How to Become a Security Engineer

If you are thinking about a career in information technology, with a keen interest in cybersecurity, then becoming a security engineer may just be right for you. What are security engineers, you ask? Let’s find out.

Security engineers, often referred to as information systems security engineers or information security analysts are responsible for protecting the confidential data that is highly sensitive for the organization, such as client information, financial records, and trade secrets from hackers and cyber-attacks. This profession is a dynamic and challenging profession, as it is continuously evolving, and hackers, as well as other cyber criminals, are finding newer, more advanced methods of infiltrating the digital framework in order to gain access to sensitive and critical information.

The job of a security engineer is a full-time job, as per the bureau of labor statistics as security engineers are required to be present on site in order to computer support technicians and ensure they are able to telecommute in a proficient manner. If you aspire to be a security engineer then it is extremely important to have the right background, which means having the required education and experience in order to appear on the radar of hiring managers.  

Responsibilities of a Security Engineer

Before opting for any career, it is always important to gain knowledge of the type of tasks and duties the profession asks for. Following are the responsibilities which a security engineer is required to perform, and this will give you a good idea whether this career path is indeed what you wish to pursue.

• Develop new methods of resolving prevalent production security issues
• Perform risk analysis, vulnerability assessment along with security assessments
• Configure intrusion detection systems along with firewalls and install them
• Manager and track incidents by creating automation scripts
• Investigate any attempts at hacking or intrusion, mount incident responses, as well as carry our forensic investigations.
• Evaluate the latest processes and technologies available for enhancing security capabilities
• Collaborate and coordinate with team members to authenticate, authorize, and encrypt solutions.
• Follow industry standards and use them to test the security solutions in place
• Deliver formal papers as well as technical reports on test findings
• Supervise the changes in hardware, telecommunications, software, user needs, and facilities
• During each stage of the lifecycle of the project, respond to any and all information security issues
• Define corporate security policies and deploy as well as maintain them.
• Suggest modifications and improvements in the technical, legal, and regulatory areas that may affect the information technology security.

If you happen to get a job in a large organization as a security engineer, then you will be reporting to the Security Manager.

Security Engineer Requirements

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

In order to become a security engineer, you need to have relevant education and qualifications. The basic requirements are a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, information systems or systems engineering. There are certain positions, which even require candidates to have 5-10 years of relevant experience, preferably in the information security field. Apart from having a bachelor’s degree, it is always a plus to have certifications such as CISSP as well. These add value to your already developed skill set and allow your resume to catch the eye of the hiring manager. There are different skills that a security engineer must possess, which will be discussed in greater detail further on in the article. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, a security engineer can earn up to $95,510/- per year, and the demand for such professionals is expected to grow at 28% from 2016-2026, which much faster than the average growth rate for the IT industry. 

Security Engineer Degree Requirements

It is very important to develop the right skill set for this position, as it leads to some of the elitist jobs in the IT industry. These include having the right education. Hiring managers search for candidates having a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines; information technology, information systems, applied mathematics, computer programming, computer engineering, or any other related field. It is also important to have other qualifications apart from a bachelor’s degree, such as enrolling in other programs that deal especially with information security such as CompTIA’s security+ or CISSP, or any other certification which offers detailed knowledge regarding program testing, hacker software, cryptography, network security, applied mathematics, computer forensics, information system maintenance and ethical considerations. Along with additional certifications, obtaining a master’s degree will also help in reaching higher-level positions in this profession.

Professional Experience

As already mentioned earlier, the demand for security engineers is expected to grow with a rate of 28% from 2016-2026. This means that many jobs will be available in the market, so pursuing this profession will definitely benefit you in the long run. Different industries will require security engineers, such as the healthcare industry, information technology industry, e-commerce industry, manufacturing industry and many more. These individuals are in great demand due to the fact that the number of cybersecurity attacks has increased exponentially over the past couple of years. Depending on the level of the job, the employers look for candidates having 5-10 years of relevant experience, with at least five years of experience in information security.

Combining education with professional experience will help in making a strong and highly impressive CV. Entry level security engineers will gain knowledge about program testing and risk management, whereas, the further you move on in your career, the more knowledge you stand to gain.

Career Path for a Security Engineer

Becoming a security engineer is just the beginning of mobbing on to bigger and better positions. After you have gained enough experience, you can opt for managerial positions that offer career flexibility as well, such as;

• Security Manager
• Security Architect
• Security Consultant

And these positions will set the foundation for stepping into the top level positions, often referred to as the C Level positions. These include;

• Security Director
• CISO

Similar Jobs

Often times, other jobs offer the same set of responsibilities as that of a security engineer. While the name may be different, the duties remain the same. Similar job titles include;

• Information assurance engineer
• Network Security Engineer
• Information Systems Security Engineer
• Information Security Engineer

Requirements for a Security Engineer

Apart from educational requirements which have already been discussed above, security engineers need to possess a specific skill set to catch the eye of the hiring managers. There are two types of skills that individuals possess, hard skills and soft skills. We have listed it down below four your understanding. Let’s look at what those are.

Hard Skills

Hard skills usually refer to the technical and subject knowledge you possess; which includes knowledge of:

• Intrusion detection and prevention protocols along with the mechanism of a firewall.
• IDS/IPS, vulnerability testing, and penetration
• Linux, Windows and Unix operating systems
• MySQL/MSSQL database platforms
• Ethical hacking, secure coding practices, and threat modeling
• Technologies used for virtualization
• Access management and identity principles
• Secure network architectures
• Encryption and application security technologies
• DNS, VPNs, subnetting, VoIPs, VLANs, encryption technologies and standards, and other networking methods.
• Social engineering, phishing, APT (advanced persistent threats), enhanced authentication, gateway anti-malware, and NAC (network access controllers).
• Web and network protocols such as UDP, ECP/IP, HTTPS, HTTP, IPSEC, routing protocol, and others.  

Soft Skills

There are many people who do not consider soft skills to be as important than hard skills and at times fail to work on them. This is a huge mistake. Soft skills are at times even more important than hard skills because they help you in making a lasting impression. If you really want to make a god lasting impression, then your need to master soft skills, which include communication skills, writing skills, and even at times speaking/ persuasion skills. Security Engineers are popular for their creative minds and the talent to solve complex problems. You will be required to work with your IT team and give them instructions, which, if not clear, will lead to major issues. Hence, focus on developing your soft skills as much as your hard skills, for it will benefit you greatly. Employers look for strong communication and oral skills in candidates, and those who impress are able to land the job.     

Security Engineer – Certifications Available

We mentioned a couple of certification before, however, here is a detailed overview of the different certifications you can opt for, in order to upgrade your arsenal of knowledge. While these certifications are not mandatory, they will certainly help boost your career progression. Following are a couple of courses you should definitely consider;

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• GIAC Security Certifications (GSEC/ GCIH / GCIA)

The CISSP certification is immensely beneficial for all those who want to advance in their career. However, before you opt for this course, you must have five years’ experience under your belt. Browse our information security course catalog for more information regarding the type of certifications available for you.

Is Security Engineer the same as a Security Analyst?

Security engineers and security analysts are poles apart. While security engineers focus on developing and creating a system, security analysts focus on breaking them down to conduct analysis to detect any risks or gaps within the system. Security Engineers, on the other hand, are more focused on building a strong and robust framework for security solutions and protection. Even so, there are many organizations which post about security engineer/ analyst as one job.

Sample resume of a Security Engineer

Edwin Keener

452 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 95100

Home: 000-000-0000 | Cell: 000-000-0000

email@example.com

Professional Summary

Seasoned and passionate individual with a dependable personality. An Information Security Engineer having an exceptional record of discretion and competence. Adept at communicating with team members, clients as well as other engineers in a clear manner. Able to handle and secure sensitive information about the client while maintaining the standards of trust and confidentiality.

Certifications and Other Qualifications

• Proficient in the use of firewall encryption and authorization methods, along with the authentication of web filtering.
• The superior breadth of experience on information security and network administration
• Sound knowledge of internet protocols
• Profound experience in security policy development, deployment and enforcement.
• Expert in detecting and identifying intrusions through network scans and other tools
• Skilled in the identification, management, and resolution of critical issues
• Skilled in in-depth analysis of data as well as in the threat identification of network security
• Highly skilled in communicating complex technical information in a non-technical, clear and concise manner.

Experience

TMI Software Solutions

Information Security Engineer                                                                                                    6/1/2010 – Present

Responsibilities included:

• Made use of multiple technical methods for protecting and securing customer data
• Developed information security policy with the objection of reducing the risks associated with data loss
• Identified security threats and ensured there was no repetition of chronic information security threats by taking actions as and when required
• Developed a detection system for network intrusions and deployed backup programs for supporting the detection system.

Unibank Consulting Group Inc.

Information Security Engineer                                                                                                   6/1/2006 – 5/1/2010

Responsibilities Included;

• Updating the organization regarding new cyber threats and potential damage.
• Monitoring of security systems for hacking attempts or any signs of fraudulent activities.
• Updating the security system on set intervals to ensure the optimal working of the system, along with documenting the technical progress.
• Evaluating firewalls and intranets for threats regularly.
• Coordinated with the computer security response team in resolving any virus infection of fraudulent incidents.

Education

University of California

Bachelor’s Degree – Computer Science                                                                                                                   2006

References

Reference/s will be provided upon request.

Common Security Engineer Interview Questions

If you want to nail an interview and get the job of your dreams, then you need to be prepared for it. It is immensely beneficial to know the type of questions which may be asked by the interviewer. Usually, the flow of the interview remains the same. The hiring manager begins by getting to know you, so he or she is likely to ask about your dreams, ambitions, family background, your past experiences, before moving on to the technical side of things.

Here are a couple of questions which will give you a general idea of what to expect during a job interview.

• Please tell us about yourself
• Mention something that is not present on your CV
• Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
• What according to you, are your strengths and weaknesses?
• How would you handle a stressful and extremely tense situation? Have you been through anything like that?
• Give an example of an incident when you resolved conflict within your team?
• Are you able to handle the pressure?
• What kind of manager do you think you are?

Once you are done with the formalities and the hiring manager has assessed your interpersonal skills, the interview will then move on to test your technical knowledge. Here are some questions which will help you gain an idea of the types of questions to expect in an interview.

• What is HMAC?
• How would you conduct a penetration test for any device?
• How would you handle an engineer downgrading the severity of vulnerability just to extend the SLA?
• What is the difference between CSRF and XSS?
• Have you previously used Firewalls? What is the purpose of Check Point?
• Where are you likely to use HMAC?

These are some of the questions which will help you in preparing for the interview. A security engineers job is so exciting that you will find yourself dealing with a new and challenging situation every day. In this dynamic work environment, you must possess skills that help you stand out from the competition. This information will help you in deciding what  Always remember, the more knowledge you have, the better the chances of success. So again as much information as you possibly can by opting for certifications apart from your degree. For more information, peruse through our information security course catalog and get affiliated with the different types of courses and qualifications available to help you step up your game. 

About The Author

Content Marketer at QuickStart

Asad Raza

An experienced content development specialist, Asad is proficient at crafting engaging and interesting content, with a distinct penchant for linguistic excellence. Being interested in technology and globally-significant events and news, he particularly enjoys writing on real world-relevant topics. A bibliophile at heart, he loves to read and immerse in fiction across genres.