Jobs in computer and information security are in high demand, projected to grow by 32 percent in the next decade*. You’ll find the resources you need to jumpstart your cybersecurity career here.
Cybersecurity analysts protect computer networks and systems from cyber threats. They identify vulnerabilities in organizations, implement defensive measures, investigate incidents, and coordinate responses to cyberattacks. Becoming a junior cybersecurity analyst is an excellent first step in your cybersecurity career. You’ll build the foundational skills you need to transition into a more advanced or specialized role, such as security engineering or architecture. Learn more about how to prepare for an entry-level cybersecurity analyst role and how Coursera can help:
If you’re interested in computers, networks, and how they work, a career in cybersecurity could be a good fit for you. Jobs in the field tend to be in-demand and high-paying. The median salary for an information security analyst, for example, is $112,000 per year [3].
As you begin a career in cybersecurity, you’ll find a variety of different roles and specializations to pursue. Earning a degree in cybersecurity could be a step toward career opportunities like:
You probably won’t need to know how to code for most entry-level cybersecurity jobs. The ability to read and understand code becomes increasingly helpful as you advance in the field. Some programming languages you might consider learning include JavaScript, HTML, Python, C, and C++.
The skills, practices, and technologies you’ll use as a cybersecurity professional will continue to evolve along with computer and network technology. The desire to learn, ability to problem solve, and attention to detail will serve you well in this field. Other, more technical skills and technologies to learn include:
SIEM tools (security information and event management)
Firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
![[Featured image] A cybersecurity analyst works on their laptop at home.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1lwnYIlY8aaJnToE6l7n31/f20e75f19105aacb66cc134eca5ced72/cyber.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] Two cybersecurity professionals review a cybersecurity resume.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6ZMfXIKjnyZjLM0I05E0Pa/6d8582dbdb3948c69dbb596ab5619f87/CZf9TmkA.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A person in a blue shirt and wearing AirPods uses their laptop to discuss cybersecurity interview questions on a video call.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6fGW2CtaRhwMvwfVJpgn5i/8c89ddfbba0c511aed2769cdd255660e/GettyImages-1326991899.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A cybersecurity analyst holds a notebook and stands in front of a room filled with servers.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/pyPiAp8eG6sKs9XTMtjGy/ee1f07f216174f9638830aaea273ad08/GettyImages-1445359932.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] An information security analyst in a blue collared shirt works at a desktop computer displaying code.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6WT9t5WgqJDEYAE1bLiJHx/a6a831359d2360dda856a3c514001e7f/GettyImages-1127443180__3_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: An SOC Analyst responding to a cyber-related threat on a business computer system.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7KGrxj5tF3aX6ndQhPWMwH/a5150e3b276e17f180b25378200eb883/GettyImages-1289906309.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: IT Security Analyst working on a cybersecurity plan for the organization.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5fT4YJvpQdyY8ZOLjQ5rAX/52fbec0eaf7f5d7ec0dc7203545f9e22/Rohit_Ravi_India_201129_0197__1_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A white hat hacker works on a computer in an office.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4qvtKD1XtSbBDjXKpOze6q/061e359d8d7596be402d8c73a6c1d5a6/GettyImages-1450969748.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A cybersecurity analyst in a yellow blazer works on a laptop at a desk with floating bookshelves behind them.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/3fwXkHAD9pw7MuaKgWf5oM/62a360c4eaf066af71550dc427ce74f9/Security_Plus_certified_analyst.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A cybersecurity engineer in a blue long-sleeve shirt stands in an open office space holding their tablet.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4piLyZVBzLHSiG7JKtHIq1/e12fe3f735986c2aa23bf2e7b0e5499f/cybersecurity_career_path.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A security engineer stands in front of a desk with a light, laptop, and desktop computer in an open office with lots of windows.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2c6P5Q4jFOgFkEwIhj5eC1/2788ab6b9fafff5dcc81402087a7ef03/Security_engineer.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A student in a cybersecurity degree program is working at a coffee shop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2ymb4omxifJj0bVzfwPtTW/530d42d9c7cff6e2a39b22dfe09a3e1d/cybersecurity_degree.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A cybersecurity engineer is working from home on his laptop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1Nu8GXWZ6OUGGKfQUEHXtQ/b8324d0de680d16e0e88297e4263bfe3/cybersecurity_jobs.png?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A person in a blue button-down and black cardigan holds a blue folder and sits at a desk with a laptop and two monitors.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/53xRQ0CAMlfmPHeIwPSA2S/6c62dcfb76f40dc8c1e9d3ac01257de8/Cybersecurity.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)