Cybersecurity skills: what they are and how to show them
Cybersecurity skills protect systems and data from attack and misuse. O*NET lists reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, speaking and writing as top skills for information security analysts, with technology skills that include access management, authentication software and Docker.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Skill | Cybersecurity |
| Source of the occupation data | O*NET OnLine (US Department of Labor), accessed 31 October 2026 |
| Occupations in this guide that list it | 3 |
| Where to learn more | Our career guides and the O*NET pages linked below |
What is Cybersecurity?
Roles differ widely. Show the area: monitoring, access control, vulnerability work, policy or incident response, and the tools used.
Which jobs use it?
The occupation pages on O*NET OnLine list technology skills and top essential skills. These occupations from our career guides include this skill or closely related ones:
- Information Security Analysts (O*NET 15-1212.00): access management and authentication software, Docker, GitHub and Red Hat OpenShift.
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators (O*NET 15-1244.00): firewall, network intrusion detection and VPN software.
- Computer User Support Specialists (O*NET 15-1232.00): firewall, encryption and virus scanning software.
O*NET examples are illustrative, not a requirement for every employer. Read the postings for the role you want.
How do I show it on a resume?
- Name the area and tools.
- Describe a defensive task and its outcome, without sensitive detail.
- Name certifications you hold exactly.
- Do not claim hands-on work you only read about.
See the software engineer resume example for layout, and our guide to an ATS-friendly resume.
On LiveRec, employers who find candidates for a job see up to five of your skills on your card, with the ones that match the job first. Use the exact name of the skill, as in which skills to put on a profile.
Where can I learn it?
We link only official sources we could verify. The O*NET Skills Search shows skills and examples, and each career guide above explains typical education from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ask your employer or school what training it offers, then add what you complete to your profile.
Frequently asked questions
What are top skills for security analysts? O*NET lists reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, speaking and writing.
Do support jobs lead to security? Overlapping tools such as firewall and encryption software appear in both.
How do I show practice work? Label it as a lab or course project.
Related guides
When you are ready, search jobs on LiveRec.
Sources
- O*NET OnLine, Information Security Analysts, 15-1212.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1212.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, 15-1244.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1244.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Computer User Support Specialists, 15-1232.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1232.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Skills Search: https://www.onetonline.org/skills/ (accessed 31 October 2026)