What does a network security specialist do?
A Network Security Specialist is a person who oversees computer networks to find security threats or unauthorized users. Their responsibilities include: identifying compromised machines, creating briefs of security measures taken, identifying possible security risks, determining the proper procedure to address the risks, assessing software that security aid, and researching security devices to get proper information on installation, audit-related information, and disaster recovery plans.
Network security specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real network security specialist resumes:
- Achieve a reputation as a security and technology leader in the LINUX world, interview profiled by several LINUX publications.
- Manage project to maximize available bandwidth and throughput by implementing QOS technologies including compression, traffic shaping and priority/custom queuing.
- Install new firewalls, switches and routers contingent on management schedule.
- Create encryption policy and technical solutions to protect company mobile computing devices including laptops and smart phones.
- Manage project to maximize available bandwidth and throughput by implementing QOS technologies including compression, traffic shaping and priority/custom queuing.
- Coordinate efforts in moving data from Novell servers to Microsoft server with total overhaul of file and security group structure.
- Evaluate and design a perimeter Sourcefire IPS solution.
- Develop a program for automating FTP account creation for isolate / secure account space enabling for easy account deployment and reconfiguration.
Network security specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Network Security Specialists are proficient in Network Security, Incident Response, and IDS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Network Security Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Network Security, 12%
Provided Level II support for global Network Security and Remote Access infrastructure worldwide providing expert guidance to customer satisfaction.
- Incident Response, 6%
Maintain meticulous records of security monitoring and incident response activities.
- IDS, 5%
Monitored Real Secure IDS, MRTG bandwidth and CPU utilization and ACL's on our DMZ's.
- Firewall, 5%
Provided a deep knowledge of the firewall environment to support architecture and implementation efforts.
- Switches, 4%
Maintained critical security components: Cisco routers and switches, Cisco Secure PIX firewalls, and network intrusion detection systems.
- Intrusion Detection, 4%
Installed, administered, and supported Host Based Security Systems, Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems, Firewalls, and Vulnerability Management Systems.
"network security," "incident response," and "ids" are among the most common skills that network security specialists use at work. You can find even more network security specialist responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a network security specialist to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance." Network security specialists often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "contract position performed deep packet analysis using wireshark monitoring program provided detailed reports upon completion of packet analysis. "
Analytical skills. Many network security specialist duties rely on analytical skills. "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved.," so a network security specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways network security specialist responsibilities rely on analytical skills: "support inventive sales software using the citrix eis client and sql database. "
Problem-solving skills. network security specialists are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to network security specialist responsibilities, because "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." A network security specialist resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "test and implement solutions specific to meet dod and army security requirements for landwarfarenet. "
The three companies that hire the most network security specialists are:
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Compare different network security specialists
Network security specialist vs. Senior network engineer
A senior network engineer is responsible for managing the organization's network infrastructure, handling advanced network issues, upgrading the system's design for optimization, configuring network features, and ensuring the network's highest security measures to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities. Senior network engineers work with network architects to implement network designs, run diagnostic tests, and create network solution reports for review and recovery reference. A senior network engineer must have excellent communication and organization skills and broad knowledge of the technology industry, programming languages, and system codes.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a network security specialist are more likely to require skills like "network security," "incident response," "ids," and "firewall." On the other hand, a job as a senior network engineer requires skills like "eigrp," "mpls," "load balancers," and "qos." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Senior network engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $112,997. On the other hand, network security specialists are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $83,146.senior network engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than network security specialists. In fact, senior network engineers are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Network security specialist vs. Securities consultant
A securities consultant is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the company's premises, including enforcing protection for all the employees and company assets. Securities consultants also handle the confidentiality and stability of data network systems to prevent potential breaches and unauthorized access to information. They coordinate with the system analysts to design programs and databases as part of technical solutions to maximize productivity and increase efficiency. A securities consultant writes incident reports, recommend strategic techniques, and research threat risks that may put the company in jeopardy.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, network security specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "network security," "switches," "soc," and "routers." Meanwhile, a securities consultant has duties that require skills in areas such as "cloud security," "java," "application security," and "iso." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, securities consultants earn a higher salary than network security specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, securities consultants earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $99,249. Whereas network security specialists have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $83,146.securities consultants earn similar levels of education than network security specialists in general. They're 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for network security specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.
Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
Network security specialist vs. Network support engineer
A network support engineer is an information technology expert who designs and develops computer systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, configuring networks, troubleshooting issues, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, and recommending strategies to optimize network operations. They must also provide technical support to staff, address issues and concerns, conduct inspections, and perform repairs. Moreover, a network support engineer must regularly monitor networks while implementing the company's security and safety standards.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a network security specialist is likely to be skilled in "network security," "incident response," "ids," and "intrusion detection," while a typical network support engineer is skilled in "network support," "dhcp," "series routers," and "mpls."
Network support engineers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $91,500. Comparatively, network security specialists have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $83,146.When it comes to education, network support engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to network security specialists. In fact, they're 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Network security specialist vs. Senior network administrator
Senior Network Administrators provide system and network solutions for their organizations. They supervise the functioning of networking equipment and follow strict maintenance standards.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between network security specialists and senior network administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a network security specialist might have more use for skills like "incident response," "ids," "intrusion detection," and "cloud computing." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior network administrators require skills like "network hardware," "san," "dhcp," and "network systems. "
Senior network administrators enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,129. For comparison, network security specialists earn the highest salary in the technology industry.senior network administrators reach similar levels of education compared to network security specialists, in general. The difference is that they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of network security specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
