OVERVIEW
What Is a Malware Analyst?
A malware analyst identifies and anticipates adversarial attacks and installations to protect data and software systems from exploitation by competitors and maliciously motivated hackers. When a malware analyst cites a security event, they use all available information to understand the nature, degree, and impact of the attack event to advise on the minimization of negative consequences on system integrity.
Malware analysts typically work as part of a team of information security analysts while providing expertise to key stakeholders and decision makers to change responses to malware incidents within business, government, and health systems.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Malware Analyst Do?
No two workdays are the same for malware analysts, since malware can be complex, nuanced, and difficult to identify and fix. Some of an analyst’s duties include:
- Analyzing existing systems. Malware can be present on any computer. Often, malware analysts examine the current state of a computer to ensure safety. They perform full-scale assessments and execute tests to determine the existence of hidden malicious software functioning within and beneath existing security protocols.
- Documentation. Malware analysts document their analysis. This can include identifying malicious lines of code and reporting them to the organization's security team and stakeholders so they can eliminate current threats and take preventative safety measures.
- Creating a defense strategy. After analyzing and documenting any malware, analysts often reverse engineer harmful issues to identify a plan and build a comprehensive defensive strategy.
- Monitoring. A malware analyst monitors systems for security events and malware incidents on a continual basis to support the integrity of high-stakes information.
- Communication and coordination. Malware analysts coordinate with teams, administrators, and users to limit the extent of exposure to malicious program attacks.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Malware Analyst?
Malware analysts possess a high level of technical expertise, so education is key. Many malware analysts pursue degrees in cybersecurity with a discipline in either information assurance or network engineering and security. Generally, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement to become a malware analyst. That said, earning a master’s can set you apart. Here are the recommended steps:
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.
- Consider a master's degree in cybersecurity.
- Gain two years of work experience in information technology and cybersecurity.
- Consider certifications in cyber security for advanced roles and a greater salary. WGU IT degrees come with several industry certifications included from authorities like Cisco, CompTIA, and AWS.
Best Degrees for a Malware Analyst
Technology
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S.
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree....
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree.
- Time: 60% of graduates finish within 29 months.
- Tuition: $4,265 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 34 total courses in this program.
Certifications included in this program at no extra cost include:
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
- ITIL® Foundation Certification
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+)
- CompTIA IT Operations Specialist
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional
- CompTIA Network Security Professional
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Project+
- CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Security Analytics Professional
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Secure Systems Analysis & Design
- Data Management
- Web and Cloud Security
- Hacking Countermeasures and Techniques
- Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Technology
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – M.S.
Become the authority on keeping infrastructures and information safe....
Become the authority on keeping infrastructures and information safe.
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 18 months.
- Tuition: $4,555 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 9 total courses in this program.
Certifications in this program at no additional cost include:
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) Optional Voucher
- ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Optional Voucher
- (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Cybersecurity Strategy
- Information Assurance
- Incident Response
- Penetration Testing
The curriculum is closely aligned with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Workforce Framework. The program was designed in collaboration with national intelligence organizations and IT industry leaders, ensuring you'll learn emerging technologies and best practices in security governance.
How Much Does a Malware Analyst Make?
$112,000
The median salary for “Malware Analysts” and “Information Security Analysts” is $112,000.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
35%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 35% growth from 2021 to 2031, resulting in 56,500 new jobs in that decade.
SKILLS
What Skills Do Malware Analysts Need?
Malware analysts must be technically skilled, analytically minded, and expert in their communication. They should have:
- Programming experience. A knowledge of key languages like C, C++, PHP, Perl, and more is paramount.
- An understanding of IT networks. Malware analysts need to know how networks run. They should be familiar with IT network features and functions as well as cyber threat and attack profiles.
- Deep knowledge of security functions. A malware analyst should know how cybersecurity systems work and be well-acquainted with the associated features within custom operating systems.
- Analytical thinking skills. Often, multiple sources must be analyzed in order to detect threats. A skilled analyst must think analytically through complex processes.
- Investigative prowess. A successful malware analyst is a great detective. They observe traces of attacks and threats and follow certain clues as they analyze data security events. They must be adept at identifying malware events and attacks operating within systems.
- A detail-oriented mind. Malware analysts should be able to examine even the smallest details of an organization’s devices and systems, because that is often where the biggest dangers lie in wait.
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