How to Write a Cybersecurity Analyst CV That Passes ATS Scans

While there are many common problems people face when writing a resume or CV, like not knowing where to start, what to include, or how to structure it, one of the biggest mistakes is writing a resume that can’t pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

This might not seem like a big deal at first, but here's the truth: if your resume can't be properly read by ATS software, it might never even reach a hiring manager. And that’s enough to cost you a job, no matter how qualified you are.

To show you what I mean, some time ago, I applied for a Web3/Crypto writer position. I had the right skills, strong experience, and a solid portfolio. But despite all that, I didn’t even get an interview. Why? My resume wasn’t ATS-friendly. It didn’t make it past the system.

That moment was an eye-opener, and it’s even more important in fields like cybersecurity, where precision, clarity, and technical expertise must shine through and be machine-readable.

How to Write a Strong Product Designer CV in the U.S.

Build a resume that blends creativity with measurable impact to land your next design opportunity.

TechloyDavid Adubiina

So, let’s break this down.

What Is an ATS-Compliant Resume?

An ATS-compliant resume is one that is formatted and structured in a way that allows an Applicant Tracking System to accurately scan, parse, and rank your application. These systems filter resumes before they even reach a human hiring manager.

In short, if your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it might never get read, no matter how perfect you are for the role.

Cybersecurity Jobs That Count on a Solid Resume

Whether it's a bank trying to protect financial data, a healthcare company safeguarding patient records, or a blockchain startup defending smart contracts, nearly every industry is in need of cybersecurity professionals.

But here's the thing: not every cybersecurity job looks the same.

Some roles require you to be hands-on with firewalls and anti-virus software. Others expect you to sit in board meetings and explain security risks to non-technical stakeholders. That’s why your resume needs to be tailored to the specific cybersecurity role you’re aiming for.

Let’s look at a few common roles:

• Security Analyst – These are the digital watchguards. They monitor systems, investigate incidents, and recommend ways to stay ahead of threats.
• Cybersecurity Analyst – Similar to a security analyst but often with a more strategic, proactive approach. Think of them as digital detectives analyzing patterns before attacks even happen.
• Information Security Analyst – This role focuses on protecting sensitive company data. Think data encryption, network access, and compliance with security regulations.
• Security Systems Engineer – They design and implement the actual security systems, whether it's network architecture, secure protocols, or system hardening.
• IT Security Specialist – A bit of a jack-of-all-trades. They wear many hats, from managing tools like SIEM and antivirus to conducting internal audits and employee training.

In essence, a cybersecurity resume doesn’t just show you can work with technology—it proves that you understand the real-life consequences of digital breaches and how to prevent them.

How to Write an ATS-Compliant Cybersecurity Resume (With Examples)

1. Include Your Contact Information

The contact section might seem simple, but this is where many candidates get disqualified. ATS bots scan this area for an email, phone number, and sometimes your LinkedIn URL. A single typo or using an outdated or overly creative email (yes, we’ve seen things like cyberkingz@protonmail.com) can send your resume straight to the trash.

So, a few things you want to keep in mind to prevent your CV or Resume from being rejected:

• Use a professional email: firstname.lastname@gmail.com.
• Avoid inserting contact info in text boxes or headers, they confuse ATS systems.
• If your LinkedIn profile is well-optimized, include the link.

2. Write a Professional Summary

Most people don’t realize this, but you typically have just 5–7 seconds to grab the attention of a recruiter or an ATS. That’s why your professional summary is crucial. You can think of it as your digital elevator pitch to instantly show why you're the right fit.

To better ensure your professional summary is well written:

• Keep it to 2–3 sentences max
• Tailor it to each job by echoing keywords from the posting.
• Mention years of experience, certifications, tools used, and industries worked in.

3. Describe Your Work Experience

This is the section where you need to prove your value, not by listing your daily tasks, but by showing the impact you made. ATS tools are designed to scan for specific details like job titles, dates, and relevant keywords, while hiring managers focus on measurable results that show what you actually achieved.

As such, you want to:

• Always lead with action verbs: led, implemented, enhanced, and mitigated.
• Use bullet points and stick to one format throughout.
• Limit to 5 bullet points per job
• Quantify your work whenever possible (numbers stand out).

4. List Relevant Cybersecurity Skills

More often than not, ATS systems are trained to match specific skills with job descriptions. So, if you miss out on including relevant skills, even if you actually have them, you might be automatically rejected.

Therefore, adding a good mix of hard and soft skills makes you a more well-rounded candidate.

You can:

• Pull skills directly from the job posting—mirror their language.
• Separate hard skills (technical) from soft skills (interpersonal/strategic).
• Use plain text and avoid graphic charts or icons.

5. Include Your Education

Whether you're just starting out or already have years of experience, your education still plays a key role in how your resume is assessed, especially by ATS software. For entry-level cybersecurity roles, having a relevant degree can be a minimum requirement. For seasoned professionals, it’s more about checking the box to confirm you meet the baseline qualifications.

To make sure this section works in your favor:

• Use this format: Degree | School | Graduation Year
• Skip the GPA unless it’s outstanding or you’re a recent graduate
• Keep it simple and clean—no fancy formatting or unnecessary details

6. Add Certifications and Security Clearances

In cybersecurity, certifications aren’t just nice to have, they’re often expected. So if you're targeting a role in the private sector or applying for government positions, having the right credentials can push your resume past both ATS filters and hiring managers' expectations. Some certifications even act as hard requirements for specific roles, while security clearances can be non-negotiable in government or defense-related jobs.

Here’s how to present them effectively:

• List the full certification name (not abbreviations only)
• Include the issuing organization (e.g., CompTIA, ISC², EC-Council)
• Mention the year earned (or expiration date if applicable)

7. Proofread (Seriously)

It might sound basic, but proofreading is one of the most overlooked steps—and it can cost you big if you don't carefully proofread. A typo in your resume could make the ATS misread important information or worse signal carelessness to a hiring manager.

To avoid slipping up:

• Run your resume through grammar tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid
• Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing or errors you might miss while skimming
• Ask someone else to review it—a fresh set of eyes can spot issues you’ve overlooked

How to Write a Quality Software Developer CV in the UK

Craft a professional software developer CV that showcases your skills, experience, and impact to land your dream job.

TechloyDavid Adubiina

Conclusion

Even with the right skills, your resume must speak the language of both machines and humans. With cybersecurity roles becoming more competitive, having an ATS-optimized resume gives you a major edge.

So, before you click “Apply,” double-check that your resume doesn’t just tell your story, it tells it in a way recruiters and software can actually read.

Image Credit: David Adubiina/Techloy.com