Cyber Security CV—Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

Cyber Security CV—Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

You’re the last, best line of defence against the digital zombies banging at the gates. Show IT hiring managers you’ve got this, with a perfect cyber security CV sample.

Tom Gerencer
Tom Gerencer
Career Expert

According to the University of Maryland, hackers attack every 39 seconds, on average 2,244 times a day.

Before you can shut down the flood of cyber criminals out there trying to get in—

You need a cyber security CV that gets attention like a malware alert.

We’ve got you covered.

In this guide:

  • A cyber security CV sample better than most.
  • How to write a cyber security analyst CV that gets you past the firewall.
  • How to target your cyber security job description, so they hire you.
  • Why you can’t just list cyber security skills (and what to do instead).

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Cyber Security CV Sample You Can Copy and Adapt

Sam Herschel

Cyber Security Analyst

Personal Info

Phone: 708-261-1055

Email: samzherschel@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/samzherschel

twitter.com/samzherschel

instagram.com/samzherschel

Summary

Diligent cyber security analyst with 3+ years of experience securing systems and data. Seeking to deliver airtight information security at Cypherdyne Systems. Cut security risk 23% at S&V Inc. through automation, training, backups, firewalls, and physical controls.

Experience

Cyber Security Analyst

Secure & Validated Inc., Chicago, IL

2016–2019

  • Worked with development team to harden business firewall.
  • Planned, developed, and implemented a robust backup system for all vital company data, reducing data loss to zero.
  • Installed system of physical access controls including POLP, badges, laptop locks, password vaults, and biometrics to cut risk 20%.
  • Cut sniffing and spoofing attacks to zero by implementing scheduled updates for Wi-Fi software, firmware, and hardware.
  • Enforced regular password changes from all employees.

Key Achievement:

  • Slashed risk of cyber attacks by 23% by using automatic updates and training all 450+ employees in information security best practises.

Network Engineer

Webnominal, Inc.

2014–2016

  • Monitored and secured 30+ websites with 0 successful attacks.
  • Worked with clients to find best cost-effective ways to minimise security risk. Helped slash risks by an average of 30%.
  • Lowered malware threats by 40% with use of ad blockers, switching users to Google Chrome, and implementing automatic updates.

Education

BS in Network Engineering

DePaul University, Chicago, IL

2010–2014

  • Relevant Coursework: Cyber Crime, Ethical Hacking, Malware Analysis, Network Forensics, Database Security, Penetration Testing
  • Key Achievement: Completed senior project in Cyber Forensics that cut security risk of a working website by 75%.

Security Clearance

2018 — DoD National Security Clearance — Secret

Certifications

2019 — CISSP — Certified Information Systems Security Professional — (ISC)2

2020 — CISM — Certified Information Security Manager — ISACA

Hard Skills: risk analysis, malware analysis, intrusion detection, Python scripting, data analytics

Soft Skills: communication, teamwork, time management, attention to detail

Here’s how to write a cyber security CV that works:

1. Start With the Best Cyber Security CV Format

Trouble...

You used the wrong format for your CV. Now the IT hiring manager wonders what other corners you’ll cut.

Let’s wake you from that bad dream.

Appearance matters.

For a professional cyber security CV—

Use these tips:

Cyber Security CV Format

Expert Hint: According to a study by ISSA, 82% of employers complain about a cyber security skills shortage. If you’ve used IT security skills to help past organisations, show your stats off in your cybersecurity CV.

2. Make a Cyber Security CV Objective or Summary

Success!

The IT manager just called. She wants to hire you.

Your cyber security analyst CV dropped her jaw.

How did you do it?

You started with an impactful career objective or career summary. Go for the latter if you have plenty of experience.

Include:

  1. An adjective (diligent, organised)
  2. “Cyber security analyst” (or other title from the job description)
  3. Years of experience (2+, 7+)
  4. How/who you’ll help (deliver airtight information security at Cypherdyne Systems)
  5. Best information security CV achievements(Cut security risk 23%...)

See these cyber security CV examples:

Cyber Security CV Summary—Example

Good Example
Diligent cyber security analyst with 3+ years of experience securing systems and data. Seeking to deliver airtight information security at Cypherdyne Systems. Cut security risk 23% at S&V Inc. through automation, training, backups, firewalls, and physical controls.
Bad Example
Experienced cyber security analyst, skilled in risk analysis and malware detection. Adept at slashing security risks and using automation, physical controls, and firewalls. Can train employees in security best practises.

Analysis?

The second of those cyber security analyst CV samples promises to slash risks by using automation and other skills. But—

The first lists a 23% risk drop.

So which would you rather have? A promise? Or hard evidence?

“But I haven’t been in the cyber security field for long!”

No problem. Just look at these entry-level CV samples for cyber security jobs:

Entry-Level Cyber Security CV Objective

Good Example
Organised cyber security analyst skilled in monitoring and securing data. Seeking to strengthen security at S&V. Monitored and secured over 30 websites with zero breaches as network engineer at Webnominal. Slashed malware threats 40% with automated updates and other hardening techniques.
Bad Example
Entry-level cyber security analyst, highly skilled in monitoring and security data. Can reduce malware threats and handle automation of security updates. A team player and a good communicator who knows security back to front.

Let’s unpack those.

The second of those entry-level cyber security analyst CV examples with no experience claims malware reduction skills.

But—it doesn’t have that golden 40% drop.

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3. Fit Your Cyber Security Job Description and Skills Section to the Job

What cyber security skills work best in CVs?

See this CV skills list, packed with cybersecurity CV buzzwords:

Cyber Security CV Skills

Hard Skills

Soft Skills

Risk Analysis

Interpersonal Skills

Malware Analysis

Collaboration

Cloud Security

Communication

Automation

Time Management

Risk Mitigation

Efficiency

SIEM Tools

Problem Solving

Incident Response

Perception

Programming

Attention to Detail

Data Encryption

Accountability

Intrusion Detection

Analytical Skills

But don’t jump the gun.

If you shovel them all into a CV for cyber security jobs, you’ll look black-hat.

Customise your CV instead with CV keywords from the job ad.

These cyber security analyst CV samples show how:

If the job ad wants skills in backups, physical access controls, automatic updates, and training

Cyber Security Job Description for a CV [Sample]

Good Example

Experience

Cyber Security Analyst

Secure & Validated Inc., Chicago, IL

2016–2019

  • Planned, developed, and implemented a robust backup system for all vital company data, reducing data loss to zero.
  • Installed system of physical access controls including POLP, badges, laptop locks, password vaults, and biometrics to cut risk 20%.
  • Worked with development team to harden business firewall.

Key Achievement:

  • Slashed risk of cyber attacks by 23% by using automatic updates and training all 450+ employees in information security best practises.
Bad Example
  • Worked with developers to harden business firewall.
  • Planned and implemented an uncrackable protection system for all vital company data.
  • Implemented scheduled updates for Wi-Fi software, firmware, and hardware.
  • Enforced regular password changes from all employees.

See the difference?

The first of those cyber security CV examples has the perfect skills, plus eye-popping metrics.

The second might be good for some other cyber security job.

But—

What if your cyber security experience is still booting up?

An entry-level CV can use security accomplishments from other jobs. You can also use volunteering or freelance work.

See these junior cyber security analyst CV examples with no experience:

Say the job wants monitoring, working with clients, and lowering malware threats.

Entry-Level Cyber Security CV Job Description [Sample]

Good Example

Network Engineer

Webnominal, Inc.

2014–2019

  • Monitored and secured 30+ websites with 0 successful attacks.
  • Worked with clients to find best cost-effective ways to minimise security risk. Helped slash risks by an average of 30%.
  • Lowered malware threats by 40% with use of ad blockers, switching users to Google Chrome, and implementing automatic updates.
Bad Example

Team Member

Freddie’s Fish Foyer

2015–2019

  • Operated POS.
  • Provided excellent customer service.
  • Helped wash dishes during busy shifts.

Busted!

The second of those entry-level cyber security CV samples is a risk to your career.

Expert Hint: What’s the cybersecurity unemployment rate? It’s 0%, according to the Cybersecurity Business Report. So—you can definitely get a job. But to get a job you’ll love, take your time and customise your cyber security analyst CV to each position.

4. Harden Your Education Section

In a perfect world, that IT manager would hire you tomorrow.

Let’s make this a perfect world.

Your CV education section needs some hiring points.

Those are cyber security buzzwords from the job ad, in a couple bullet points.

Model this cyber security CV sample:

Cyber Security CV Example—Education

Good Example

Education

BS in Network Engineering

DePaul University, Chicago, IL

2010–2014

  • Relevant Coursework: Cyber Crime, Ethical Hacking, Malware Analysis, Network Forensics, Database Security, Penetration Testing
  • Key Achievement: Completed senior project in Cyber Forensics that cut security risk of a working website by 75%.

See that? You’ve just passed a risk assessment.

5. Add “Other” Sections to Your Cyber Security CV

The IT manager wants to know you didn’t just “do your job.”

She wants to know you actually like this stuff.

Try adding:

See these cyber security CV examples:

Cyber Security CV—Other Sections

Good Example

Security Clearance

2018 — DoD National Security Clearance — Secret

Certifications

2019 - CISSP — Certified Information Systems Security Professional — (ISC)2

2020 — CISM — Certified Information Security Manager — ISACA

Bad Example

Additional Activities

  • Skiing
  • Target practise

Big difference.

The second of those cyber security CV samples doesn’t instil confidence.

The clearance and certifications in the first show you can do the job.

Expert Hint: Make a cover letter for your CV for cyber security jobs. Talk more about the job’s needs than your own. Then explain how you’ll fulfil them.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a cyber security CV:

  • Begin with a good cyber security CV template. Include your finest information security moments.
  • Add cyber security skills like risk analysis or malware prevention. Put in some numbers to show your skills have impact.
  • Write a cyber security CV objective that rolls out your top few features.
  • Add “other” CV sections like an ISSA membership or CISM certification to show you live and breath data defence.

Got questions on how to write good CVs for cyber security jobs? Not sure how to put cyber security analyst on a CV? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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Tom Gerencer
Written byTom Gerencer
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Tom Gerencer is a career expert covering a wide range of job-related topics. He’s shared his insight for jobseekers at all career levels in over 200 articles, reaching over a million readers every month. His written pieces are based on meticulous research and feature insider tips from key industry experts.

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