Day 23: Cyber Careers – Who or What is a Security Engineer ?

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Security engineers use threat and vulnerability information to develop and apply security solutions. Security engineers tackle a variety of issues, including web application attacks, network dangers, and emerging trends and tactics. Data security is safeguarded by adopting and retaining security measures to prevent data loss. Keeping and adopting security systems is the ultimate goal. You’ll be responsible for maintaining security systems running as a security engineer. You may have to implement and test new security features, plan computer and network upgrades, troubleshoot, and respond to security issues.

What are the Responsibilities of a Security Engineer

  • Testing and evaluating security controls in software.
  • To update systems and reduce vulnerabilities, monitor networks, and reports.
  • Determine and put in place the systems required for maximum security.
  • Determining security precautions to enhance the incident reaction.
  • Coordinating team response to incidents.
  • Carrying out code audits and security assessments.
  • Developing technical remedies for security flaws.
  • Creating threat models and investigating novel attack routes.

Security engineer vs. Security analyst: What’s the difference?

In the previous article, I talked of Security Analyst and now I am talking of a Security engineer, both starting with security. 😁 I am sure you are wondering about the difference between these careers.

Well, security analysts and engineers both have to safeguard their company’s computers, networks, and data. Although there may be some cross-utilization, these positions are fundamentally different. Security engineers design the systems used to defend computer systems and networks and keep track of incidents whereas Security analysts monitor the network to detect and respond to security breaches. Security engineers frequently begin as security analysts.

What is the Salary of a Security Engineer 

According to several top sites, the average salary for a security engineer in 2022 in the US is around $109,920.

What are the Skills Needed as a Security Engineer

  • Secure coding in languages such as Python, C++, Java, Ruby, and Bash may be automated to boost security. 
  • The ability to secure network architectural designs is important when you’re developing network security. 
  • You must understand routing protocols, encryption, firewalls, and virtual private networks (VPNs). 
  • Penetration testing allows you to find flaws in current security systems so you can recommend upgrades and fixes. It also allows you to identify security weaknesses in operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • Depending on your employer, you may be tasked with securing operating systems in addition to endpoint security. You will need to secure endpoints in multiple locations using firewalls and other technologies to accommodate employees working from home.
  • An IDS or IPS monitors network activity and detects or prevents intrusions. While database platforms store, structure, and access data, you should know how they work to troubleshoot them. You should learn how data is structured, stored, and accessed to protect it.
  • Security engineers often collaborate with a security team, present findings and recommendations to executives, and urge good security practices across teams. 
  • To succeed as a security engineer, you must communicate, lead, problem-solve, and collaborate.

Closing Thoughts

Security engineers are involved in all stages of the development of a new application. They’ll be involved in the initial design, coding, and testing phases. If it’s a new application, they may coordinate with developers to create a security plan and onboard security testers. Once the application is ready to go live, they’ll be in charge of maintaining the security of the application daily and making sure it stays secure from the first use until the last day of operations. They work with developers, administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure that security is implemented consistently throughout the application.

Security engineers often take on a much heavier workload than other cybersecurity professionals. To keep up with the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, you need to have a solid knowledge of cybersecurity and programming languages. You also have to have a deep understanding of IT security and have the capability to program in the language that your employer requires.

Hope you enjoyed this blog post on Security Engineer career. Well, that will be all for the Day 23 post. Catch you in the next post 😉