A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.

Network Security Engineer Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real network security engineer resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

  • Add and manage nodes in SolarWinds for monitoring purposes using SNMP v1/v2/v3.
  • Work with VMware NSX with deployment of greenfield environment and managing and troubleshooting issues with NSX.
  • Interact successfully with both program leads and DoD customer to ensure objectives are completed on time.
  • Experience in managing and troubleshooting Linux or Unix base operating systems.
  • Manage information technology security, including backups, firewalls, and routers.
  • Design and manage information systems security policy, implementation, and management for a globally distribute MPLS infrastructure.
  • Provide network security management and support windows servers.
  • Experience with ALG (RTP, RTSP and FTP, DNS, HTTP), DHCP.
  • Resolve routing and NAT issues utilizing tcpdump and other tools
  • Perform system upgrades and implement any new security policies per DFAS and DOD guidance and policy.
  • Key contributions include trouble shooting of complex LAN/WAN infrastructure that include routing protocols BGP, EIGRP and OSPF.
  • Work on different networking concepts and routing protocols like BGP, EIGRP, OSPF and other LAN/WAN technologies.
  • Configure networking with route tables, access control lists, firewalls, and NAT, HTTP and DNS.
  • Configure and perform troubleshooting routers and switches.
  • Perform installation and configuration of Cisco switches and routers

Network Security Engineer Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 10% of Network Security Engineers are proficient in Network Security, Windows, and Cisco Asa. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Analytical skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Network Security Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Network Security, 10%

    Worked with Network Project Manager to establish basic security principles, reviewed original HIPAA policies, and developed network security controls.

  • Windows, 5%

    Configured security on platforms, researches security notifications for applicable applications, made recommendations and deployed patches on Windows servers.

  • Cisco Asa, 4%

    Experience designing, implementing and supporting network segmentation in a data center environment using Cisco ASA firewall solutions.

  • Switches, 4%

    Performed installation and configuration of Cisco switches and routers

  • Linux, 4%

    Experienced in managing and troubleshooting Linux or Unix based operating systems.

  • Troubleshoot, 3%

    Be able to identify and troubleshoot VoIP service-impacting troubles and provided technical support for Residential and Business VoIP customers.

Most network security engineers list "network security," "windows," and "cisco asa" as skills on their resumes. We go into more details on the most important network security engineer responsibilities here:

  • Communication skills can be considered to be the most important personality trait for a network security engineer to have. According to a network security engineer resume, "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Network security engineers are able to use communication skills in the following example we gathered from a resume: "implement and maintain necessary encryption of electronic communication between staff, members and any third party vendor. "
  • Another commonly found skill for being able to perform network security engineer duties is the following: analytical skills. According to a network security engineer resume, "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Check out this example of how network security engineers use analytical skills: "provide minimal support with java and .net frameworks when needed execute reporting functions and data input associated with network management. "
  • Network security engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which can be critical when it comes to performing their duties. An example of why this skill is important is shown by this snippet that we found in a network security engineer resume: "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." We also found this resume example that details how this skill is put to the test: "resolved the partial overlapping encryption domains issue by addressing each network at a time. "
  • See the full list of network security engineer skills.

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    What Administrators Do

    Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office. They work the office calendar and oversee the appointment-setting process. They coordinate office events and ensure that all preparations are made and that there are no conflicting schedules. They also maintain a database of external providers of various office needs. Administrators also oversee office supplies and prepare purchase requisitions. They also manage janitorial services and other functions that are related to the maintenance of the physical office space. Administrators ensure that all fixtures and equipment in the office are functioning well and have no problems.

    In this section, we take a look at the annual salaries of other professions. Take administrator for example. On average, the administrators annual salary is $15,440 lower than what network security engineers make on average every year.

    Even though network security engineers and administrators have vast differences in their careers, a few of the skills required to do both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require linux, troubleshoot, and cloud security in the day-to-day roles.

    These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. A network security engineer responsibility is more likely to require skills like "network security," "windows," "cisco asa," and "switches." Whereas a administrator requires skills like "customer service," "data entry," "payroll," and "financial reports." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.

    Administrators really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $78,798. Whereas network security engineers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $95,160.

    On average, administrators reach similar levels of education than network security engineers. Administrators are 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    What Are The Duties Of a Systems Administrator?

    Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.

    The next role we're going to look at is the systems administrator profession. Typically, this position earns a lower pay. In fact, they earn a $11,166 lower salary than network security engineers per year.

    While the salary may be different for these job positions, there is one similarity and that's a few of the skills needed to perform certain duties. We used info from lots of resumes to find that both network security engineers and systems administrators are known to have skills such as "cisco asa," "switches," and "tcp ip. "

    In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are worth noting. For example, network security engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "network security," "windows," "routers," and "servers." Meanwhile, a systems administrator might be skilled in areas such as "windows server," "database," "powershell," and "os." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

    Systems administrators may earn a lower salary than network security engineers, but systems administrators earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $86,962. On the other side of things, network security engineers receive higher paychecks in the retail industry where they earn an average of $95,160.

    In general, systems administrators study at lower levels of education than network security engineers. They're 6.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    How a System Technician Compares

    A system technician is a professional responsible for supporting users with issues related to the computer system. System technicians conduct appropriate diagnostics on computer issues and must be able to explain technical issues to clients or team members. They should carry out tests on the system so that they can generate error reports to identify and fix any computer system problems. System technicians also can write and maintain computer programs and work with computers and electronics, including circuit boards, computer hardware and software, and computer processors.

    The system technician profession generally makes a lower amount of money when compared to the average salary of network security engineers. The difference in salaries is system technicians making $44,912 lower than network security engineers.

    While looking through the resumes of several network security engineers and system technicians we discovered that both professions have similar skills. These similarities include skills such as "switches," "linux," and "tcp/ip," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

    Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from network security engineer resumes include skills like "network security," "windows," "cisco asa," and "tcp ip," whereas a system technician might be skilled in "customer service," "hand tools," "preventative maintenance," and "control systems. "

    Interestingly enough, system technicians earn the most pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $58,665. As mentioned previously, network security engineers highest annual salary comes from the retail industry with an average salary of $95,160.

    When it comes to education, system technicians tend to earn lower education levels than network security engineers. In fact, they're 11.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    Description Of an Information Technology Administrator

    An Information Technology (IT) administrator is a professional responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.

    Information technology administrators tend to earn a lower pay than network security engineers by about $15,127 per year.

    While their salaries may vary, network security engineers and information technology administrators both use similar skills to perform their jobs. Resumes from both professions include skills like "network security," "cisco asa," and "switches. "

    Each job requires different skills like "windows," "routers," "servers," and "asa," which might show up on a network security engineer resume. Whereas information technology administrator might include skills like "customer service," "database," "windows server," and "pc."

    Information technology administrators earn a higher salary in the finance industry with an average of $93,678. Whereas, network security engineers earn the highest salary in the retail industry.

    Information technology administrators reach lower levels of education when compared to network security engineers. The difference is that they're 7.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree less, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.