Become a Cyber Security Engineer

In this career path, you will learn what it takes to become a Security Engineer, a role in the highest demand with 57,000+ job openings according to cyberseek.org. Learn to resolve production security issues, configure and manage firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS), investigate incidents, perform forensics and run incident responses. Cybrary offers practical, virtual lab environments specific to Cyber Security Engineering that will help you gain real-world, hands-on skills with the industry’s latest tools and technologies.

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Overview

What Are Some Cyber Security Engineer Roles and Responsibilities?

Cybersecurity engineers’ primary responsibility is to protect the computer systems and networks of an organization from threats and attacks. To achieve that goal, there are many tasks and duties that cyber security engineers must perform. The following are the most common functions for which cyber security engineers are responsible:

Development of a set of security practices and standards

Creating new, more efficient, ways to resolve current security issues

Making recommendations to management regarding security enhancements and improvements

Performing penetration testing

Monitoring systems and networks for intrusions or security breaches

Conducting network scans to identify weaknesses or vulnerabilities

Installation of software, including data encryption programs and firewalls

Installation or processing of security products and procedures

Installation of appropriate software to improve notifications of intrusions

Development of automation scripts to manage and track incidents

Monitoring systems to identify irregular behavior

Leading incident response efforts

Leading investigations into breaches that occur

Supervising and providing feedback for changes in hardware, software, and user needs

Reporting findings and feedback to management

Planning and implementing information security strategies for an organization

Training or educating network users on information security

Recommending improvements in technical, legal, and regulatory areas as they pertain to information security

What Are Some Cyber Security Engineer Job Requirements?

Employers typically want cyber security engineer candidates to possess a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field, and at least three years of experience in identifying threats and developing effective protection countermeasures.

Additionally, as a cyber security engineer, most employers will expect you to have the following:

Understanding of cyber security methodologies

The ability to evaluate system changes for security implications and the knowledge to make recommendations for improvements

Knowledge of current cyber security trends, as well as the continued research of emerging trends and hacking techniques

Proficiency in Java, Python Net, C++, bash, and power shell

Networking experience with the TCP/IP stack (may not be a requirement, but is often preferred)

Solid understanding of the OSI model and renowned ports and services (may not be a requirement, but is often preferred)

The ability to work well with others, including collaboration and communication with other departments

The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and to work under pressure

Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills

Every organization offers a unique role, so depending on the complexity of its networks and systems and the company’s goals, you may have additional responsibilities.

What is a Typical Cyber Security Engineer Job Description?

As a cyber security engineer, you will be responsible for protecting an organization’s networks and systems against threats from adversaries in cyberspace. Cyber security engineers’ functions include performing assessments and penetration testing, development and implementation of secure network solutions, architecting, engineering trusted systems into secure systems, and managing audit/intrusion and security technology systems.

Cyber security engineers must be able to troubleshoot, identify unauthorized access, and offer solutions regarding an organization’s system and network as it relates to cyber security. When in this position, you will perform the very detailed work at the forefront of information protection efforts for the organization. It is your training, skills, experience, and education that stand between the organization for which you work and threats and breaches, like unauthorized access to data and information or intrusion into your organization’s systems.

Cyber security engineers may also be known as IT security engineer, application security engineer, web security engineer, or data security engineer. Whatever the title, you will also be responsible for collaborating with other departments to establish security protocols and protect IT systems.

A Day in the Life of a Cyber Security Engineer

As with other information security jobs, work as a cyber security engineer can hardly be defined as routine. While there are some aspects of the job that need to be handled or performed daily, you never really know what your day will entail until it happens. Cyber security engineers typically work in fast-paced, complex environments and are frequently required to work odd hours and even overtime, in some cases. It can be stressful for people who do not thrive in that kind of environment.

While you never know when a threat or attack is going to take priority, some of the daily tasks that a cyber security engineer may have to perform are:

Responding to any network or system security breaches or viruses

Ensuring that appropriate security controls are consistently in place to protect the organization’s digital files and infrastructure

Planning, implementing, managing, monitoring, and upgrading security measures for the protection of systems, networks, and data

Various administrative tasks, reporting, and communication with other departments

Performing penetration testing and identifying system and network vulnerabilities

Day-to-day tasks and activities can vary for cyber security engineers, depending on where they work and the types of systems and networks they are responsible for protecting.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How Long Will It Take To Be Job Ready?

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What Will I Learn?

Foundations

Focused on the core IT competencies that cybersecurity professionals need to succeed in any career path.

Defensive Security

Focused on trying to find the bad guys. Topics such as threat intelligence, threat hunting, network monitoring, incident response. Defensive security is a reactive measure taken once a vulnerability is found through prevention, detection, and response.

Engineering and Operations

Focused on building and operating information systems.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance

Focused on the core IT competencies that cybersecurity professionals need to succeed in any career path.

Leadership and Management

Focused on program design and oversight. Covers project and program management.

Offensive Security

Focused on validating security controls by trying to break them (i.e. penetration testing or ethical hacking). Topics such as Kali Linux, metasploit, scanning, and privilege escalation. Offensive security seeks out the problem or vulnerability through ethical hacking and finds a solution to disable the operation.

Offensive Security

Focused on the core IT competencies that cybersecurity professionals need to succeed in any career path.

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ISC2 CISSP Practice Test: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (2021)

There is a growing need for information security leaders who possess the depth of expertise needed to establish capable security programs and protect an organizations' critical information assets. The ISC2 CISSP certication is the proven standard of that knowledge. This practice test from CyberVista prepares you confidently pass the 2021 CISSP exam.

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