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Career path guide

Cyber Security Analyst
Career Path

Defend systems and spot threats before they cause harm — see where you are now, which certifications get you hired, and how this fast-growing career develops.

Browse security courses
Avg UK salary
£50k
Time to first cert
6–10 wks
Degree required?
No
Demand
Very high

The role

What is a cyber security analyst?

A cyber security analyst protects an organisation’s systems and data from attack. They monitor for threats, investigate alerts, respond to incidents, and harden defences so attackers find fewer ways in.

Day to day the work involves monitoring security tools, triaging and investigating alerts, assessing vulnerabilities, supporting incident response, and helping the wider business work more securely. The role spans defensive work (blue team) and, with experience, offensive testing (red team).

It is one of the fastest-growing and best-paid areas in tech, with a well-documented skills shortage in the UK — which means strong demand, clear progression, and high salaries for certified analysts.

Many people move into security from IT support, networking or development, and our guide to getting into cyber security with no experience walks through the exact steps. You do not need a degree — you need recognised certifications, hands-on practice, and a genuine curiosity about how systems break.

This role suits you if…

  • You’re curious about how systems can be broken
  • You enjoy investigation and problem-solving
  • You stay calm under pressure during incidents
  • You want very high demand and strong pay
  • You like a field that never stops evolving
£50k
Typical UK security analyst salary
£80k+
Senior, management & CISO roles
High
A persistent UK skills shortage
Remote
Many roles are remote-friendly

Your certification roadmap

What to study and in what order

Tell us where you’re starting from and whether you lean defensive or offensive — we’ll show the right sequence of security certifications.

Where are you now?
Focus
Click any step above to learn more
Each step in the roadmap shows a certification or milestone. Select any step to see what it covers, how long it takes to study, and whether an exam is included.
Not sure which path is right for you?

Browse all our cyber security courses or compare certifications side by side.

Browse security courses Start with Security+

Career progression

Where this career can take you

From a first security role to security leadership — a realistic view of how the career develops, with the qualifications and salary ranges typical at each level.

Median UK cyber security analyst salary: £55,000 (rising to £70,000 in London). Based on advertised UK roles — source: ITJobsWatch, July 2026.

Entry level
IT Support / SOC Analyst (Tier 1)
IT Support · SOC Analyst · Junior Security Analyst
Cyber BeginnersCompTIA Security+
Monitoring alerts, handling first-line triage, and learning the fundamentals of how attacks and defences work. Security+ is the standard entry credential and opens the door to a first security or SOC role.
£25–£35k
Mid-level
Security Analyst
Security Analyst · SOC Analyst (Tier 2) · Vulnerability Analyst
CompTIA CySA+CEH
Investigating threats, analysing vulnerabilities and supporting incident response. CompTIA CySA+ (defensive analytics) or CEH (offensive understanding) are common at this level.
£35–£55k
Senior
Senior Security Analyst / Penetration Tester
Senior Analyst · Penetration Tester · Incident Responder
CompTIA PenTest+CompTIA SecurityX
Leading investigations, running penetration tests, or specialising in incident response and threat hunting. Advanced credentials like PenTest+ and SecurityX (CASP+) mark this level. Day rates for contractors are strong.
£55–£80k+
Leadership
Security Manager / CISO
Security Manager · Head of Security · CISO · GRC Lead
ISACA CISMISACA CISA
Owning security strategy, governance and risk for the organisation, and leading teams. Management credentials such as ISACA CISM and CISA are highly valued. These roles command the highest salaries in security.
£80k–£120k+

What employers look for

Key skills for security analysts

Security blends technical fundamentals, investigative instinct and clear communication. These are the skills that consistently appear in UK job descriptions.

Security fundamentals
  • Networking, operating systems and the cloud
  • Common attack types and how they work
  • Security controls and defence in depth
  • Identity, access and encryption basics
Monitoring & detection
  • Triaging and investigating alerts
  • Using SIEM and security tooling
  • Threat hunting and analysis
  • Vulnerability assessment
Incident response
  • Responding to incidents methodically
  • Containing and recovering from breaches
  • Preserving evidence and documenting
  • Communicating clearly under pressure
Risk & governance
  • Understanding risk and compliance
  • Security frameworks and standards
  • Communicating risk to the business
  • Building a security-aware culture

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

No. Employers prioritise recognised certifications and hands-on ability. CompTIA Security+ plus practical practice is the standard route into a first security role.
If you are brand new, the Cybersecurity for Beginners course builds the fundamentals first; then Security+ is the recognised entry certification. If you already work in IT, you can usually go straight to Security+.
Most analysts start defensive (blue team) — monitoring and responding — with CySA+. Offensive (red team) roles like penetration testing come later, via CEH and PenTest+. The roadmap above tailors the order to your focus.
Yes — it’s one of the most common routes. Your IT and networking knowledge is a strong foundation. Adding Security+ and then CySA+ positions you for SOC and analyst roles, and the field’s skills shortage works in your favour.

Start today

Ready to begin your cyber
security career?

Accredited courses with exams included. Study at your own pace with 12 months’ access, online and on any device.

Start with CompTIA Security+ Browse all security courses