🛡️ What You Actually Do as a Cybersecurity Analyst

Why This Role Matters

Cybersecurity Analysts are the digital front line. They protect sensitive data, detect vulnerabilities, and respond to cyber threats that could damage systems, reputations, or finances.

---

What You Actually Do as a Cybersecurity Analyst

🕵️ 1. Monitor Networks 24/7
You watch network traffic for suspicious activity using tools like SIEMs (e.g., Splunk, IBM QRadar) or threat intelligence dashboards.

🚨 2. Investigate Security Alerts
You triage alerts, assess potential threats, and take action to prevent breaches or data leaks.

🔐 3. Perform Vulnerability Assessments
You scan systems for weaknesses using tools like Nessus or OpenVAS and prioritize remediation with IT teams.

🧪 4. Analyze Malware and Attacks
You reverse engineer malware, examine attack patterns, and gather indicators of compromise (IOCs) to understand how breaches occur.

🔧 5. Apply Security Patches
You track vulnerabilities (like CVEs), test patches, and ensure systems are updated without disrupting services.

📜 6. Write Incident Reports
You document security incidents with detailed timelines, technical analysis, and lessons learned to improve future response.

🔒 7. Enforce Security Policies
You help implement security controls such as MFA, encryption, access policies, and employee awareness training.

🧰 8. Collaborate Across Teams
You work with developers, IT, and compliance officers to align security with operations and regulations.

⚙️ 9. Run Penetration Testing Support
You coordinate or support ethical hacking efforts to test defenses and simulate real-world attack scenarios.

📚 10. Stay Ahead of Threats
You keep learning — from zero-day exploits and ransomware trends to evolving regulations like GDPR and NIST frameworks.

---

Final Thoughts

As a Cybersecurity Analyst, you’re not just monitoring firewalls — you’re protecting people, systems, and businesses from digital threats. It’s fast-paced, high-impact work that truly matters.

---

📌 Follow Uplatz for the next episode in the series:
👉 “What You Actually Do as a Product Manager”