How to Become a Incident Response Analyst

A incident response analyst is a professional who protects computer systems and networks from information disclosure, theft, and damage to hardware, software, or data. With 175,350 jobs nationwide, this is a growing occupation with strong career prospects.

The path to becoming a incident response analyst typically requires Dedicated cybersecurity degree covering technical and policy aspects.. To explore cybersecurity programs, see our comprehensive rankings.

Incident Response Analysts perform a wide range of duties depending on their work setting and specialization. Core responsibilities include:

• Monitor systems for security breaches and investigate violations
• Install and maintain security software and firewalls
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing
• Develop security policies and procedures
• Respond to and remediate security incidents
• Train employees on security awareness

The incident response analyst career path offers diverse opportunities for advancement. Most professionals start in entry-level roles before advancing to senior positions or specializing.

• Junior Analyst (Entry Level): Security monitoring and incident response. Salary: $84,252-$102,306.
• Incident Response Analyst (2-4 years): Independent security analysis. Median salary: $120,360.
• Senior Incident Response Analyst (5-7 years): Leading security initiatives. Salary: $144,432-$168,504.
• Security Architect (8+ years): Security strategy and architecture. Salary: $168,504-$192,576.
• CISO (10+ years): Executive security leadership. Salary: $216,648+.

Incident Response Analyst employment is projected to grow 32% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average. About 16,800 job openings are expected each year.

Strong demand is driven by increasing cyber threats, data privacy regulations, and the need to protect digital infrastructure. Professionals with advanced certifications and specialized skills will have the strongest job prospects.