Cybersecurity Analyst Resume: Templates & Top Tips

It happens to all of us, we look at our resume and think that it needs an update as soon as possible.
As a Cybersecurity Analyst, you’ll need the latest measures to keep your job candidacy safe from demanding employers and the application tracking system.
To do so, you’ll need to build a secure resume that shows off your cybersecurity knowledge and experience.
Many candidates wonder “What are the best skills to highlight?” or “What are the roles and responsibilities of cybersecurity analysts that should be listed on my resume?”
If you fit either category, no need to worry, in this guide, we provide you with top tips and a sample resume for cybersecurity analyst jobs that will help you:
- Decide the best cybersecurity analyst resume format for your application
- Craft a 10/10 resume summary and objective
- Pitch your relevant work experience
- Select the skills you should add, like scripting, and more
- Suggest additional sections to stand out from other applicants
You can also save time with our free and easy-to-use resume builder tool, making it simple to tailor your application to every position.
Cybersecurity Analyst Resume Sample
Before we get into the nitty-gritty advice, here’s an entry-level cybersecurity analyst resume sample that can act as a rough guide for you.
[May Baker]
[Cybersecurity Analyst]
[215 Raleigh St., New York, NY 12123 | 123-456-7890 | maybaker@randomemail.com]
Self-starting computer science and cybersecurity professional with 3+ years of experience working with government and private security contractors. Adept at ensuring network security through vulnerability management and scanning, and incident reporting. Well-versed in Python and Linux.
>> Skills <<
- Software development
- Python
- Linux
- Penetration testing
- Security tools
- Operating Systems
- Network Architecture
- System Administration
- Cloud Computing
- Cloud Security
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Internet of Things (IoT)
>> Experience <<
Junior Cybersecurity Analyst
CyberShot | New York, NYSeptember 2021 – June 2023
- Decreased reporting and resolution time of Host Based Security System (HBSS) deficiencies by 48%.
- Reduced malware risk by 57% by implementing a multilayer security system featuring enhanced anti-spyware, anti-spam, and antivirus, increasing customer base.
- Provided technical support to 50+ non-technical staff through effective communication and problem analysis and resolution.
Cybersecurity Analyst Intern
Digivest | Madison, WI September 2020 – September 2021
- Discovered 5+ potential security threats and vulnerabilities and suggested upgrades and solutions to superior.
- Reduced attacks on client networks by 20% after collaborating with senior and junior cybersecurity analysts on four malware detection and protection projects.
>> Education <<
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of Oregon | Eugene, OR
2019
- Recipient of the Best Graduating Student Award
- Relevant Coursework: Computer Architecture and Organization, Software Engineering, Operating Systems
>> Certifications <<
- CompTIA Security+ – 2022
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – 2021
What’s the Best Cybersecurity Analyst Resume Format?
The format you choose for your resume can portray your sense of self-awareness and organization, as well as how you can potentially function within an organization.
The combination/hybrid resume format is the best choice for cybersecurity analysts because it allows you to highlight both your technical skills and professional experience in a balanced manner.
This format is particularly well-suited to the cybersecurity field for the following reasons:
- Skills Showcase: It allows candidates to highlight their relevant cybersecurity skills upfront and quickly catch the recruiter’s attention.
- Experience Display: It provides a platform to demonstrate valuable practical experience in handling security tasks, which is a key aspect of cybersecurity roles.
- Career Mapping: It helps depict career progression, which is important in a rapidly evolving field like cybersecurity.
However, does this format only work for the more experienced analysts?
The good news is if you’re asking yourself “How do I write a cybersecurity resume with no experience?”, you don’t need to make any drastic changes.
Even if you haven’t worked as a full-time analyst yet, using a combination resume is still a great option.
How to Format an Entry-Level Cybersecurity Analyst’s Resume
Combination resume formats can also be beneficial for entry-level cybersecurity analysts for the following reasons:
- Focus on Skills: This format still places plenty of focus on skills and allows candidates to showcase their technical abilities, certifications, and relevant training.
- Career Changes: For those transitioning from another field, combination format allows you to emphasize how your existing skill set can be relevant to a cybersecurity role.
- Gaps in Employment: Combination resumes are less focused on work history than reverse-chronological formats, making them suitable for candidates with employment gaps or unconventional career paths.
Once you’ve decided on the best format for your cybersecurity resume, our selection of modern resume templates will inspire you to design an eye-catching resume the right way.
How to Write a Cybersecurity Analyst Resume Summary or Resume Objective
When it comes to your cybersecurity analyst summary, keep in mind that it’s all about first impressions.
Think of your summary as the short pitch you give your potential employer, since there isn’t enough time to talk about your entire work history, your skills, or how you’re passionate about keeping hackers out of their network.
💡Top Tip
Keep your resume summary short and sweet. Ideally, it should be between three and five lines in length. Anywhere below or above that range risks sharing too little or too much
A professional summary should briefly describe your skills and accomplishments in your career so far.
Cybersecurity Analyst Resume Objective Example
An alternative to a summary is an objective.
While resume objectives aren’t as popular in today’s day and age, some entry-level and junior cybersecurity analysts may consider using one.
Newer professionals are likely applying for a job to get more experience, so a resume objective should outline their potential, education, skills, work and internship history, and career goal.
If you want to create a great objective statement, you’re going to need to speak to what the requirements of the position are.
Check out this example taken from an entry-level cybersecurity analyst resume sample:
Wrong ❌
New graduate of computer science looking to pivot into the cybersecurity field. Would like an opportunity to test out solid prospects at your organization.
This objective is okay at best. It doesn’t provide information about what skills you have and whatever experiences you’ve garnered that make you qualified for this job. It also focuses on what the candidate wants, rather than what they can offer the company.
Right ✅
Computer Science graduate with 2+ years of experience in the IT and cybersecurity field. Adept at online security research, planning, execution, and maintenance with skills in Python, Excel, and programming. Seeking to use my abilities to assist with cyber security at Lunar Technologies.
This objective is much better! It does an excellent job of getting into specifics with how many years of experience they possess, what part of the industry they’ve worked in, and a summary of their responsibilities and skills.
It also focuses on what the candidate wants to offer the organization, rather than the reverse.
How to Describe Your Cybersecurity Analyst Experience on Your Resume
For most jobs, experience is key, and cybersecurity is no different. Hiring managers want to know that you’ve done the following.
- Kept a previous company’s data safe
- Lowered risks
- Applied cybersecurity software
However, simply listing your achievements at previous workplaces on your resume is where many applicants get it wrong.
This section is a chance to show why you’re an invaluable asset to the company of your dreams.
💡top tip
What did you accomplish with the opportunities you were given before? The answers to this question should be your focus, not just copying the job responsibilities of a cybersecurity analyst onto your resume.
It can help to follow a formula for describing your responsibilities: action verb + accomplishment + metric.
Cybersecurity Analyst Resume Examples: Experience
Let’s take a look at this formula in action with a couple of examples.
Wrong ❌
Cybersecurity Engineer
Digitech Global Inc | New York, NY
June 2019 – December 2020
- Applied patch management system
- Responsible for reducing malware risk
- Tasked with reducing reporting and resolution time
- Security risk mitigation
Right ✅
Cybersecurity Engineer
Digitech Global Inc | New York, NY
June 2019 – December 2020
- Applied patch management system for 300+ workstations and desktop computers and 20+ servers.
- Reduced malware risk by 60% by implementing a multilayer security system featuring enhanced anti-spyware, anti-spam, and antivirus, increasing customer base.
- Decreased reporting and resolution time of Host Based Security System (HBSS) deficiencies by 68% by using Snort as an issue detection tool.
- Mitigated security risks by 30% through physical access controls implementation.
Both examples state the job role, company name, and duration, but only the second does a stellar job of painting a picture of work excellence by following the action verb + accomplishment + metric format. Additionally, the achievements are measurable and relevant.
How to Write the Education Section for a Cybersecurity Analyst
Your education section should include your degree designation, the institution’s name, and the year of graduation.
Optional additions like relevant curricula and relevant coursework you completed are ideal if you’d like to shine a bit more light on your time in school.
Here’s how it should look:
- Designation (B.Sc.) + program title
- Name of institution, location, year of graduation
Optional:
- GPA or measures of performance (if you’ve graduated in the past two years or so and received a GPA of 3.5 or above)
- Relevant coursework
- Related extracurricular activities
🌟Featured Content: According to Fortune.com, upskilling will be essential to employers and employees, with some free cybersecurity programs being made available to help entry-level analysts improve their craft.
But where do you place your education section? It likely depends on your current career level.
- Entry-level analysts: You should benefit the most from putting the education section directly under the resume objective.
- Senior or junior analysts: If you have three or more years of relevant experience, keep details about education to a minimum.
A good rule of thumb is to remember to always emphasize your most relevant and recent experiences when you’ve already been working for several years, whether or not they’re in the classroom.
Cybersecurity Analyst Resume: Education Section
It might seem small, but how you highlight your degree says a lot about your personal organization skills and how you perceive your time at school.
Let’s see how it should be done. Be aware that if you have lots of work experience and are tight on space, you can leave out the bulleted information.
Right ✅
B.Sc. in Computer Science
University of Wisconsin | Madison, WI
2016 – 2019
- Dean’s List: 2017, 2018, 2019
- Recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award
- Led group hackathon project that won HackEthic 360 contest
If you have multiple degrees, you should list them starting with the most recent:
M.Sc. Cyber Security, 2020
Ashland University | Ashland, OH
B.Sc. Computer Engineering, 2018
University of Wisconsin | Madison, WI
The Best Cybersecurity Analyst Skills for a Resume
Now that your experience section is secure, it’s time to narrow the resume down to the cornerstone of your tasks and achievements: Skills.
While your work experience describes how you performed your duties excellently at your previous jobs, internships, or in the classroom, your skills are what made you stand out.
💡top tip
Only list skills and software you’re familiar with, as you might get asked about them during the interview. It’s never worth lying on your resume!
Normally when candidates start crafting this section, they ask themselves, “What skills are required for cybersecurity analysts?”
That’s a good start, but you’ll have to think bigger.
The trick is knowing the exact key skills that any employer wants to see on a Cybersecurity Analyst’s resume.
Consider these factors when determining what to include:
- The job description or requirements
- What skills you have put into practice at work and beyond
- Industry terminology and keywords
The job description is your guide, as it will be able to tell you the requirements of the position and exactly what the hiring manager is prioritizing.
By looking at the description you’ll know if the employer wants someone good at penetration testing, firewall installation, or other specific skills.
If you’re able to do that, it will be easy to choose the ideal cybersecurity resume keywords and get past both the applicant tracking system and impress any recruiter.
💡top tip
List those unpracticed skills, too, even if they aren’t mentioned in the experience section.
Here are some common skills you might want to list when applying for a Cybersecurity Analyst position for some inspiration. Focus your list on your hard skills, and weave your soft skills throughout your experience and other resume sections.
Soft Skills
- Analytical
- Diagnostics
- Good Performance Under Pressure
- Decision-Making
- Accountability
- Problem-Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Cross-functional communication
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Active listening
- Adaptability
- Active learning
- Oral & written presentations
Hard Skills
- Secure Software Development
- Reverse Engineering
- Scripting
- Risk Mitigation
- Firewall Installation
- Automation/DevOps
- Encryption
- Security Analysis
- Python
- Linux
- Penetration testing
- Security tools
- Network Architecture
- System Administration
- Cloud Computing
- Cloud Security
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Internet of Things (IoT)
How to Add “Other” Sections for an Effective Resume
There may be parts of your work experience that may not fit under the conventional headings we’ve already discussed.
An additional section allows you to provide more information about any extra abilities.
Feel free to add detail under additional sections. Let the hiring team know how those awards will help keep their servers protected from external attacks.
So how best can you present these additional sections? Below are some examples.
Cybersecurity Analyst Resume: Sample Extra Sections
Numerous sections could qualify for a spot on your resume.
Depending on your experience and abilities, you might want to add:
- Certifications
- Security clearance
- Awards
- Hobbies
- Languages
- Volunteer work
Certifications
As a Cybersecurity Analyst, certifications are essential to get hired.
Some companies don’t require a bachelor’s degree when hiring a Cybersecurity Analyst. Instead, they’ll use your certifications to determine your industry training.
The following are some popular, and sometimes required, cybersecurity analyst certifications you should consider adding to our resume (we aren’t affiliated with any of these):
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
- SANS GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
- CompTIA Penetration Tester (PenTest+)
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
💡top tip
A resume is meant to toot your horn as loud as possible, but you don’t have enough space to add everything in, so prioritize what you think your potential employer will value the most.
Security Clearances
You never can tell when you might need some kind of government security clearance to ensure resources and data are safe at demanding, high-profile jobs.
You might need clearances when working with the government, at a science lab, or at a big pharmaceutical company belonging to the federal government.
Check out these examples to get you started:
- Counterintelligence (CI) Scope Polygraph (CSP)
- Full Scope Polygraph
Key Takeaway
Securing a job with a well-drafted resume is not so difficult once you’ve got the right tools and experience. Here are some key points to remember:
- Reading a sample cybersecurity analyst resume will give you an idea of how to draft your own.
- Make sure that your resume is well-rounded and contains details about your work history, education, skills, and any other necessary details you want the hiring team to know.
- Read the job advertisement carefully and note critical skills and requirements so you can match them with your resume experience and abilities.
- Create additional sections that guarantee extra points when the hiring manager scores your resume.
Using helpful tools like innovative templates and builders can make your resume airtight.