level information security position.
As a cybersecurity watchdog and first line of defense, your job is to monitor systems and networks for unauthorized intrusions, identify potential threats, and prevent network vulnerabilities from cyberattacks. The job typically has three levels in most organizations:
- Level I – this entry-level role consists mainly of analyzing and monitoring for threats and logging and tracking incidents
- Level II – mid-level analysts typically investigate cybersecurity threats and incidents, identify hardware, software and network risks, assess the damage and recommend potential solutions
- Level III – these experienced SOC analysts are usually threat hunters, handling the most complex threats, managing severe cybersecurity incidents, and making recommendations for deeper cybersecurity prevention strategies and programs.
Essential Education & Skills for a SOC Analyst
While cybersecurity professionals come from various backgrounds, most employers expect a college or university bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology or engineering, and industry training in cybersecurity. However, it is possible to fast-track into an entry-level position with an associate degree in cybersecurity together with certification.
Certification is a valuable addition to your resume and job marketability. In many cases, employers require certification or some type of SOC Analyst Training Online. It demonstrates both your skills and knowledge and your willingness to stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity industry standards.
The hard skills required for a SOC analyst position include:
- network management, data and threat protection, and IT defense skills such as setting up firewalls and other defenses
- computer forensics skills help with the investigation and recovery of systems and data from cyber attacks
- incident response and the ability to manage network threats and incidents quickly, effectively, and correctly the first time.
Programming, risk analysis, and knowledge of network protocols, malicious code, and intruder techniques are critical foundation skills. In addition, soft skills are essential and include critical thinking, collaboration, communication, lifelong learning, and handling and working under pressure.
High Demand for SOC Expertise
SOC analyst is a job that pays very well for new recruits, and it’s growing in demand every day.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a SOC analyst is $99,730. Talent.com pegs the average salary for SOC analysts in the US at $85,000 or $43.59 per hour. An entry-level position starts at $64,164, while experienced SOC analysts earn base salaries up to $120,000 per year and more.
Cybersecurity Ventures estimated more than 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs were unfilled worldwide in 2021. There are 950,000 jobs in cybersecurity in the US, with an estimated 450,000 cybersecurity jobs unfilled last year. That spells opportunity for both entry-level cybersecurity jobs and experienced SOC analysts.
SOC Analyst Certification Overview
The types of SOC analyst certification vary widely in prerequisites, cost, time to attain certification, and their importance to potential employers. We’ve got an overview of the most important SOC analyst certifications in the highest demand by cybersecurity professionals and employers.
Types of SOC Analyst Certification
Here are the six most in-demand SOC analyst certifications and what you need to consider when choosing the best certification for your career. Most certificates can be earned while working, often through online studies, and usually are eligible for three years before requiring renewal and CEU credits.
- Security+ – entry-level with no prerequisites before the exam; CompTIA recommends 2-3 years experience in IT management; focuses on core cybersecurity skills required by security and network administrators; $549-$949 (Depending on materials, study guides, etc.); 90-minute exam
- CySA+ – mid-level certification with no prerequisites, although CompTIA recommends 3-4 years experience; a focus on hands-on knowledge and experience in security analytics, intrusion detection and response; $549-$949 (Depending on materials, study guides, etc.); 165-minute exam
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – EC-Council certification requires formal training or a minimum of 2-years of experience before taking the CEH exam; focuses on network reconnaissance, network access, network enumeration, maintaining network access, and disguising evidence of a network breach; $1,199; 4-hour exam
- Certified Risk and Info Systems Control (CRISC) – offered by ISACA with a minimum of 3-years experience; covers governance, IT risk assessment, risk response and reporting, and IT security; $575-$760; 4-hour exam
- Certified Systems Auditor (CISA) – offered by ISACA with a minimum of 3-years experience; covers information systems auditing, IT governance and maintenance, IS operations and business resilience, and protection of business assets; $575-$760; 4-hour exam
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – ISC2 certification requires a minimum of 5-years of experience; covers knowledge and skill to design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program; $749; 4-hour exam.
Which Certifications Matter Most?
Choosing the best certification depends on the stage of your career. Entry-level certification (#1 – #3 above) helps you get started in the industry. Mid-level certifications (#2 – #5) are designed to help you advance your career and prepare analysts for bigger cybersecurity jobs and management responsibilities.
Each organization accrediting cybersecurity professionals has more information on the best certification, depending on your SOC analyst job aspirations. Research by burning glass technologies shows cybersecurity professionals earn 9% more on average than their IT professional counterparts.
Certification Matters
When it comes to certifications for a Security Operations Center analyst, there’s no question – certification provides you with a competitive advantage in the job market. It will bring you higher pay, deeper cybersecurity knowledge, more prestige, and enhanced professional standing. It’s a career with fast-growing demand, and it doesn’t get much better than that.
Author Bio
Glenn Mabry is a senior instructor/tech researcher for Legends of Tech. Glenn has more than twenty years in the tech industry, with specific expertise in cyber security, data science, cloud, networking, coding, and more. Legends of Tech is a technology training platform that gives top Subject Matter Experts the ability to showcase their skills and learners the advantage of staying ahead of the extremely fast-paced industry.