What does a senior systems security engineer do?
A senior systems security engineer maintains the safety and security of an organization's computer systems and network databases to safeguard them from unauthorized access and data breaches. The professional is also responsible for performing system configuration, ensuring the efficiency of computer networks, and increasing the optimal performance of complex systems. The core skills that a senior systems security engineer should possess include strong problem-solving and analytical skills and a keen eye for details. The education requirements for the position include a college or bachelor's degree in the field of computer systems security, computer science, and information technology.
Senior systems security engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior systems security engineer resumes:
- 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.
- Create custom network attach storage (NAS) systems using Linux network block devices (NBD).
- Identify continuous monitoring security controls to test using NIST SP 800-53/53A and produce associate documentation.
- Conduct software product installation, configuration management, maintenance and testing of VMware and relate products.
- Review, analyze and accredit DoD agency programs, systems and networks to ensure consistent and accurate reporting to accreditation authorities.
- Provide technical leadership, task management, and engineering support to customers in the development of cryptography and key management solutions.
- Generate reports and system maintenance using SQL queries.
- Used SQL server to identify specific vulnerabilities and to generate custom reports.
- Develop CONOPS to document operational requirements.
Senior systems security engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Senior Systems Security Engineers are proficient in DOD, Security Engineering, and RMF. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Systems Security Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- DOD, 8%
Reviewed, analyzed and accredited DoD agency programs, systems and networks to ensure consistent and accurate reporting to accreditation authorities.
- Security Engineering, 8%
Participate in test and engineering support initiatives evaluating security engineering actions.
- RMF, 7%
Prepare security assessment package recommending system for or against authorization to operate using DIACAP and RMF process
- NIST, 6%
Gathered internal and external documentation as required by NIST for federal government enterprise security architecture.
- Windows, 5%
Performed in-depth technical analysis and reviewed information systems compliance on Linux and Windows operating systems.
- Linux, 4%
Utilized existing IP filtering code in the Linux kernel and built a firewall with tracking and strike back capabilities.
Most senior systems security engineers use their skills in "dod," "security engineering," and "rmf" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior systems security engineer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a senior systems security engineer to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what senior systems security engineers do 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 senior systems security engineer resume shows how senior systems security engineers use detail oriented: "detail design of hbss deployment/installation plan and hbss policy design. "
Analytical skills. Many senior systems security engineer 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 senior systems security engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior systems security engineer responsibilities rely on analytical skills: "provided linux based solutions for firewall, webserver, mail server, proxy server, and data encryption. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior systems security engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior systems 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: "supported 24x7x365 high availability solutions in large complex data center environments approximately 5500 devices and servers. "
See the full list of senior systems security engineer skills
The three companies that hire the most senior systems security engineers are:
- Amazon20 senior systems security engineers jobs
- Raytheon Technologies20 senior systems security engineers jobs
- VMware13 senior systems security engineers jobs
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Compare different senior systems security engineers
Senior systems 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, senior systems security engineer responsibilities require skills like "security engineering," "rmf," "lan wan," and "acas." Meanwhile a typical securities analyst has skills in areas such as "siem," "security issues," "database," and "security events." 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 systems security engineers make the biggest average salary, $123,174, in the professional industry.securities analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than senior systems security engineers. In fact, securities analysts are 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Senior systems 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior systems security engineer resumes. While senior systems security engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "security engineering," "rmf," "lan wan," and "network security," securities consultants use skills like "cloud security," "application security," "iso," and "security management."
On average, securities consultants earn a lower salary than senior systems security engineers. 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 senior systems security engineers have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $123,174.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Securities consultants tend to reach lower levels of education than senior systems security engineers. In fact, they're 7.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior systems 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior systems security engineers are more likely to have skills like "dod," "security engineering," "rmf," and "nist." But a engineer is more likely to have skills like "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #."
Engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $97,672. On the other hand, senior systems security engineers are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $123,174.engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to senior systems security engineers. Specifically, they're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior systems security engineer vs. Personal security specialist
Types of senior systems security engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
