What does a cybersecurity analyst do?

Cybersecurity analysts are part of the first line of defense against cyber attacks and play a vital role in keeping both company and consumer data safe. These professionals are experts at assessing threats, mitigating risks, and quickly responding to breaches through a variety of programs and techniques. 

As a cybersecurity analyst you will: 

• Analyze packet traffic flowing over a network in order to better troubleshoot issues such as poor network performance.

• Conduct vulnerability assessments using tools like Metasploit to profile an application for vulnerabilities, and then exploit those vulnerabilities.

• Create session-based applications utilizing user authentication schemes that are well-known and widely used.

• Configure machines on a virtual network, deploy them to the cloud, and investigate cloud security risks.

• Gain insight into the important best practices around password selection and storage to crack into (mock!) user accounts.

• Identify suspicious patterns of user behavior to identify bots, intruders, and other malicious actors.

• Perform administrative and security tasks to Windows and Linux Operating Systems.

• Perform network, system, and web penetration testing activities.

• Write Bash scripts to automate security and operating systems tasks.

Admission requirements for a cybersecurity boot camp

Our online boot camp program requires:

• A high school diploma

• A submission form

• A conversation with admissions 

• A complete application

• A problem-solving assessment (no prior cybersecurity knowledge is required)

• A financial options, deposit, and enrollment agreement

You do not need a bachelor’s or a master's degree to apply to the online cybersecurity boot camp. Pre-course tutorials designed to prepare you for our boot camp are available should you want to hit the ground running in your cybersecurity journey.

Are you a military veteran? You may be eligible for a 20% discount

If you’re an active military service member or veteran, several university partners in our network are proud to offer you a 20% tuition discount*. It’s our way of saying thank you for your service while helping you transition from military life to a thriving career in high-growth, in-demand civilian cybersecurity jobs. Talk to an  admissions advisor or visit our dedicated military page to learn more.

*This offer is only for active military, veterans, and reservists, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Discount subject to verification of eligibility. via SheerID eligibility verification platform. Discount not available at all universities. 

What is taught in a cybersecurity class?

Our cybersecurity boot camp is designed to give you a strong foundation in network and system security, and our live online classes emphasize the real-world applications of cybersecurity through hands-on exercises and projects.You’ll learn to use cybersecurity tools including Wireshark, Kali Linux, Metasploit, and Nessus, and gain key skills applicable to certifications such as the CompTIA Security+, Network+, Linux+, Server+, Cloud+, and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Module 1: Security fundamentals

Learn to think like a cybersecurity professional by assessing threats and mitigating risks. You will learn:

• CIA triad

• Governance

• Risk analysis and risk mitigation

• Compliance

• Business continuity planning

• Disaster recovery

Module 2: Systems administration

Gain hands-on experience working with the command line and bash commands that are prominent in IT roles. You will configure and audit servers, and harden and secure them from malicious attacks. You will learn:

• Linux server configuration

• Windows server configuration

• Tar, cron, and CronJobs

• Logging

• Bash scripting and programming

• Active directory

• Kerberos

Module 3: Networks and network security

Learn network configuration, design, protocols, and data communication. You will learn:

• Network architecture, operations, and security

• Wireshark and traffic analysis

• Email security

• Wireless security

• Cryptography and encryption

• Port scanning

• Cloud security and virtualization

Module 4: Defensive security

Dive into SIEMs and network security monitoring, practice responding to different breaches and attacks, and learn how to recover deleted data as part of preparing evidence for a legal case. You will learn:

• Splunk

• Monitoring and logging

• Incident response

• Forensics

• Data extraction and recovery

Module 5: Offensive security

Gain a thorough understanding of web applications, databases, and the vulnerabilities and hardening associated with them. You will learn:

• Burp Suite

• XSS vulnerabilities and payloads

• SQL injection

• Webshells

• File inclusion and command injection vulnerabilities

• Penetration testing execution standard

• SearchSploit and Metasploit

• Zenmap

• Pivoting networks

Module 6: Test prep and final projects

Focus on certification prep for Security+ and CEH exams, and conclude the program with a final group project.

What are the highest paying cybersecurity jobs?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for information security analysts was $102,600 per year in 2020. The job outlook from 2020 to 2030 for those positions is projected to increase by 33%.¹

Note that salaries within the cybersecurity field can vary depending on the company, job setting, or location. In addition, median pay for information security analysts can vary depending on what industry you work in — from information and finance to systems design and administration. 

Median pay for information security analysts by top industries (2021)²

• Information: $128,970

• Finance and insurance: $104,790

• Management of companies and enterprises: $101,350

• Computer systems design and related services: $101,170

• Administrative and support services: $95,270

How to become a cybersecurity analyst online

Cybersecurity analysts are not only in charge of monitoring databases and networks to keep them safe, but they also have to be able to effectively communicate any vulnerabilities or attacks to clients. 

Once you complete the online cybersecurity boot camp, you will learn key skills needed to become an effective cybersecurity analyst. These skills include:

1 Quality Assurance Handbook. (2020). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved August 4, 2022.

2 Quality Assurance Handbook. (2020). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved August 4, 2022.