Cyber Security Resume Example | Hacks to Write a Top-Notch Resume

Cyber Security Resume Example | Hacks to Write a Top-Notch Resume

The cyber security industry has grown over the years as we rely on the cyberspace world for most of our everyday activities. Professionals in this industry are getting more opportunities as companies and individuals work hard to keep their sensitive data safe.

Last update:

1/8/2024

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Cyber security Resume Example for Students and Junior Analysts

Charles Sanford
Junior Cyber Security Analyst
363-208-292
charlessanford@gmail.com
Atlanta, GA
linkedin.com/in/charlessanford

Professional summary

Highly committed Security Professional with a passion for database security and a proven ability in network forensics. Keen understanding of the requirements for vulnerability scanning with success in delivering long-term solutions.

Work experience

Expertise Ltd
Junior Cyber Security Specialist
May 2018-December 2019

Offered standby support for cyber security incident response in case of intrusion detection and implemented vulnerability assessment.
Worked in close coordination with the information security analyst and other stakeholders related to Cyber Security related matters to identify security vulnerabilities.
Dealt with client concerns related to project execution, the impact on production services and quality of deliverables.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
The George Washington University
2018

Skills

Malware analysis
Risk analysis
Risk mitigation
Data analytics
Cloud security
Teamwork
Time management
Critical thinking
Decision making

Additional sectionCertification

Certified Ethical Hacker(CEH)

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Most hiring managers look for talented individuals with advanced knowledge and skills to prevent security breaches. Polishing your cyber security resume is a great first step if you're looking for your next opportunity in this field.

You may have the talent, but if you're not able to present it on your resume, you might miss out on your dream job. Let's help you craft a resume that lands you an interview for a cyber security job.

Here are some of the topics we'll cover:

How to add experience to your cyber security analyst resume.
The sections you must have on your resume.
The best format and layout for your resume.
A cyber security resume example to act as a guide.

Cyber security Resume Example for Engineers and Consultants

Debra Brown
Cyber Security Specialist
273-008-398
debrabrown@gmail.com
Portland, WA
linkedin.com/in/debrabrown

Professional summary
IT Security Professional with a 10-year background in security solution development for high-availability environments. Adept at identifying potential security risks and penetration testing with a reputation for implementing strong risk management practices.

Work experience
Intercom Ltd
Cyber Security Engineer
June 2014-March 2018

Monitored application security projects such as quality and timely delivery, consolidated reports and compared multiple vulnerabilities and different automated tools.
Made a note of any breakthrough firewalls and other security applications, developed and implemented information security standards, guidelines, and procedures.
Suggested recommendations for security threats, created security policies and ensured they were implemented with support and mitigation during implementation.

Acronis Inc.
Cyber Security Analyst
January 2012-May 2014

Provided security during software systems, networks, and data centers' development stages.
Examined and evaluated security strategies and defenses and created new defensive systems and protocols.
Examined the defensive systems and security architecture and provided reports based on test results.

Education
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology
2011

Skills

Encryption
Cloud security
Automation/DevOps
Incident Response
Attention to detail
Communication skills
Problem-solving
Interpersonal skills
Analytical skills

Additional information

Certifications

Certified Information Systems Auditor(CISA)
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control(CRISC)

Salary & Employment Rates for cyber security Professionals

According to the U.S Bureau of Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 33 per cent from 2020 to 2030.

The industries with the highest levels of employment in Information Security Analysts include:

Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
Other Information Services
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services

The average salary for an Information Systems and Cyber Security professional is $110,000. The typical range is between $98,000 and $123,000, depending on your education, skills and experience.

How to Write a Neat Cyber Security Resume

Cyber security jobs have increased over time, but you still need an exceptional resume to get a position. With the right skills and cyber security experience, you can get an opportunity to propel you to the next level of your career.

But first, there are some factors you need to consider before you start writing your resume.

The layout, format and structure must be right. Check out our resume examples which will guide you as you write your resume.

Cyber Security Resume Layout, Format and Structure

The format depends on your qualifications. Here are three options you can choose from.

Reverse-chronological order focuses on experience. This format is suitable for candidates who have worked as cyber security professionals for many years.
The functional resume format focuses on skills. This format is suitable for recent graduates and career changers who don't have experience in the cyber security field.
The combination/hybrid resume format combines the best features of the reverse-chronological and functional resume formats. It can be used by candidates who have experience and skills.

The layout of your resume should be simple to read and understand. Fonts that are easy to read, like Calibri, Helvetica, Arial and Times New Roman, are best. Most recruiters recommend a font size of 10-12pt.

The structure of your Cyber security resume should have the following sections:

The header section
Professional summary/objective
Work experience
Education section
Skills section
An additional section (Computer skills and certifications, languages, awards/honors, and interests)

Other resume examples that might interest you include:

The Header & Contact Information

The resume header has the following details:

Your full name
Job title
Phone number
Professional email address
Location
A link to your LinkedIn profile.

Ensure that this information is accurate so that the recruiter can contact you.

A good header

CORRECT

Lynn Harris

Cyber Security Analyst

836-027-837

lynnharris@gmail.com

Merrimack, NH

linkedin.com/in/lynnharris

A bad header

INCORRECT

Lynn Harris

Cyber Security Analyst

836-027-837

lynnharris@gmail.com

3692 Grasselli Street

House number 23

Merrimack, NH

Date of birth 06/02/1988

linkedin.com/in/lynnharris

📌Avoid adding too many personal details in the header. Only include the information that the recruiter needs to contact you.

Photo or no photo?

A photo is not necessary to have on your resume unless the recruiter requires one. This is because it increases the chances of discrimination and unconscious bias.

Describe Your Experience in cyber security

The professional experience section is crucial. Most recruiters go directly to this section when they get your resume to see what you've previously done at your former jobs.

You need to ensure that it's well-structured and every area is clear. If you need to use a template, you can check out our resume templates.

The details you should have here include:

The name of the workplace
Your job title
The period you've worked at each place.

Remember to start with your most recent position going backwards. Also, add three to five responsibilities under each workplace and a figure or fact to quantify your achievements.

If you're writing an entry-level cyber security resume, you may not have a lot of relevant experience. You can add any other experience you have if you can highlight the transferable skills that will be useful for the position.

Example for Entry-Level Cyber Security Analysts

Millar Credit Services

Cyber Security Trainee

June 2015-March 2017

Participated in upgrading security measures for data protection which involved planning, implementing, managing, monitoring and securing the systems.
Ensured that data and infrastructure were protected by enabling the appropriate security controls using appropriate security software.
Supported the cyber security team in presentation and demonstration of value to prospective and existing clients.

Example for cyber security Engineers

Imperva Inc.

Cyber Security Engineer

July 2013-December 2018

Implemented the information security infrastructure and identified potential vulnerabilities that could lead to cyber-attacks.
Installed physical access controls that reduced the security risks by 25%.
Performed ethical hacking to determine which areas needed security to be upgraded to avoid future breaches.

Describe Your Education

Most cyber security jobs require a bachelor's degree in cyber security, computer science, information technology or cyber forensics. If you have a master's, you increase your chances of landing top executive positions in this field.

When listing your education, you'll add the name of the college/university, the degree/diploma and the year of completion/expected graduation date.

This section is also perfect for candidates who don't have experience. It allows them to give a detailed description of the specific courses that have prepared them for the position.

Correct example

Masters in Cyber Security

Arizona State University

2011

Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology

Murray State University

2009

Cyber Security Skills for Your Resume

Without the right skills on your resume, it may be impossible to get your dream job. Hiring managers use applicant tracking systems to filter resumes that don't meet the requirements. If you check the job description, you'll find some of the skills the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate. Always add these skills to your resume but only if you possess them and can prove it if the recruiter tests you on them.

Your resume should have the right blend of hard/technical skills and soft skills. Hard skills may require some training or teaching, while soft skills are the character traits that help you relate well with people.

Here are some of the skills you can consider for your cyber security resume.

Which cyber security Skills Are in The Highest Demand?

SIEM tools
Secure software development
Reverse engineering
Risk mitigation
Security analysis
Linux OS
Citrix
Programming
Encryption

What soft skills are needed in cyber security?

Time management
Interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Problem-solving skills
Teamwork
Analytical skills
Decision making
Critical thinking
Attention to detail

Cyber Security Resume Summary (And How to Write It)

A professional summary summarizes your top achievements, skills and experience. It also introduces your resume, so it has to be engaging to entice the recruiter into reading the rest of your resume.

CORRECT EXAMPLE

Hard-working, multilingual Cyber Security specialist with more than eight years of experience in cyber security. Proficient in intrusion detection and penetration testing, which reduced security threats by 30%. Looking for a cyber security analyst role at Arcade Ltd to share my skills and advance in my career. Highly committed to providing the best customer service.

💡The example above shows the candidate's experience and mentions an achievement that will get the hiring manager's attention.

INCORRECT EXAMPLE

Highly skilled Cyber security professional with experience in detecting and preventing cyber-attacks.

💡The example above is too vague and doesn't detail the stand out achievements that make the candidate the best person for the job.

Professional Objective

A professional/resume objective is a short paragraph that highlights a candidate's career goals and how they align with the company goals. It also expresses the candidate's interest in the position. Recent graduates and career changers can use it instead of a resume summary.

CORRECT EXAMPLE

Recent cyber security graduate eager to learn and grow in a dynamic environment. Deep and broad skill set in this field, with high proficiency in information security and malware analysis. Effective team player and problem solver. Strong desire to advance within a well-established enterprise technology organization like NextEnd Co.

💡The example above does a great job of highlighting the candidate's skills and career goals while expressing interest in the position.

Additional Sections for Your Cyber Security Resume

Every job seeker wants to stand out and get the position over the competitor. You can set yourself apart from the other job seekers by highlighting your extra qualifications in this section.

It's so easy for the recruiter to miss a skill if it's in the skills section, but if you add it in this section, there is a high chance they'll see it.

Here are some of the qualifications you can add to this section.

Certifications

Certifications are a major plus on your resume. The last thing you want to do is add them under the education section, as seen in multiple cyber security resume examples and risk the hiring manager missing them. It's always better to have a separate section for them. Some of the certifications you can add to your resume include:

Offensive Security Certified Professional(OSCP)
Certified Information Systems Security(CISS)
SANS GIAC Security Essentials
Certified Information Security Manager(CISM)

Languages

A multilingual candidate always stands out, but you need to ensure that the recruiter does not miss the language skills on your resume. Add a separate section for them and use the official language reference as follows:

Delf or Dalf for French
TOEFL or IELTS for English
SIELE for Spanish
Goethe Zertifikat, TestDaF, or DSH for German

Interests

The interests can help you beat your competitors if they align with the company culture. Therefore it's important to research the company and consider its culture and the position you're applying for before adding the interests.

Tips to Improve Your Cyber Security Resume

Always check the job description for keywords and action verbs to help your resume get past the ATS systems.
Create a new resume for each position you're applying for, and avoid using one resume for multiple jobs.
Choose a resume format that best represents your qualifications.
Highlight your relevant experience in the work experience section.
The resume layout should be simple to understand.
Your resume should be one page long.

Summary: Making an Outstanding Resume for cyber security

Summarize your resume using a summary/objective and make it catchy and engaging.
Keep the header short and ensure the details are correct.
Use easy-to-read fonts on your cyber security resume.
Ensure the structure of your resume is correct and has all the vital sections.
Add a fact or figure to quantify your achievements as you list your duties and responsibilities.
List your skills using bullet points to make them easy to spot. This also makes them easy to scan on the ATS systems.
A resume objective is perfect for recent graduates and career changers who don't have professional experience and achievements to add to the resume summary.

Complement Your resume with a Cover letter

A cover letter complements your resume by giving more details on your qualifications. Unless a recruiter asks you not to send one, you should always accompany your resume with a cover letter. It lets your personality and writing skills shine, as you further describe your achievements. Check out our cover letter examples.