Cybersecurity Analyst
Protect companies from hacking, fraud and data breaches — a fast-growing field since POPIA came into force.
What the job involves
- Monitor systems for attacks and suspicious activity.
- Investigate incidents and close security gaps.
- Help companies meet POPIA and industry security rules.
School subjects you need
Mathematics strongly preferred. Confirm the exact requirement with the institution you apply to.
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- English
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass for degrees; Diploma pass for IT diplomas
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 26–34
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 50–60%+ for degree routes
- English: 50%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- BSc Computer Science or IT diploma3 years
Followed by certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP or cloud security credentials.
- Learnership plus certification12–24 months
Several South African employers hire on certification and practical labs.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R28 000 – R45 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R55 000 – R90 000 per month
- Senior
- R100 000 – R160 000 per month
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Sol Plaatje UniversitySPU · Kimberley
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
- Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
- Vaal University of TechnologyVUT · Vanderbijlpark
- Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom
- Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT · Umlazi, Durban
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Uvikela izinkampani ekugetshengweni kwedatha. Kudinga i-IT nezitifiketi.
Afrikaans: Beskerm maatskappye teen kuberaanvalle. Sertifisering tel baie swaar.