Security Engineer

Careers Hub Becoming a Cyber Security Engineer in 2024 (30min read) Becoming a Security Engineer A security engineer designs, implements, and maintains cyber security solutions to protect digital assets. Use this guide to becoming a security engineer! Average Salary $115,000/year Start your journey now Enter your email below create a free TryHackMe account and start your career journey today! Create a FREE account or Log in  Overview Learning guide Becoming a Cyber Security Engineer The importance of a Cyber Security Engineer cannot be overstated: this professional is responsible for protecting all the information assets of an organisation. The job involves safeguarding computer systems, networks, and data against security breaches, unauthorised access, and other threats. Engineers are guardians and architects, building up defences to deter malicious threats and halt attacks. You can imagine the level of demand and prestige attached to a role of this significance. Beside the earning potential, many engineers are also motivated by the incredible responsibility. Before we get any further, there are several myths we want to dispel right away: I need a degree for a Security Engineer role Not true! We’ve learned from so many people who have launched their Security Engineer career long after university, often studying something completely unrelated (or not attending university at all!). If this was ever a requirement, it’s definitely a thing of the past with the huge amount of content available to you online. I need Security Engineer certificates under my belt You don’t! While employers do want to see your mastery of the technical side, there are other ways to do this. For example, a portfolio of practical projects. Some examinations do include a practical component which is great, but they can also be expensive! It’s too difficult to do alone With TryHackMe, you’ll never feel alone! We have millions of users just like you and over 210,000 members in our Discord community who offer support, guidance, and inspiration. So what are you waiting for? Read on as we break down each step you’ll need to take to kickstart your Security Engineer career. What is a Cyber Security Engineer? There are a lot of technical areas to master when becoming a Cyber Security Engineer. Let’s break down some of the core responsibilities of the role: Risk Assessment and Management Cyber Security Engineers assess the security risks faced by an organisation's systems and networks. They identify vulnerabilities, analyse potential threats, and evaluate the potential impact of security incidents. Security Architecture Design Engineers design, implement, and maintain security architectures that protect the organisation's infrastructure, applications, and data. This involves selecting and configuring security technologies such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption methods, and access controls. Incident Response and Forensics Engineers implement and maintain logging mechanisms and event capture solutions that facilitate incident response and forensics. If you’re noticing some overlap with the SOC Analyst role, that’s because there is! While Engineers can assist with incident response, more of the work comes in designing and improving monitoring and response systems that a SOC Analyst might use. In the event of a security breach or incident, Cyber Security Engineers may lead or assist in the response efforts. They investigate the root causes of incidents, contain the damage, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. They may also perform digital forensics to gather evidence for legal or disciplinary purposes. Security Testing and Auditing Engineers conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests to identify weaknesses in the organisation's defences. This includes vulnerability scanning, ethical hacking, and security code reviews. They also ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards through regular audits. Security Awareness and Training Engineers educate employees about best practices for maintaining security, such as creating strong passwords, recognising phishing attempts, and securely handling sensitive information. They may also develop training materials and conduct security awareness workshops. Security Policy Development Engineers develop and enforce security policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure consistent security practices across the organisation. This includes establishing user access controls, data encryption policies, and incident response protocols. Collaboration and Communication Engineers often work closely with other IT teams, such as network administrators, system administrators, and developers, to implement security measures effectively. They also communicate with senior management and stakeholders to provide updates on the organisation's security posture and recommend improvements. Analyst vs Engineer You may notice some similarities between Security Engineers and SOC Analyst. While both roles maintain the security posture of an organisation, Security Analysts primarily focus on the monitoring and analysis side, while Security Engineers focus on designing, implementing, tweaking, and maintaining security solutions that Analysts use. For example, an Engineer will maintain the SIEM environment that a SOC Analyst will use in the event of a possible incident. Let’s take an example: you work for an e-commerce company that is looking to expand its infrastructure and improve its security posture. As a Security Engineer, you will need to learn the organisation's specific requirements by conducting stakeholder interviews and risk analyses. With this information and understanding of critical assets, you’ll design tailored defences. This could involve proposing security controls and infrastructure around these assets such as a Web-Application Firewall (WAF) on their web servers, IDS/IPS solutions within the network, EDR AND SIEM solutions for real-time monitoring and logging events, IAM solutions for securing identity (especially in cloud environments) etc. An Analyst will identify and possibly escalate events that come through the logging mechanism you build and maintain. Becoming a Security Engineer means building a foundation of cyber security knowledge first. You’ll need to be familiar with network security, operating systems security, web application security, endpoint and cloud security to start. Beyond this, compliance, legal, and governance are essential to establish an effective security program and inform stakeholders of privacy or liability issues. As you can see, it’s a lot of content to absorb. Why become a Security Engineer? Why consider becoming a cyber security engineer? There are a lot of advantages to the role both for progression within this discipline and for transitioning into other areas of cyber security. For example: Breadth of knowledge The opportunities for learning are boundless, from knowledge of the different types of risks to an understanding of network, system, and software architecture. If you’re a lifelong learner, cyber security engineering is an excellent career investment. A working knowledge of red and blue team concepts will open many doors for you if you decide to change your career path. Security compliance, governance, and communication Part of the gig is encouraging a culture of vigilance and awareness across all departments of your organisation. You won’t just get to practise good security principles: you’ll preach them, too! Technical proficiency You’ll need to hit the ground running with a solid basis in Linux and Windows operating systems and common cyber security tools such as firewalls and antivirus software. A good understanding of cryptography and scripting (Python, PowerShell, and Bash) will help with automation. Wide arsenal of tools and techs It’s important to appreciate the mindset of a would-be attacker, so security assessment tools such as nmap and Metasploit are essential. SIEM for log analysis, data loss/prevention tools, and IAM (identity, access management) systems. Is a Cyber Security Engineer role a suitable fit for me? Are you motivated to secure our digital world? Are you a blue team devotee? Do you like the thought of frustrating would-be hackers with your top tier security infrastructure? This career path might be for you! And what about the soft skills? How do you know if you’re the right kind of person to operate as a cyber security engineer? Articulate - as is the case with many roles in cyber security, you’ll need to communicate elements of your work (such as why you’re designing your company’s cloud security in a particular way) to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Ethical - A company’s digital assets are yours to protect. a company’s digital assets are yours to protect. You’ll need to understand the challenge and monumental responsibility this comes with. Cutting corners or giving anything but your best effort could be devastating. Life-learner - keeping up with the latest security solutions AND emerging threats takes a lot of brainpower. You love the challenge! Adaptable - vulnerabilities are never planned. They’re exploited, and it’s up to you to fix them. You’ll need to be able to switch between different types of security and mediate between affected teams. If you’re still unsure how great a Security Engineer career can be, check out our guide, A Day in the Life of a Security Engineer. Learn from a Pro: Umair “Security Engineers not only deal with security threats as they emerge but must often solve problems with security tools and infrastructure to ensure that the rest of the security team can work without any problems. I faced a similar problem in a recent engagement. Our goal in the engagement was to fetch web server access logs and integrate them with our Security Information and Events Management (SIEM) tool. We ran into a problem and could not see the logs coming into the SIEM. To solve the problem, we zoomed into the individual components of the log pipeline, and verified the end result at the end of each component. This way, we were able to identify the root cause and fix it.” Skills to Become a Cyber Security Engineer As a Cyber Security Engineer, you will play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust security solutions to protect an organisation's digital assets from cyber threats. Your responsibilities will include: Security Architecture Designing and implementing secure network architectures, systems, and applications to mitigate cyber risks and ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Security Operations Monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents, vulnerabilities, and threats through security information and event management (SIEM) systems and threat intelligence platforms. Incident Response Developing and executing incident response plans, conducting forensic investigations, and coordinating with internal teams and external stakeholders during security incidents. Security Assessments Conducting risk assessments, penetration tests, and vulnerability scans to identify and remediate security weaknesses across the organisation's infrastructure. Identity and Access Management (IAM) Implementing IAM solutions to manage user identities, access privileges, authentication mechanisms, and enforce least privilege principles. Security Compliance Ensuring compliance with industry regulations, standards (e.g., PCI DSS, GDPR, HIPAA), and best practices through regular audits, assessments, and security policy enforcement. Security Awareness and Training Developing and delivering cyber security awareness programs, training sessions, and materials to educate employees about cyber security best practices and threats. Security Tool Management Evaluating, deploying, and managing security tools and technologies such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), endpoint protection, encryption, and secure authentication mechanisms. Collaboration and Communication Working closely with cross-functional teams including IT, development, compliance, legal, and management to align security strategies with business objectives and priorities. Continuous Improvement Staying updated with the latest cyber security trends, threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies to enhance security posture, incident response capabilities, and risk mitigation strategies. Required Skills: Technical Expertise Strong understanding of networking, operating systems (Windows, Linux), cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), databases, and web technologies. Security Tools Proficiency in using security tools such as SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk, QRadar), intrusion detection/prevention systems, vulnerability scanners, endpoint security solutions, and encryption technologies. Cyber Security Frameworks Familiarity with cyber security frameworks (e.g., NIST Cyber Security Framework, CIS Controls), standards, and regulations. Incident Response Experience in incident detection, analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery procedures. Risk Management Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies, risk mitigation strategies, and business impact analysis. Communication Skills Excellent communication, collaboration, and documentation skills to convey technical concepts, report security findings, and interact effectively with stakeholders. Problem-Solving Abilities Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify security gaps, troubleshoot issues, and implement effective security solutions. Check out the example job description for a Cyber Security Engineer below! Read enough of job descriptions, and the usual suspects start to crop up. Let’s break down the core capabilities required. Assist in conducting risk assessments and vulnerability assessments to identify security weaknesses and threats. Help in designing, implementing, and maintaining security architectures, policies, and procedures. Participate in or coordinate security testing, including penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and security code reviews. Assist with remediation of vulnerabilities found in penetration tests. Assist in incident response efforts, including containment, investigation, and remediation of security incidents. Collaborate with IT teams to ensure security best practices are implemented across systems and applications. Stay updated on the latest cyber security threats, trends, and technologies through continuous learning and training. What do I need to learn to become a Cyber Security Engineer? TryHackMe gives you the educational foundation to pursue a career as a Cyber Security Engineer. In fact, we have a learning path dedicated to this role, with our Security Engineer path. With our platform, you'll develop a robust defensive engineering methodology on our Security Engineer learning path. The modules within this path cover key areas such as threat and risk analysis, best practices for architecting secure network and system solutions, integrating security into the development lifecycle, and effective incident management techniques. If you’re starting from zero technical knowledge, we have entire learning paths dedicated to get you ready: try our Pre-Security orCyber Security 101 paths first. 0 to 1 with TryHackMe Don’t just take our word for it! Over to you, Richárd: “TryHackMe is a fantastic resource to bring structure into your learning journey. The great learning paths really jump started my interest in ethical hacking and gave a deeper understanding on various security-related concepts. I used this knowledge when applying for my current job as a Security Engineer at Prezi and it’s helped in my journey to recently becoming Tech Lead of Security Engineering!” Richárd Seeking a Cyber Security Engineer role? Here’s everything to know! Now you’ve got the skills and you know the demands of the role, it’s time to see what’s out there. While you can dive right into a job board and start looking for Cyber Security Engineer roles, there are some things to consider first. Flexibility Unlike a typical SOC Analyst role, a Security Engineer's working hours are typically less variable. However, Security Engineers must be able to pivot quickly between different tasks, projects, and priorities, along with working with teams and business units sometimes from all time zones- it’s important to know what’s expected of you before you get too invested in the role. Research Where possible, do some research on the current state of your potential company’s SOC. What’s the tech stack (SIEM, EDR, SOAR)? What is the state of SOC visibility? As these are the tools you will be spending your time configuring, tuning, and maintaining, it definitely helps to have an idea of what to expect. Continuous research is also important for Security Engineers to stay updated on emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and security best practices. Get the Job! You’ve decided a Security Engineer career path is right for you and you’ve completed our Security Engineer training. What now? With all this preparation behind you, you’re in the best possible place to secure an offer and start your security engineering career. One thing is for sure: there are few careers in cyber security with as much responsibility and reward as Security Engineers! With a little preparation, you can tackle anything your interviewer throws at you. To help you exceed, we recommend a read of our Security Engineering interview guide. And if you feel you’re not quite ready, no problem! We have hundreds of training rooms to expand your knowledge. If you’d prefer to get a little experience under your belt first, we have plenty of expert tips for gaining hands-on experience. Share Security Engineer Learning Path Enroll now CONTENT Becoming a Cyber Security Engineer (5 min) What is a Cyber Security Engineer? (2 min) Analyst vs Engineer (1 min) Why become a Security Engineer? (30 sec) Is the Cyber Security Engineer Role a fit for Me? (1 min) Learn from a Pro: Umair (20 sec) Skills to become a Cyber Security Engineer (3 min) Required Skills (30 sec) What Do I Need to Learn to Become a Cyber Security Engineer? (2 min) 0 to 1 with TryHackMe (30 sec) Seeking a Cyber Security Engineer role? Here’s everything to know! (2 min) Get the Job! (30 sec) Start your journey towards becoming a Security Engineer with TryHackMe today Security Engineer Learn the skills required to jumpstart your career in Security Engineering. View content Enroll now Looking for something else...? Careers • 5 min read Becoming a Security Engineer: Richárd’s Success Story Introducing Richárd, a TryHackMe user who has recently soared to new heights after securing a role as a Security Engineer for Prezi. Careers • 4 min read How to Become a Security Engineer Want to learn how to become a Security Engineer? Take a look at our top tips and expert advice! Careers • 3 min read A Day in the Life of a Security Engineer To give you an understanding of what to expect in a Security Engineer role, we sat down with Umair, a Content Developer at TryHackMe and a Security Engineer for over 9 years.