Security Analyst Resume Example
A career as a security analyst typically involves monitoring network traffic and analyzing security threats. For a successful security analyst application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a security analyst resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a security analyst resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your security analyst resume.
What to include in a security analyst resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your security analyst resume, while there are also a few optional sections you can make use of to strengthen your application.
For junior and entry-level security analyst positions, you may be short on work experience to include in your resume. Select a resume layout that emphasizes your skills and qualifications, such as a functional format. Likewise, an entry-level resume might focus more on soft and transferable skills, as well as details about internships, voluntary work or relevant training you've completed.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for security analyst applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your security analyst resume to showcase your depth of relevant work experience, as well as other achievements. Use a reverse-chronological format and add additional sections to prove you're a strong candidate. Some elements to include in a senior resume for maximum impact might include awards, publications, conference presentations or professional memberships. By adding these sections, it's likely that your resume will be longer than a junior resume.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Resume Header with Contact Details
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Evelyn Jones
evelyn.jones@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA
linkedin․com/in/evelyn–jones123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for security analyst roles.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for security analyst roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for security analyst jobs below.
Good example:
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity with hands-on experience as a Cybersecurity Analyst. Skilled in threat detection, incident response, vulnerability assessment, and implementation of security protocols. Proven ability to analyze complex security issues, develop mitigation strategies, and enhance overall cybersecurity posture. Strong knowledge of network security, risk management, and compliance standards. Effective communicator with a proactive approach to safeguarding digital assets
Bad example:
Studied cybersecurity and worked in a role related to it. Have done things like finding issues, responding to incidents, checking for weaknesses, and setting up security measures. Can look at security problems and think of ways to fix them. Know about keeping networks safe and following rules. Can talk to others about keeping digital stuff safe
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your security analyst resume summary
Work History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your security analyst skills. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to security analyst roles.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Good example:
Cybersecurity Analyst, January 2022 - Present
CyberGuard Analytics, Nashville
- Implemented advanced threat detection systems, reducing security incidents by 40%
- Conducted comprehensive security audits, achieving 99% compliance with industry standards
- Developed and led a cybersecurity training program, increasing staff awareness by 85%
Bad example:
Cybersecurity Analyst, January 2022 - Present
CyberGuard Analytics, Nashville
- Improved security measures to enhance system protection and reduce vulnerabilities
- Conducted audits to ensure compliance with security protocols and standards
- Led training sessions to increase staff knowledge of cybersecurity practices
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to security analyst roles.
If you're applying for security analyst positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your incident response management or SIEM tools expertise.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, 2017 - 2020
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Skills
The skills section of a security analyst resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include incident response management, attention to detail or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for security analyst jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a security analyst.
How to list hard skills on your security analyst resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for security analyst positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in security analyst roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for a security analyst resume are listed below.
- Network security protocols
- SIEM tools expertise
- Incident response management
How to list soft skills on your security analyst resume
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
An effective security analyst resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication
Certifications
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to security analyst jobs. These might be licenses that show you're qualified to operate certain equipment, or certifications that give you the edge over candidates with otherwise similar career history. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a security analyst.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for a security analyst resume:
- CISSP - Certified Information, 2022
- CEH - Certified Ethical, 2022
- CISM - Certified Information, 2022
Hear from experts:
Optional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a security analyst resume. Add any of the sections below that help you showcase your key skills and experience.
Hobbies
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world security analyst experience. Only include hobbies and interests that showcase your personality and personal qualities, and add something different to your application.
Volunteer Work
If you're lacking relevant security analyst work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a security analyst resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
References are available upon request.
Best strong verbs for your a security analyst resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Analyze
- Investigate
- Monitor
- Assess
- Implement
- Mitigate
- Respond
- Audit
- Safeguard
- Enforce
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Sample resume for security analyst positions
The security analyst resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA
•
evelyn.jones@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/evelyn–jones123
Cybersecurity Analyst with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and extensive experience as a Cybersecurity Specialist. Proven track record in identifying vulnerabilities, implementing robust security measures, and managing incident response. Adept at risk assessment, threat analysis, and compliance with industry standards. Skilled in utilizing advanced security tools and technologies to protect sensitive data and ensure organizational security
Cybersecurity Specialist
2020
-2022
SecureNet Solutions (Pittsburgh)
- Designed and implemented a multi-layered security architecture reducing security incidents by 40% within the first year
- Led a cross-functional team to achieve ISO 27001 certification, ensuring compliance with international security standards
- Conducted penetration testing that identified and remediated critical vulnerabilities, enhancing system resilience against cyber threats
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
2017
-2020
University of San Diego (San Diego, CA)
Network security protocols
SIEM tools expertise
Incident response management
Problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
Effective communication
CISSP - Certified Information
CEH - Certified Ethical
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a security analyst resume
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Create a positive impression with a well-written resume summary or objective that highlights your key strengths for security analyst roles.
- Quantify your accomplishments by providing evidence that shows the impact you've made in your career.
- Use action verbs to showcase how you've put your security analyst skills to use in your career (e.g. 'analyze', 'investigate', 'monitor').
- Choose a resume format that's clear, professional and makes your resume as readable as possible. Pay particular attention to the font, line spacing, heading and margins to make your document as easy-to-read as possible for employers.
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't forget to review your contact information before sending your resume, to ensure it's all up-to-date.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with security analyst applications.
- Don't use overly decorative formatting and layouts that can detract from the content and make your security analyst resume harder for scanning by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Don't add any hobbies or interests unless they directly showcase a skill or experience that's relevant to the job.
- Don't write any unnecessary personal details on your resume. Details such as age, gender or nationality can lead to unintentional recruitment bias.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. When drafting your security analyst resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Add keywords throughout your resume that help ATS software match your application to the job description. A higher match means your application is more likely to proceed to be reviewed by human eyes.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a security analyst resume
Now that you know how to write a professional security analyst resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
A full, formal cover letter follows a traditional letter-writing structure and format. Add your header, the recipient's address an use professional greetings and sign-offs. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and confirm the role you're applying for, along with your reasons for applying. Next, outline your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to the security analyst job description. Finish by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and adding a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you for further information.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write a security analyst resume that makes a strong impression on employers. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. Use the additional information sections at the end of your resume as a showcase for relevant skills and achievements. These can be a particularly useful way of proving you have the skills necessary for the job.
If you want to create a strong first impression in your security analyst application, a resume headline can help. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a short, snappy heading for your resume including the job title and a reference to your experience, your track record or one or two of your key skills.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Aspiring Junior Security Analyst Specialist
- Cybersecurity Analyst and Risk Mitigator
- Senior Security Analyst Specialist
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Key points for your security analyst resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Pick a resume format that matches your experience levels, and tailor the content of your resume to reflect the details of the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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