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Edition #31 – The Career Compass

Welcome back to another edition of The Career Compass! This week, we’re unpacking the hidden skills that make cybersecurity professionals stand out, spotlighting the role of a Cybersecurity Analyst and allowing you to move your career forward with coaching support. Let’s dive in!

Cyber Career Spotlight: Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts are on the front lines of cyber defence. They serve as the first responders to cyber threats, continuously monitoring systems and networks for signs of compromise. Their role is critical in identifying, investigating, and mitigating threats before they escalate into full-blown incidents.

🔹 What They Do:

• Monitor systems for suspicious or malicious activity using dashboards, alerts, and threat intelligence feeds.

• Analyse incidents such as malware infections, unauthorised access, or data breaches to determine root causes and impacts.

• Conduct vulnerability assessments using automated tools and manual testing to find and address weaknesses in the system.

• Develop security reports and maintain documentation to support compliance and internal audits.

• Collaborate with IT teams to implement security solutions and enforce best practices.

Cybersecurity Analysts also play an advisory role, recommending security enhancements, conducting tabletop exercises, and helping improve the organisation’s incident response plan.

🔹 Key Skills:

• Proficiency with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools like Splunk, IBM QRadar, or ArcSight.

• Understanding of endpoint protection, firewalls, antivirus programs, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS).

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to investigate complex incidents.

• Familiarity with common frameworks and methodologies such as MITRE ATT&CK, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and ISO/IEC 27001.

• Communication skills for writing reports and presenting findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

🔹 Career Path:

• Entry-Level: Junior Analyst, SOC Analyst, Security Technician

• Mid-Level: Cybersecurity Analyst, Threat Analyst, Detection Engineer

• Advanced: Senior Security Analyst, Cybersecurity Consultant, Incident Response Lead

From here, professionals often transition into specialized areas such as threat intelligence, digital forensics, or red teaming—or move into leadership roles like Security Manager or CISO.

🔹 Salary Range:

Depending on location, certifications, and experience, salaries generally range from $70,000 to $120,000+. Analysts in major metropolitan areas or those with specialised knowledge (e.g., cloud security or threat hunting) can earn well above this range.

If you're detail-oriented, analytical, and passionate about stopping cybercrime, the role of a Cybersecurity Analyst offers a dynamic and rewarding career path with long-term growth potential.

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News & Trends

🤖 AI & Cybersecurity Integration is Accelerating

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming an indispensable component in cybersecurity operations. From next-generation firewalls to intelligent endpoint protection and behaviour analytics, AI is helping organisations detect threats faster and more accurately than ever before. Security Operation Centers (SOCs) are leveraging machine learning models to sift through vast volumes of data in real-time, identifying patterns that may indicate a breach or attack vector.

In 2025, expect AI to become even more involved in predictive threat modelling, anomaly detection, and autonomous response systems that can take immediate action without waiting on human intervention. However, this rise also brings challenges—security teams must now learn how to audit, validate, and govern the decisions made by AI.

🚨 GitHub Supply Chain Incident Raises Concerns

The recent GitHub Action supply chain attack involving SpotBugs has raised alarms about the growing threat of vulnerabilities in CI/CD pipelines. Attackers exploited misconfigurations in GitHub workflows to steal Personal Access Tokens (PATs), allowing them to tamper with or infiltrate downstream software projects.

This breach underscores how critical it is for developers and DevSecOps teams to:

• Regularly audit permissions granted to automated workflows

• Use environment segregation and access controls

• Enable monitoring and alerting for unexpected changes in repositories

As supply chain threats grow in frequency and sophistication, this incident serves as a wake-up call to secure the entire development lifecycle—not just the final product.

🌍 Demand for Soft Skills Surges

While technical certifications and tools remain important, many employers are now placing greater emphasis on soft skills when evaluating cybersecurity talent. This includes:

• Adaptability: The ability to learn quickly and pivot in response to emerging threats or changing business needs.

• Emotional Intelligence: Crucial for team collaboration, managing stress during incidents, and understanding the human element in cyber risk.

• Communication: Professionals who can clearly explain risks, security concepts, or incident impacts to non-technical stakeholders are highly valued.

Cybersecurity is no longer a siloed function—it intersects with every part of a business. The rise of cross-functional collaboration means professionals who can bridge technical knowledge with strategic thinking will continue to be in high demand.

Career Coaching: Let’s Get You Unstuck

Over the years, I’ve had so many conversations with people who felt stuck.

Stuck in a job they’ve outgrown. Stuck trying to change careers but not knowing where to start. Stuck getting interviews but never landing the role.

And I get it. I’ve been there, too — making a big career change myself wasn’t easy.

That’s one of the reasons why I started offering career coaching.

Not because I have all the answers, but because after 14 years of recruitment experience, I’ve seen what works — and more importantly, I’ve seen the potential people don’t always see in themselves.

If you’re going through a transition or just need someone to help clarify your thoughts, feel confident, and move forward purposefully, I’m here to help.

Feel free to reach out if you want to chat. I’d love to have an exploratory call to see if I can help in any way.

Video of the Week: The Hidden Cybersecurity Skills Employers Are Desperate For

Are you focusing only on technical skills to land a cybersecurity job? You might be missing the real game-changers.

In this video, I reveal the hidden cybersecurity skills employers are actually looking for in 2025—and they’re not what you think.

From communication and emotional intelligence to cloud security and strategic thinking, these are the often overlooked skills that can give you a serious edge in the job market.

As a recruiter with 14+ years of experience, I’ll share real-world insights into what separates average applicants from the ones who get hired.

👉 Watch it now and give yourself the edge that others are overlooking.

Paid Tiers – Upgrade for Exclusive Content

Looking to take your career development even further? Join The Career Compass Premium community today!

🎯 For just $5 USD/month, you can join our Career Starter Tier, which includes:

• Access to the Meta Dynamics Mini Profile

• A 45-minute personalised coaching unpack session

• Monthly Career Q&A Digest with top community insights

• Monthly deep dive article/guide

👉 Sign up here and get exclusive tools and support to guide your next move.

Challenge of the Week

Take 20 minutes this week to do a skills gap analysis:

• Write down the role you want to be in 6-12 months from now

• Research 3 job listings for that role

• Identify 2–3 skills or certifications you’re missing

• Choose ONE of them and start taking action — whether it’s watching a video, signing up for a course, or scheduling time to practice.

Let’s move from stuck to strategic!

Thank you for being part of The Career Compass community. Stay inspired, proactive, and committed to your professional journey—and as always, keep levelling up your career. I’ll see you in the next edition!

Best Wishes,

Luke Gough
Career Coach / Founder of The Career Compass

P.S. Remember to share The Career Compass with your network, and let’s work together to empower more careers!