Cyber Security Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a cyber security engineer job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a cyber security engineer. Feel free to use our cyber security engineer job description template to produce your own cyber security engineer job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a cyber security engineer.
Who is a Cyber Security Engineer?
A Cyber Security Engineer develops and puts into action strong network defenses against hackers, cyberattacks, and other ongoing dangers. A cyber security engineer should have a background in data security, IT security, or web security.
Cyber security engineers develop strategies to defend systems, applications, and networks against harmful online attacks; they create and implement secure networks and ensure that the network’s resources are safe from cyber-attacks. They periodically examine and monitor them to ensure the security systems are current and operating effectively,
Businesses and private individuals employ cyber security engineers to assist in safeguarding organizational data, sensitive information and financial information, and the organization’s reputation.
Cyber security engineers use information security principles and technologies to design and implement security solutions to defend networks and data systems against cyberattacks. These experts frequently build, evaluate, and launch security systems and subsystems, and they collaborate with other IT experts to alter, replace, or introduce computer programs to reduce vulnerabilities.
Cyber security engineers utilize hardware and software to defend programs against outside attacks; because applications are widely accessible over networks, it emphasizes the need for developers to produce secure apps that are not vulnerable to threats. Due to the evolution of technology, they now use machine learning to detect hazards.
Cyber security engineers create tools that contribute to the security of computer architecture, just like other engineers; they spend most of their time thinking ahead to potential network or computer vulnerabilities and devising solutions for them. Utilizing penetration testing techniques or attempting to attack a system like a hacker is another option for identifying security gaps or weak points.
Cyber security engineers receive training in forensics, network architecture, and design. These engineers must be conversant with the most recent developments in virus software and virus detection, firewall architecture, and content filtering since they frequently work with cutting-edge computer and mobile technologies.
Cyber security engineers who work must feel at ease analyzing computer code and searching for irregularities or harmful lines that could lead to security flaws. They are accountable for interacting with coworkers and associates and describing complex computer and data issues to senior management and decision-makers.
Cyber security engineers may also work in settings requiring extra industry qualifications or security clearances from the government. They work in banks, big retail firms, government organizations, and even the charitable sector. They are probably part of the IT department anywhere there is a network and sensitive data.
Cyber Security Engineer Job Description
What is a cyber security engineer job description? A cyber security engineer job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a cyber security engineer in an organization. Below are the cyber security engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a cyber security engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
Cyber security engineers have various duties they perform in their workplaces, they are:
- Address all network and related system security breaches.
- Assess the organization’s security requirements and set appropriate best practices and standards.
- Collaborate with other teams and implement new ideas.
- Conduct tests and scans to find any network and system vulnerabilities.
- Code with programming tools such as Java, C++, Python, PHP/Hack, or Golang.
- Determine and implement the necessary changes for the given product area, codebase, or systems.
- Design, maintain, and update the security measures required to safeguard systems, networks, and data for companies.
- Perform penetration testing.
- Implement the necessary security steps to protect the organization’s infrastructure and current data
- Handle daily administrative responsibilities such as reporting and maintaining contact with the proper departments of the organization.
Qualifications
- A degree in systems engineering, computer science, or a related discipline will be advantageous
- Experience performing incident identification and response, and other similar cyber security-related tasks
- Knowledge of how firewalls work, how to operate them, and how to maintain various endpoint security measures
- Knowledge of programming languages and tools
- Certified in cyber security
Essential Skills
- Communication
The scope of cyber-attacks has expanded beyond the technical team’s purview due to their increasing regularity and intensity. Cyber security engineers must communicate the assessment’s results to the leadership, which necessitates good interpersonal and communication skills to ensure complete transparency regarding a company’s security position. Since they collaborate closely with people in various departments and jobs as a cyber security engineer, they should clearly express their discoveries, worries, and solutions to others. They should also be able to speak clearly and concisely about cybersecurity strategy and policy is crucial, as is being able to explain technical concepts to people with varying degrees of technical knowledge.
- Database architectures
Data protection is crucial in cyber security, so cyber engineers should know how to organize, store and share data.
- Detail-oriented
They must be extremely alert and detail-oriented to identify vulnerabilities and threats when defending an organization against cyber attacks. They monitor networks, address problems as they arise, and rapidly devise security measures to deal with them.
- Ethical hacking
Cyber security engineers may understand how networks and infrastructure can be attacked in the first place to safeguard an organization’s network and infrastructure. They should possess hacker-level skills to comprehend how a system could be compromised and develop efficient defenses against these assaults.
Cyber security engineers can approach the company from the outside and look for flaws using ethical hacking skill sets. They can also build a safe hacking environment to mimic a scenario. This strategy frequently exposes previously hidden vulnerabilities, and an ethical hacker can assist businesses in staying one step ahead of cybercrime organizations and syndicates.
- Knowledge of complex networking and its designs
Cyber security engineers should know virtual private networks (VPNs), secure network architectures, VoIP, DNS, routing protocols, and subnetting. They must be familiar with network security tools like firewalls and encryption.
A significant majority of cybersecurity attacks are the result of flaws in network settings. The hazards grow as humans rely on network access for communication, consumer interactions, and other productive work.
Cyber security engineers should be able to assess the current network landscape, including local area networks, wide area networks, wireless networks, and IoT to make security recommendations. Cyber security focuses on technology, so the engineers may need to troubleshoot, maintain, and update information security systems and offer real-time security solutions.
- Programming
Cyber security engineers sometimes create brand-new security procedures from scratch; they require theoretical and practical expertise in widely used programming, scripting, and database systems. They may need to know how to use languages like golang, PHP, and python and tools like PowerShell and OpenSSH that help with automation, secure communication, etc.
- Knowledge of various networks and operating systems
Cybersecurity is not just about computers; cyber security engineers need to be at ease using computer systems, operating systems, mobile devices, cloud networks, and wireless networks. They also need to stay current on cybersecurity developments for these systems.
Most businesses use a heterogeneous OS environment that includes Windows, macOS, different Linux distributions, mobile OS, and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms. Cyber security engineers must be able to secure the entire system while taking into account the particular needs and technological constraints of each OS.
- Understanding of computer forensics
Computer forensics and cybersecurity are intertwined, despite being two distinct professions, and a background in computer forensics can help a person succeed in a cybersecurity career. They must understand what happens if their efforts fail and how to recover compromised data, secure organizations’ digital assets, and prevent security breaches. For this reason, some cybersecurity degree programs include digital forensics courses; Computer forensics is a developing field of research that combines cybersecurity and legal compliance. Law enforcement frequently uses it while looking into crimes using digital evidence. Cyber security engineers should be familiar with basic digital forensics because they might need to help with investigations if there is an insider threat, an external attack, a significant data breach, or any other security incident with negative consequences.
- Problem-solving
When cyber security engineers evaluate enterprise systems, they must approach the task with skepticism, a zero-trust mentality, and a keen eye for detail. Once they find vulnerabilities, they need to think of ways to come up with a solution while keeping in mind the available resources—budgets, time, talent, and software tools. Problem-solving is crucial in the day-to-day work of a cyber security engineer, so people working in the field must come up with innovative solutions to tackle and solve information security concerns in a range of current and new technologies and digital surroundings.
- Open to learning
Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field, like any other technical one. Those who work in the field must stay current with best practices and develop industry trends; they must also be open to learning at any time.
How to Become a Cyber Security Engineer
Starting a career as a cyber security engineer is not so easy, however, it is rewarding. Below are different paths to tow to become a cyber security engineer:
Earn a bachelor’s degree through an accredited program
Getting a degree is a more conventional route; depending on the field, it may be expensive. It provides a prospective cyber security engineer with the most philosophical basis in cyber security and is also the most thorough. Once a person knows the field they want to pursue, they need to earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information security, computer science, or a related field. A four-year degree program may include coursework like computer science, data analysis, cryptology, network communications, network infrastructures, and more.
Boot camp route
This route is more suitable for tech experts who want to switch careers in cyber security. It calls for at least some familiarity with a scripting language and an understanding of networking. Many cyber boot camps provide beginner cyber security courses to help interested people get started. A boot camp might take a few weeks to under two years, depending on the program; the longer programs are either part-time or online. Bootcamps cover topics that include networking, security, and even soft skills through career counseling, interview prep, and resume help.
Self-paced learning
Anyone interested in numerous opportunities to learn and grow can get resources on the internet. In addition to the reality of how expensive higher institutions and sometimes boot camps are, there is an increase in the number of people choosing the self-learning path. Self-learning has become more institutionalized and accessible than ever due to the growth of online learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, EDX, and Udacity.
Pursue a master’s degree in a computer science field
Those who decide to advance their degree can pursue a graduate degree like a master’s in cyber-security or information security to help advance their career and pay grade. If they choose to obtain their graduate degree, they will have more opportunities to specialize in a specific subfield of cybersecurity.
Complete an internship
Another optional way to gain more experience in the field is to participate in an internship. It is an excellent way to test their abilities and gain valuable professional experience. An internship helps them evaluate their suitability in various companies as they learn to interact and collaborate with different teams.
Obtain certification
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, cyber security engineers can pursue professional certifications through accredited programs. These certifications are usually voluntary, though they are excellent credentials to possess because they showcase their expertise and continuing development.
While skill and qualifications are often enough to start a cyber security career, further industry qualifications are necessary for advancing. These certifications can help one gain new skills, learn new techniques and technologies, and reliably demonstrate their duties. Some of them are CompTIASecurity+, Certified Informations System Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+), and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification offered by the EC Council.
Where to work as a Cyber Security Engineer
- Banks
- Business firms
- Hospitals and other health organizations
- Government institutions
- Schools
- Technology firms
Cyber Security Engineer Salary Scale
Cyber security engineers’ salary differs as factors such as location, the industry, skills, company, and years of experience may determine the pay.
In the United States
The annual average of a Cyber security engineer is $83,110, as the salary range may fall between $56,100 – $133,000. It may be a bit more or a little.
In the United Kingdom
The annual average of a Cyber security engineer is $63,500, as the salary range may fall between $46,150 – $94,400. It may be a bit more or a little.
Other countries’ cyber security engineers’ salaries fall relatively lower than the United States.