What foundational skills are key for an Information Security Analyst when building necessary foundational knowledge?

SIEM tool proficiency, threat analysis, and incident triage

The Information Security Analyst role serves as an excellent gateway into the field, primarily because it forces the development of core operational skills. The text emphasizes that analysts spend their time monitoring security events, investigating alerts, and researching current threats. To do this effectively, the foundational knowledge they must build includes proficiency with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools—the central nervous system for monitoring—as well as developing sharp threat analysis capabilities and mastering the initial steps of incident triage, which are critical first steps before escalation to specialized investigative roles.