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What does a senior security engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a senior security engineer do

A senior security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the organization's systems and network database to prevent unauthorized access and avoid data breaches. Senior security engineers inspect the efficiency of networks, perform system configuration, and increase the optimal performance of complex systems. They also implement policies and procedures for compliance with the proper utilization of information directories. They also conduct regular maintenance of networks, create update reports, and resolve glitches and security threats.

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Senior security engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior security engineer resumes:

  • Manage logistics of moving necessary equipment for test across country to newly designed/built NSA certify test facility.
  • Assess cloud providers and products to meet NIST 800-53 for accreditation of applications operating in the cloud.
  • Involve in migrating JBOSS /Fat java applications to RHEL6 upgrade.
  • Conduct vulnerability scans using NESSUS to scan the CMS QIO network infrastructure.
  • Install and maintain security infrastructure, including IPS/IDS, log management, and SIEM systems.
  • Design and implement a plan to upgrade the ACAS infrastructure to include MDA's remote sites.
  • Assist in policy creation for Splunk, as well as redefining matrix need to prioritize incoming threats.
  • Educate and train clients on cloud computing services, private/public/hybrid cloud, IAAS, PAAS and SAAS.
  • Review technical specifications for SIEM, logging and propose recommendations to improve the overall deployment of the solution.
  • Conduct a policy gap analysis to determine policy areas that need updating to meet the requirements of NIST 800-53.
  • Authore a REXX userid reset tool for use by the global help desk to allow resetting and resuming user ids.
  • Create a review report base on event anomalies and export all logs from systems and networks into Splunk for security analysis.
  • Configure ACAS scanning laptops to scan for active vulnerabilities on the network equipment locate in the SIL (test lab).
  • Maintain internal Linux systems for development and internal product testing.
  • Develop and oversee implementation of database encryption for sensitive data.

Senior security engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Senior Security Engineers are proficient in Cloud Security, Java, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Problem-solving skills.

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

  • Cloud Security, 8%

    Research and develop grants for cloud security based proposals and initiatives.

  • Java, 8%

    Installed and configured Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control 11g JVM Diagnostics to diagnose performance issues with JAVA applications in production environment.

  • Linux, 5%

    Provided recommendations to Linux hardening guide for base systems and specific application servers.

  • Windows, 5%

    Develop tools and automation scripts with Perl and bash to automate security configuration requirements for Windows and Unix/Linux systems.

  • Incident Response, 4%

    Authored virus incident management educational materials and training policies during service aiding in cross training of worldwide IBM incident response teams.

  • Security Engineering, 4%

    Perform information systems security engineering to integrate required security characteristics and requirements into the performance objectives of the selected system.

Most senior security engineers use their skills in "cloud security," "java," and "linux" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior security engineer responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior security engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved." Senior security engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "develop user behavior models in java by connecting to data stores like crate, hdfs. "

Detail oriented. Many senior security engineer duties rely on detail oriented. "because cyberattacks can be difficult to detect, information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.," so a senior security engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior security engineer responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "compiled detailed investigation and analysis reports for internal soc consumption and delivered to management. "

Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for senior security engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how senior security engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior security engineer: "designed and supported security infrastructure of remote access solution for enterprise. ".

See the full list of senior security engineer skills

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Compare different senior security engineers

Senior security engineer vs. Securities analyst

Securities analysts, also known as financial analysts, are responsible for collecting and interpreting data on securities, economies, corporate strategies, and financial markets. They provide clients with recommendations on investments based on in-depth research. This role has various duties and responsibilities that include putting out a buy, sell or hold recommendation in the financial markets, assessing the value and financial stability of companies, and meeting with company representatives to better understand their business practices. Securities analysts are also responsible for devising financial models.

If we compare the average senior security engineer annual salary with that of a securities analyst, we find that securities analysts typically earn a $38,146 lower salary than senior security engineers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior security engineer and securities analyst positions are skilled in java, linux, and windows.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior security engineer responsibilities require skills like "cloud security," "security engineering," "security solutions," and "debugging." Meanwhile a typical securities analyst has skills in areas such as "security systems," "database," "security events," and "application security." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Securities analysts tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,246. In contrast, senior security engineers make the biggest average salary, $126,467, in the manufacturing industry.On average, securities analysts reach similar levels of education than senior security engineers. Securities analysts are 3.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior security engineer 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.

Securities consultant positions earn lower pay than senior security engineer roles. They earn a $30,388 lower salary than senior security engineers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both senior security engineers and securities consultants have skills such as "cloud security," "java," and "linux. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior security engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "security engineering," "azure," "network security," and "security posture." Meanwhile, a securities consultant has duties that require skills in areas such as "application security," "security management," "customer service," and "architecture." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Securities consultants earn a lower average salary than senior security engineers. But securities consultants earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $99,249. Additionally, senior security engineers earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $126,467 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Securities consultants tend to reach lower levels of education than senior security engineers. In fact, they're 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior 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.

On average, personnel security specialists earn lower salaries than senior security engineers, with a $43,513 difference per year.senior security engineers and personnel security specialists both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "security issues," "security policies," and "dod," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior security engineers are more likely to have skills like "cloud security," "java," "linux," and "windows." But a personnel security specialist is more likely to have skills like "sci," "jpas," "e-qip," and "personnel security."

Personnel security specialists earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $77,737. Comparatively, senior security engineers have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $126,467.Most personnel security specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to senior security engineers. For example, they're 4.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior security engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

Engineers tend to earn a lower pay than senior security engineers by an average of $30,403 per year.While their salaries may vary, senior security engineers and engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "cloud security," "java," and "linux. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A senior security engineer uses "incident response," "security engineering," "security solutions," and "security issues." Engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #. "In general, engineers earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $97,672. The highest-paying industry for a senior security engineer is the manufacturing industry.In general, engineers hold similar degree levels compared to senior security engineers. Engineers are 4.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior security engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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