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Security engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

David Garaventa,

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical security engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for security engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.5% of security engineer resumes contained java as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a security engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 security engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how security engineers use java:

Created scan engine enhancements via Java for protocol clients, application programming interface, and vulnerability library.
Designed and implemented containerization of Java based application.

2. Cloud Security

Here's how security engineers use cloud security:

Revamp 50+ enterprise AWS infrastructure implementations with CIS Benchmark security requirements leveraging Evident.io cloud security configuration monitoring and compliance tool.
Advised and implemented a robust cloud security solution (AWS) for a highly secure environment, including detailed.

3. Infrastructure

Infrastructure includes the organizational and physical structures needed to run an area or a society smoothly. It is a group of basic facilities required for any society or firm to run sustainably and efficiently. The infrastructural system is a high investing area and helps majorly in flourishing the economy and prosperity of a country. It is an underlying system needed for ensuring the safety and comfort of the public and to run a country smoothly. All the tasks needed to be performed for a flourishing economy and a happy and healthy public are included in infrastructure.

Here's how security engineers use infrastructure:

Provide network LAN/WAN design, implementation, consulting and leadership for data and converged communications infrastructure based largely on Cisco equipment.
Utilize Tenable Security Center for vulnerability/penetration testing coupled with Dell SecureWorks for incident management to better secure the network infrastructure.

4. Application Security

Application security refers to the protective measures taken by many applications to protect the user's data. This may include developing and testing security features or analyzing any security breaches and faults to develop better application security. The ultimate goal of application security is to prevent a user's information from being stolen.

Here's how security engineers use application security:

Perform penetration testing, application testing, web application security assessment, social engineering and wireless assessment.
Developed organizational wide application security training for developers, architects, senior managers, executives, etc.

5. Incident Response

Incident response is defined as the process by which a company or organization handles a cyber attack or a data breach. Along with dealing with the initial attack, this also deals with the possible consequences of the breach. The goal of incident response is to limit the damage caused by the attack.

Here's how security engineers use incident response:

Established a formal procedure for tracking internal IT security incidents & ensured incident response & escalation procedures were followed.
Developed a Security Incident Response process to help manage escalation notification from managed security service providers.

6. Windows

Windows is a chain of operating systems that controls a computer and is developed by Microsoft. Every version of Windows consists of GUI (graphical user interface), with a desktop that allows the user to open their files.

Here's how security engineers use windows:

Processed routine firewall requests; ensure requests comply with overall security policy and implement changes during appropriate change management windows.
Perform system level configuration changes on networking hardware, Windows and Linux systems in order to accommodate customer environments.

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7. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how security engineers use troubleshoot:

Monitored and troubleshoot production and corporate network issues.
Defined and troubleshoot site-to-site VPN connections.

8. Linux

Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Just like Windows, Mac OS, and IOS, Linux is an operating system used by millions across the globe. Android itself is powered by the Linux operating system. Linux manages all the hardware resources that are associated with your computer. The software is famous because of the protection it grants from viruses, malware, and crashes. The Linux operating system is entirely free and is an open-source software meaning it can be altered by those equipped with the knowledge to code.

Here's how security engineers use linux:

Involved in troubleshooting network traffic and its diagnosis using Linux operating system servers.
Provided vulnerability assessment of the Linux production network systems utilizing QualysGuard.

9. Network Security

Here's how security engineers use network security:

Performed all signed network security analysis duties, including verification and validation of alarms, recommendation of remediation actions and procedures.
Learned detailed functional knowledge of DoD and/or DISA network security requirements, Information Assurance procedures and/or guidelines ensuring IAVA compliance.

10. SIEM

Here's how security engineers use siem:

Utilized various security monitoring applications SIEM, Packet Analyzer, Flow Analyzer.
Perform SOC-Ops duties (Security Operations Center Operations) for customers & partners utilizing the 100% Proprietary Elastic-SOC SIEM platform.

11. NIST

Here's how security engineers use nist:

Gathered internal and external documentation as required by NIST for federal government enterprise security architecture.
Analyzed and documented findings in accordance with NIST 800-53A vulnerability management guidance.

12. Security Solutions

Security Solutions refers to firms/companies whose purpose is to ensure the provision of security services. The companies/organizations or businesses offer several security services, including; intruder alarms, CCTV installation services, cybersecurity services, access control services, and physical security services.

Here's how security engineers use security solutions:

Provided technical support in network assessments and product evaluations to provide analysis while recommending changes for implementing improved security solutions.
Develop documentation of the security requirements, high-level design, detailed design, and implementation for the security solutions.

13. Azure

Here's how security engineers use azure:

Develop Azure Security Center and Key Vault implementation standard and deployment guidelines.
Maintain security policies and standard security procedures for Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) systems.

14. Tcp Ip

Here's how security engineers use tcp ip:

Analyzed computer/network problems; analytical reports; risk assessment; TCP IP ICMP IDS HTTP HTTPS VPNS.

15. Security Vulnerabilities

Here's how security engineers use security vulnerabilities:

Scanned web and mobile applications prior to deployment using AppScan to identify security vulnerabilities and generated reports and fix recommendations.
Designed, developed, and implemented tools and methodologies to identify security vulnerabilities with a variety of networked systems.

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What skills help Security Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on security engineer resumes?

David Garaventa

Director, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity Programs, Assistant Professor, CIS, Albertus Magnus College

The skills/attributes required across a variety of jobs in the IT fields.

What soft skills should all security engineers possess?

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Professor and Chair, Xavier University

Communication, teamwork.

What hard/technical skills are most important for security engineers?

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Professor and Chair, Xavier University

Depends on the engineering career, but in general, an ability to know how to use design software, measurement/testing, and analysis equipment, in addition to prototyping and fabrication tools

What security engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Galen Duree

Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

It again depends on what the graduate sees as their next step - graduate school or a job with a company or lab. If the next step is graduate school, the graduate should investigate what they are interested in pursuing and then where the best school is to get the experience that the graduate thinks he or she wants.

General reading about technologies or reading available articles about subjects the graduate is interested in will help generate questions they can ask potential graduate schools. This time would also be a chance to improve areas where the graduate may feel weak while an undergraduate. Many online resources can help them brush up on week background topics. Do not worry about transfer credits because that is usually not helpful in graduate school, but improve knowledge and experience in areas where the graduate feels weak. If the graduate has identified a graduate school and program to study in, the graduate school might have some recommendations about what to review. All of this will help improve success in graduate school.

If the next step is a job with a company or lab, taking courses to improve communication will help. Many technically competent or even technically brilliant people struggle with effective communication. Techniques about writing reports, making oral presentations, or communicating technical information will help improve success. The gap year also provides time to investigate technologies that the graduate wants to be involved in and the companies or labs in those areas.

Once the graduate has identified areas of interest and companies or labs that the graduate might want to work for, they can be contacted to either answer questions or point the graduate in a direction for further investigation.

In either case, a gap year can provide a chance to refine the graduate's choice for the next steps and help them prepare other skills overlooked during the undergraduate years.

What type of skills will young security engineers need?

John Ring

Director Engineering Outreach, Elon University

While our universities consistently educate engineering students with hard skills and strong engineering fundamentals, tomorrow's engineers need to be strong communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Our professional environments are filled with data and information, and the constraint is typically how much time individuals can dedicate to solving a problem. At Elon University, we educate tomorrow's engineers to have the hard skills necessary to analyze the information and situations, apply critical thinking techniques to determine ways to solve the issue, and then concisely and efficiently communicate with colleagues as solutions are being set in motion.

What technical skills for a security engineer stand out to employers?

Janos Fustos Ph.D.

Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver

These days - since we went to the home office - everybody is looking for solutions that gives more and better support to remote workers. Organizations are looking for options where they can connect back to the organizations'' networks to complete their work. But that means much more work for the IT folks to make that happen and do that safely and securely. That means they are looking for individuals with technical skills that are in or closely related fields: security engineers and analysts, business analysts, data administrators, cloud service operators, network specialists etc.

Also, employers are looking for more experienced professional who can hit the ground running because their needs are more pressing and immediate, so they do not have too much time for training and education. But they are also looking for trainers to better educate users about their working environments and the changing working conditions. Users have to rely a bit more on these trainings because they cannot enjoy the immediate and direct IT support in their homes. In addition to that (or to extend that) helpdesk people are also in high demand who have the technical and also the people's skills to troubleshoot the problems that occur in highly uncertain and diverse environments.

Do you want to know more?

List of security engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a security engineer resume and required skills for a security engineer to have include:

Java
Cloud Security
Infrastructure
Application Security
Incident Response
Windows
Troubleshoot
Linux
Network Security
SIEM
NIST
Security Solutions
Azure
Tcp Ip
Security Vulnerabilities
Security Issues
Ruby

Splunk
Debugging
Encryption
Security Policies
Cloud Computing
Security Posture
SQL
SOC
Intrusion Detection
Cryptography
Servers
Lifecycle Management
Risk Assessments
Data Loss Prevention
PCI
Security Incidents
Security Assessments

System Security
Unix
Amazon Web Services
SDLC
Web Application
Key Management
TCP/IP
ISO
OS
BGP
Penetration Tests
Jenkins
Nessus
DLP
HIPAA
Emerging Technologies

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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