4 Cyber Security Resume Examples (with Writing Tips)
Written By Samuel Johns
Reviewed By Geoffrey ScottNo matter your level of experience as a cyber security specialist, we have writing tips and four cyber security resume examples to show you how to craft your job-winning application.
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Cyber Security Resume Template (Text Format)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Calendar Management
- Data Entry
- Document Preparation
- Travel Coordination
- Database Management (CRM tools)
- Financial Reporting and Budgeting
- Office Equipment Management
- Develop and implement effective cyber security plans to maintain the security of computer files against unauthorized modification, destruction, and disclosure
- Encrypt data transmissions and erect firewalls to conceal confidential information during transmission and keep out tainted digital transfers
- Recognize 250+ new viruses and malware while safeguarding and observing more than 60+ websites without any major attacks
- Slash security risks by 20% through installation of physical access controls
- Employ automatic updates and mentor 375 employees on cyber security best practices, which reduced risk of attacks by 27%
- Provided information security and threat management for $13.6 billion banking institution with 150+ financial centers, mortgage centers, and 3000+ employees
- Implemented multilayer security system for the institution, including enhanced anti-virus, anti-spam, and anti-spyware software, which reduced malware risk by 40%
- Applied and managed advanced patch management system for 2500+ desktop computers/workstations and 300+ file servers
- Regulated access to safeguard information in files by monitoring the use of data files
- Conducted security assessments of institution’s site containing 50,000+ users
- MS Office; MS Outlook; Symantec Backup Exec; HBSS; McAfee; BMC Remedy; DAR; Guardian Edge, Symantec Endpoint Protection, Microsoft Office 365
- MS Server (NT/2000/2003/2008, 2012/2016); MS Exchange; Net View Web Console
Irrespective of your experience level, we have cyber security resume examples to fit your situation.
Entry-level cyber security resume (no experience)
If you’re starting out on a career in cyber security with absolutely no experience, you’ll need a resume like this one:
Entry-level cyber security resume highlights
- Relevant coursework: Since this candidate has no formal work experience, they list relevant coursework and projects instead to show that they understand the theory well enough to secure a first job in cyber security.
- Strong objective: In just two sentences, this candidate outlines their career goals and why they’d be a good hire.
If you’re unsure how to write your objective, use an online resume summary generator to generate one for you.
Entry-level cyber security resume (internship)
You may have done some cybersecurity-related internships, in which case present your previous experience like so:
Entry-level cyber security resume highlights
- Quantified accomplishments: Although the candidate who wrote this entry-level cyber security resume hasn’t held a full-time, permanent role in cyber security, they add numbers to their bullet points to show employers what they’re capable of. For example, they conducted more than 15 incident response investigations during a prior internship.
- Diverse experience: As well as holding down a cyber security internship, this candidate completed a more general IT internship which shows they have a diverse skill set. The fact they’ve completed two internships also shows they’re motivated to follow this career path.
Senior cyber security resume
If you’ve been in the cyber security field for many years, present your experience the right way with a resume like this one:
Senior cybersecurity resume highlights
- Company descriptions: Adding a short (one sentence) description of the companies you’ve worked for helps contextualize your role for hiring managers and enables them to see if you’d be able to handle the responsibilities that come with the advertised position.
- Career progression: An easy way to show hiring managers that you’ve progressed up the career ladder is by highlighting your changing job titles. For example, this candidate made their way up from an analyst to a manager and then to a senior consultant.
Average cyber security salaries in the US
The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data is presented based on the top states in the USA.
Average cyber security analyst annual salaries by state
State Salary / Year
Texas $115,040
New York $129,790
Georgia $117,360
California $135,250
Florida $104,110
Pennsylvania $110,290
Illinois $116,800
Ohio $106,460
North Carolina $125,930
Michigan $103,580
National Average $110,483
How to write a cyber security resume
Writing a cybersecurity resume to pair with your cybersecurity cover letter is straightforward if you follow our tips (and look at the examples above for ideas). Let’s get started:
1. Include cybersecurity skills and keywords
Cybersecurity involves a great number of technical skills, so you should add as many of them to your resume as you can.
First, look at the job description and identify the technical skills and other keywords it lists. Then, add any of them that you’ve mastered to your resume’s skill section. Finally, back up your claims by highlighting achievements made using those skills in your work history section.
These are the top 5 skills to include on a cyber security resume according to cybersecurity practitioner and YouTuber Sandra Liu:
And here are the most in-demand keywords for cyber security professionals that we grabbed from real job descriptions:
We analyzed 1411 real cyber security job ads to find the top keywords to add to your resume.
Data
| Keyword | Count |
|---|---|
| Information security | 892 |
| Vulnerability management | 611 |
| Computer science | 608 |
| Analytical skills | 588 |
| Network security operations | 559 |
| Risk management | 468 |
| Incident response | 460 |
| Communication skills | 384 |
| Knowledge of best practices | 380 |
| CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) | 379 |
2. Write an effective resume summary
Your resume summary is the first thing hiring managers will notice on your resume, so it should make them want to keep reading your resume.
It should sum up your experience, skills, and qualifications.
Here’s an example of an effective resume summary for a cyber security resume:
Dedicated Cybersecurity Professional with 10+ years’ experience in network security, incident response, and regulatory compliance. Proven leader adept at analyzing complex challenges, developing strategic plans, and executing proactive measures to mitigate risks. Skilled communicator with a track record of translating technical concepts into actionable insights for stakeholders. Ready to leverage extensive experience to safeguard digital assets and ensure operational resilience.
3. Summarize your educational background
To effectively step into a cybersecurity role, you need to have completed the right program in college —and hiring managers will be looking for that information so make sure it’s prominently displayed on your resume.
Here’s an example of a good education section on a cybersecurity resume:
BS CYBERSECURITY
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Concentration: Offensive Cybersecurity
Graduated: May 20XX
Relevant Coursework:
- Offensive Security Techniques
- Penetration Testing
- Ethical Hacking
- Exploit Development
- Malware Analysis
4. Quantify your impact as a cybersecurity professional
Quantifying your resume achievements for your prior cybersecurity roles is a great technique for showing employers that you’ve had a demonstrable impact as a specialist.
Therefore, try adding as many numbers — including percentages — as you can to your cybersecurity resume work history bullets to show that you’re a high-achiever.
Here are five examples of quantified bullet points on a cybersecurity resume (we’ve bolded the numbers):
Quantified bullet points for a cybersecurity resume
- Conducted 50+ comprehensive security assessments of critical infrastructure, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending mitigation strategies to enhance national security
- Implemented and managed a classified cybersecurity framework, reducing security incidents by 40% within the first year of deployment
- Led a team of 10 analysts in analyzing over 1000 cyber threats annually, resulting in a 30% increase in threat detection accuracy
- Developed and delivered cybersecurity training sessions for 200+ personnel, increasing awareness and compliance with security protocols by 47%
- Collaborated with 7 other Intelligence Community agencies to investigate and mitigate cyber attacks, resulting in the prevention of unauthorized access to sensitive information and assets
Additionally, make sure you use a resume format that effectively emphasizes your achievements.
Resume examples for different industries
Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.
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4 Cyber Security Resume Examples (with Writing Tips)
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