As the threat landscape for cyberattacks grows, businesses must prioritize hiring Security Operations Center Analysts, also known as SOC Analysts, to prevent and mitigate them. SOC Analysts are highly trained experts who thoroughly understand SOC processes, techniques, and technology. They assist in identifying and mitigating cyber threats while also ensuring data security and privacy. This article will explore the skills needed to become a SOC Analyst and their responsibilities.
Key Skills of a SOC Analyst
- Strong fundamental skills: A thorough knowledge of network protocols, systems, and IT infrastructure is required of a SOC Analyst. SOC Analysts must be able to learn on the fly and adapt swiftly to changing threat scenarios. The majority of them must be able to think critically.
- Programming skills: For cybersecurity experts, coding and programming abilities are essential. SOC Analysts frequently collaborate with cybersecurity engineers and specialists. They should have a strong understanding of JavaScript, C++, and Python.
- Ethical hacking Skills: Pen testing is a necessary skill for assessing the security of systems, online applications, and networks, as well as reporting irregularities. To detect, identify, and mitigate threats in a range of cyber-attacks around the world, SOC Analysts must demonstrate ethical hacking and pen testing expertise.
- Communication and collaboration: SOC Analysts must communicate with all team members simply and effectively. Empathy, emotional intelligence, and motivation are all desirable qualities in a SOC Analyst. They should be able to effectively manage IOC alerts and incident defense tools for security breaches.
- Incident handling and documentation: SOC Analysts document incidents, data breaches, and malicious activity. SOC Analysts must also be able to create and manage proper data backup and recovery procedures.
Responsibilities of a SOC Analyst:
- Set up and administer security software and tools: The SOC Analysts should have access to a set of technology tools that provide insight into the company's security environment.
- Investigate, contain, and prevent suspicious activities: SOC Analysts investigate suspicious activities in IT systems and networks. They triage warnings, determine the scope of the threat, and respond accordingly. SOC Analysts can discover infected hosts and prevent them from infecting the rest of the network if a network system is compromised.
- Support for auditing and compliance: SOC Analysts are in charge of auditing systems to ensure that they comply with government, business, and industry laws. Modern SOC Analysts use systems like the SIEM, which collects security data throughout the company.
- Ensure business continuity by reducing downtime: Businesses must ensure that their network and systems are up and running with little or no downtime. SOC Analysts are in charge of notifying appropriate business stakeholders in the case of a breach. If feasible, risks are reduced before they reach critical business infrastructure.
- Assisting the rest of the business with security: SOC Analysts are multi-functional organizations that bring together operations from many departments. They should ideally serve as shared service centers that benefit corporate stakeholders.
Final words
InfosecTrain's SOC Analyst training course provides a comprehensive understanding of SOC operations and procedures, and subject matter experts rigorously craft it. It will provide an excellent opportunity to improve your handling and respond to security threats to mitigate business risks.
