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What is a senior systems security engineer and how to become one
A senior systems security engineer is primarily concerned with the security of the digital systems, servers, and services of an enterprise as well as customer data protection. You are responsible for inspecting and supervising the functionality, quality, and vulnerability of a system or database. Your duties involve handling updates, service requests, reporting, documenting, and mitigating vulnerabilities.
You must also be involved in setting up firewalls, establishing authentication methods, and protecting all consumer data. It is your job to protect your organization's data and network systems from unauthorized access and data breaches. You must also ensure that all systems work optimally.
A senior systems security engineer must possess strong problem-solving and analytical skills as well as a keen attention to detail. Other essential skills are cybersecurity, quality assurance, Information Technology, and Security engineering. The average annual salary for this position is $119,000 at the rate of $57.49 per hour. The minimum educational qualification for employment is a bachelor's degree.
What general advice would you give to a senior systems security engineer?
Professor David Sanford
Associate Professor an Department Chair (MIS, CS, CYB MGT, IS CYB), Northwood University
They appreciate the diversity of projects
They enjoy the need for continuous improvement and education
Many see the global impact of their work.
They also desire and appreciate the need for versatile skills
A competitive salary is also an item that employees like
Workers dislike that the work can be stressful
Dealing with tight deadlines and/ or cybersecurity concerns.
This is a positive and a negative: The need to constantly stay up to date with technology can be a bit overwhelming for some.
There may be times of isolation, and
The unexpected system failures can be frustrating as they often require extra hours or the need to be on-call.
The multiple responsibilities and managing repetitive tasks are also issues workers point out in this field.
In short, the workplace offers exciting opportunities but comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. Different people have different experiences based on their roles and personal preferences.
Avg. Salary $112,486
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 32%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%
Asian 9.64%
Black or African American 9.15%
Hispanic or Latino 8.99%
Unknown 6.09%
White 65.70%
Genderfemale 13.99%
male 86.01%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Senior systems security engineer career paths
Key steps to become a senior systems security engineer
Explore senior systems security engineer education requirements
Start to develop specific senior systems security engineer skills
Skills Percentages DOD 7.81% Security Engineering 7.63% RMF 6.81% NIST 6.39% Windows 5.06% Complete relevant senior systems security engineer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior systems security engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior systems security engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior systems security engineer resumes.Gain additional senior systems security engineer certifications
More About CertificationsSenior systems security engineer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific senior systems security engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for senior systems security engineers include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
Research senior systems security engineer duties and responsibilities
- Manage logistics of moving necessary equipment for test across country to newly designed/built NSA certify test facility.
- Conduct security engineering activities and apply appropriate safeguards on system components as outlined in applicable DoD security policies and guidelines.
- Utilize existing IP filtering code in the Linux kernel and build a firewall with tracking and strike back capabilities.
- Author operational reports to prove an operational ACAS security overview for ARCYBER G36.
Get senior systems security engineer experience
Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a senior systems security engineer. The most common roles before becoming a senior systems security engineer include senior systems engineer, systems administrator team lead and systems engineer.Prepare your senior systems security engineer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior systems security engineer resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior systems security engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
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Apply for senior systems security engineer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a senior systems security engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
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Average senior systems security engineer salary
The average senior systems security engineer salary in the United States is $112,486 per year or $54 per hour. Senior systems security engineer salaries range between $83,000 and $151,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
