As an expert in cyber security, you hold a vital role in safeguarding digital landscapes. You excel in staying ahead of emerging cyber threats, mastering coding languages, and developing risk mitigation strategies.
From monitoring network activities to running security assessments, your daily responsibilities are diverse and impactful. However, describing your long list of tasks might feel tricky when writing your cyber security resume and complementary cover letter.
No need to worry, though—we’ve made it simple. Use our cyber security cover letter examples and free cover letter builder to learn what recruiters want to see in a future employee.
Why this cover letter works
- Don’t just write a cyber security cover letter that ticks the checkboxes. Sweep the recruiter off their feet and set a positive tone for the rest of your masterpiece with a personal story that sparked your interest in this field.
- Such an approach doesn’t just provide a captivating sneak peek into your life and motivations, thus creating an emotional connection with the hiring manager. It can subtly spotlight your soft skills like resilience and adaptability—qualities you might not directly express in the later sections.
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Why this cover letter works
- Sometimes, stepping outside the norm is when the magic happens. It could be as simple as weaving in an industry-relevant industry statistic, just as Adrian’s cyber security analyst cover letter gives the reader an insight into the percentage of local businesses that fall prey to cyber-attacks.
- Statistics indicate your ability to turn data into a relevant story. More importantly, it shows you understand the industry’s trajectory and the opportunities that lay in wait.
Cyber Security Internship Cover Letter Example
USE THIS TEMPLATE
Why this cover letter works
- A compelling cyber security internship cover letter demands more than a burning passion for the industry and the desire to learn. School projects come in handy here.
- Perhaps you identified potential vulnerabilities in your college’s database or implemented a foolproof encryption method for sensitive information. Whichever the case, don’t just point out the specifics of how you applied theory in a real-world scenario. Weave in numbers (cue 1,143 packets) to show the scale of your competence.
Related cover letter examples
How to Write a Pro Cyber Security Cover Letter
As a cyber security analyst, your keen attention to detail is one of your greatest assets—after all, it prevents breaches and keeps digital assets safe. Because this is difficult to convey in a resume, you should use the cover letter as an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise. So, how can you achieve this in a concise letter?
Your best bet is to read the job listing and ensure that you add elements of it to your cover letter. As an example, if the role requires proficiency in specific security software, mention those exact programs. Tailoring your cyber security cover letter to the job will give you a competitive edge in the hiring process.
Getting the intro right
To create an engaging opening when creating a cover letter as a cyber security analyst, start with a personalized greeting whenever possible. Research the company so you can address the hiring manager by name. If you absolutely can’t find out the name of the recipient, you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Company] Team.”
Now, let’s dive into the opening paragraph. Captivate your reader by expressing your genuine interest in the role and the company right off the bat.
Show why you’re an ideal fit by highlighting relevant job skills and work experiences that are as explicitly connected to the role as possible. For instance, you can mention your passion for ensuring data security and your extensive knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks.
The example below shows how not to do things. It falls short because it doesn’t convey your enthusiasm for the role or explain why you’re a strong candidate.
Needs more passion!
I just finished a 3-week cyber security course, so I would like a job where I can start earning money.
On the other hand, this next example is full of passion for the job and sneaks in both educational qualifications and company research. No hiring manager would stop reading after this intro!
Nailed it!
With a hunger for learning about cybersecurity that was ignited in the classrooms of Tidewater Community College, Valkyrie Enterprises’ commitment to fostering a culture of knowledge and growth provides the perfect foundation for my journey. As a cyber security intern, I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the team’s mission while immersing myself in learning.
Writing engaging body paragraphs
In this part of your cover letter, your aim is to build on the engaging opening and delve into your professional experiences.
Successfully implementing robust safety measures, responding to and mitigating security incidents, or architecting secure network infrastructures are all types of things you can discuss here.
Another thing to remember is to always back up your accomplishments with quantifiable metrics, like how you reduced security incidents by a certain percentage, improved response times, or enhanced the overall security posture of the company.
Lastly, remember—always tailor your accomplishments to the job description.
Body paragraph done right!
I implemented network security monitoring at Mercury Development using top-tier tools like Wireshark and Suricata. My initiatives improved threat detection rates by 26%, reinforcing our digital environment’s safety and reliability.
Signing off with style
When you sign off your cover letter, your goal is to reinforce your enthusiasm for the company and reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
For example, if the organization emphasizes a commitment to cutting-edge security solutions, you can express your enthusiasm for the latest tech and your continuous learning mindset.
While it’s natural to want the job because of the benefits it will bring you, don’t forget to emphasize the value you’ll bring to the company. Mention how your experience and skills will benefit the organization directly by strengthening defenses against cyber threats.
This example is exactly what you shouldn’t do. Employers want to see a love for the job and the industry as a whole.
Nope…
I look forward to hearing from you and discussing my compensation package.
If you want to do it right, just look at the next example. It conveys passion for the industry, role, and the company. Any hiring manager would be impressed.
Total success!
In applying to Red Hat, I’m not only eager to raise the bar for cyber security standards but also thrilled at the prospect of securing a pivotal enterprise that powers the computational needs of so many organizations on a global scale. Thank you for considering my application. I await the chance to demonstrate how my cybersecurity expertise can fortify Red Hat’s digital landscape.
Cyber Security Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
- Cover letter lacks active verbs
- When disaster strikes, you’re on it! . . . Or at least, you’re supposed to be. Demonstrate your readiness to mitigate disasters (and keep a proactive eye on the digital side of things in the meantime) with deliberate choices in your wording throughout your cyber security cover letter. Refer to the job description that first caught your eye, and see if you can find keywords that you can transform into active contextual verbs for your paragraph points.
- Exhibiting a poor balance of industry jargon
- The hiring manager or recruiter reading your cover letter probably already knows some of the programs and software tools they need their new hire to work with! Nevertheless, you’ll still want to reference any tools you use, like Cryptool or Metasploit, specifically by name. On the flip side, don’t go too wild here: If your cover letter would feel like it was written in a different language to people outside cyber security, dial it back!
- Content is poorly organized
- Attention to detail strikes again! Alongside talking specifically about your skills when they reinforce qualifications in your body paragraphs, organization strongly affects the impression you make in your cover letter. When you work in cyber security, you have to be strategic and balanced in your use of firewall and testing tools and user access . . . And if your cover letter doesn’t flow, it won’t accurately reflect how comprehensive and well-rounded your expertise is.
- Cover letter doesn’t give quantifiable examples
- In your field, the people you work with need rock-solid metrics for how effective your work is! Employers and clients want to see measurements of your work and sigh with relief—and recruiters want to be impressed! Numbers also jump off your cover letter page immediately, highlighting the hard facts about your qualifications. Threat reduction rates, security improvements, and dollars saved thanks to your disaster mitigation strategies all make good, quantifiable examples of what makes you such a good fit.
Look for the hiring manager’s name on the company’s website or LinkedIn profile. If that’s not available, it’s acceptable to use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Company] Team.” Make sure to mention the specific cybersecurity company immediately in order to show that your cover letter is tailored to the role.
If the job listing requests additional documents like references, enclosures, or a writing sample, make sure to include them as specified. Otherwise, your cover letter, resume, and any required credentials are the core components. You could also include your GitHub repository or personal website to show off your skills.
Emphasize your relevant education and certifications in cybersecurity. Showcase any transferable skills, such as problem-solving, attention to detail, or familiarity with security tools and technologies. Discuss any coursework, internships, or personal projects demonstrating your commitment to and knowledge of the field.
