What does a security engineer do?
Security engineers are responsible for developing and overseeing data and security software to help prevent data breaches, leaks, and taps related to cybercrime. Other duties and responsibilities include developing new systems to help protect computer networks and assets, configuring firewalls, and conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities. Additionally, security engineers are responsible for investigating attacks and help prevent cybersecurity threat. They are also responsible for creating new processes for authorization, encryption algorithms, and authentication, and analyzing current security policies.
Security engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security engineer resumes:
- Provide SME level support in a manage PKI environment.
- Achieve authority-to-operate (ATO) status ahead of schedule.
- Hardened/Tune a manage fleet of Cisco ASA and IPS security appliances.
- Create custom scripts using ruby and proprietary gems to automate testing and reporting.
- Manage CND tools team standup of multiple ArcSight logger and connector appliances according to DISA STIG requirements.
- Manage vendor relations for VPN connectivity.
- Lead technician for desktop and network support troubleshooting routers, hubs, servers, and TCP/IP protocols.
- Implement a manage endpoint encryption solution utilizing TrendMicro MobileArmor to secure university workstations against sensitive data loss.
- Implement software platform that is responsible for configuration management, IOS upgrades and compliance checks for all network devices.
- Involve in troubleshooting network traffic and its diagnosis using Linux operating system servers.
- Perform detailed packet analysis on trigger security events utilizing tools such as Wireshark and NetWitness to eliminate false-positives and identify true-positives.
- Transfer of MAF-TDL programs from DIACAP to RMF.
- Streamline processes for provisioning new access.
- Play active role in NOC design and deployment issues.
- Assist ISO with auditing process, collecting evidence and documentation.
Security engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Security Engineers are proficient in Java, Cloud Security, and Infrastructure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 9%
Created scan engine enhancements via Java for protocol clients, application programming interface, and vulnerability library.
- Cloud Security, 8%
Revamp 50+ enterprise AWS infrastructure implementations with CIS Benchmark security requirements leveraging Evident.io cloud security configuration monitoring and compliance tool.
- Infrastructure, 8%
Provide network LAN/WAN design, implementation, consulting and leadership for data and converged communications infrastructure based largely on Cisco equipment.
- Application Security, 4%
Perform penetration testing, application testing, web application security assessment, social engineering and wireless assessment.
- Incident Response, 4%
Established a formal procedure for tracking internal IT security incidents & ensured incident response & escalation procedures were followed.
- Windows, 4%
Processed routine firewall requests; ensure requests comply with overall security policy and implement changes during appropriate change management windows.
"java," "cloud security," and "infrastructure" are among the most common skills that security engineers use at work. You can find even more security engineer responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a security engineer to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance." Additionally, a security engineer resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "provided specific and detailed technical guidance for modifying and enhancing the national computer center (ncc) information system security posture. "
Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling security engineer duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved." According to a security engineer resume, here's how security engineers can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "mitigated the application using available os, database or application hot fixes. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of security engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday security engineer duties, as "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provide security solutions for hardening the agencies' red hat and debian linux systems maintained within the information assurance division. "
The three companies that hire the most security engineers are:
- Meta543 security engineers jobs
- Bausch + Lomb358 security engineers jobs
- Amazon342 security engineers jobs
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Compare different security engineers
Security engineer vs. Personnel security specialist
A personnel security specialist is responsible for conducting background checks and collecting requirements for security clearance. Personnel security specialists write background check reports, coordinate with other institutions for further investigations, and determining the eligibility of candidates for clearance. They must have excellent communication and researching skills to identify and gather data suitable for employment purposes. A personnel security specialist verifies and processes information according to security procedures and protocols, providing accurate information and managing data disputes.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between security engineers and personnel security specialist. For instance, security engineer responsibilities require skills such as "java," "cloud security," "infrastructure," and "application security." Whereas a personnel security specialist is skilled in "sci," "jpas," "e-qip," and "personnel security." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Personnel security specialists really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $77,737. Comparatively, security engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $126,572.The education levels that personnel security specialists earn slightly differ from security engineers. In particular, personnel security specialists are 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a security engineer. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security engineer vs. Information security analyst
An information security analyst is an individual who is responsible for carrying out security measures to protect the computer network and systems of an organization. Information security analysts erect firewalls and encrypt data transmissions to protect the organization's data from being inappropriately accessed or used. They must be aware of reports on computer viruses and should share this information with the management or customer. Information security analysts are also required to conduct training for all the organization's employees regarding computer security and information safeguarding.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real security engineer resumes. While security engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "infrastructure," "application security," "nist," and "security solutions," information security analysts use skills like "corrective action," "access management," "st," and "security events."
On average, information security analysts earn a lower salary than security engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, information security analysts earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $119,898. Whereas security engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $126,572.In general, information security analysts achieve similar levels of education than security engineers. They're 1.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for security engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Security engineer vs. Personal security specialist
An information systems security officer's role is to perform preventive measures to protect a company's data and systems from hackers or cyber-attacks. Their responsibilities revolve around assessing the existing security measures to identify any vulnerabilities or inconsistencies, recommending and implementing changes to improve security systems, and developing new strategies and programs for data protection. There are also instances when an information systems security officer must manage and maintain information in databases, train new employees, and create new security policies, all while adhering to the company's vision and mission.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a security engineer is likely to be skilled in "java," "cloud security," "infrastructure," and "application security," while a typical personal security specialist is skilled in "customer service," "emergency situations," "product knowledge," and "sales floor."
Personal security specialists typically earn lower educational levels compared to security engineers. Specifically, they're 9.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security engineer vs. Information systems security officer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between security engineers and information systems security officers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a security engineer might have more use for skills like "java," "infrastructure," "application security," and "troubleshoot." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of information systems security officers require skills like "rmf," "isso," "sci," and "configuration management. "
Information systems security officers enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $89,615. For comparison, security engineers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.In general, information systems security officers hold similar degree levels compared to security engineers. Information systems security officers are 1.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of security engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
