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We're here to help you find itA SOC analyst is an IT security/cyber security expert who works as part of a group to fight threats to an establishment's IT infrastructure and gauge security structures and processes for faults and possible improvements. The SOC team comprises several analysts and other security professionals, and they usually work in a single office location.
The SOC analyst profession can be a stage of advancement into a cyber security career. Let us look at what the job brings about and the skills you require to be successful.
A SOC analyst has a dual role to play. You need to keep a vigilant eye on the possible attack and find ways to build up defenses to avert or mitigate such malicious attacks. An analyst needs to install security tools, inspect suspicious activities and take part in building security strategies.
The SOC Analyst job description and account abilities in an enterprise are listed below:
Even though every company will assign a different set of responsibilities, to some extent, to the given job title, however, there are three tiers in a SOC analyst job:
These levels/tiers are not the only titles within a SOC. There are SOC engineers as well, who are in charge of constructing and keeping the systems functioning that the analysts use, and at the top of the layer are SOC managers, who supervise the complete operation.
The skills that you need to acquire to become a certified SOC Analyst are here listed below:
Also Read: 6 Top Security Certifications you Should Have in 2021-22
To get a SOC analyst job, one thing that you need the most is on-the-job experience within the IT industry. There are numerous certification courses that a prospective employer uses to gauge your knowledge on the subject. Likewise, there are several online training and education resources you can use to learn for them.
One such certification is Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate, a certificate designed for individuals who work as SOC analysts in large organizations. It provides relevant, practical, and job-ready certification syllabi associated closely with real-world tasks required as an associate-level SOC professional. (The certification was earlier known as Cisco CCNA Cyber Ops). To get this certification, you can get training from the Cisco Learning Network.
The International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants, also referred to as EC-Council, has its own certification in this domain— Certified SOC Analyst. They also provide an iClass to aspirants to prepare for it. There are several other boot camps, and training courses from third parties are available as well.
CompTIA Security+ certification is also the most frequently cited by the aspirants, alongside the Ethical Hacker certificate from EC-Council.
SOC-specific certifications are not the only way to demonstrate your worth. A SOC analyst primarily needs to validate the standard set of security skills, and there are many certifications to help you do so.
SOC Analysts are among the highest remunerative Cyber Security professionals on the earth.
As per Glassdoor 2020, in the US the average salary of a Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) is US$71,000 per annum, and depending on their work experience and skills, it may go up to US$100,000.
In India, an entry-level SOC analyst salary with less than 1-year experience can expect to draw an average total compensation of ₹3.5 lakhs. Depending on several factors such as location, job role, skills, work experience, company, etc., they can earn up to ₹1,000,000 per year.
Additional Read: Cyber Security Analyst: Everything You Need to Know About
This write-up must have given you a basic understanding of what SOC is and who SOC Analysts are. Further, their responsibilities in an organization are also covered. You have also read in detail about the skills you need to start as a Certified SOC Analyst and then progress in your career in this field.
To attain all the necessary skills and begin with the first step toward becoming a Certified SOC Analyst, you must register with a well-known institute/forum. Further, you must also get some real-world experience through industry-grade projects, which will improve your learning and escalate your probability of getting your dream job. We hope that we covered and answered your doubts on What is SOC Analyst is. Get started today!
Archer Charles has top education industry knowledge with 4 years of experience. Being a passionate blogger also does blogging on the technology niche.