How to Become a Cyber Security Engineer?

A cybersecurity engineer’s responsibility is to design and execute secure network solutions to provide protection against cyber attacks, hackers, and other threats. They also have to continuously monitor and test monitors to make sure all the defences are updated and are working properly. Also known as an information security engineer or a data security engineer, a cybersecurity engineer serves as the go-to person for security procedures and policies.

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As a cyber security engineer, you have to do the following tasks:

• Assess your company’s security needs regularly and make sure your system is up to date.
• Create, implement, and maintain all defense measures needed to keep your organization’s systems, data, and networks safe.
• Troubleshoot security and network incidents and issues.
• Conduct penetration testing frequently.
• Appropriately respond to all security breaches to the network and associated systems.
• Take suitable security steps to ensure the safety of your company’s infrastructure, data, and information.
• Actively take part in the change management process.
• Perform regular tests and scans to discover any existing vulnerabilities in the networks and systems.
• Deal with daily administrative duties, such as reporting and directly communicating with your company’s appropriate departments.
• Give your input in case of any security breach investigation.

Cybersecurity is the most interesting field of the IT sector and is perfect for people who enjoy a challenge. This branch is full of potential and offers a number of career opportunities, making it a rewarding choice. According to Indeed, the average salary of a cybersecurity engineer is $101,126 annually. According to a report published by careerexplorer, you can earn $59K even as a beginner.

If you wish to learn cybersecurity, you can sign up for this course by Great Learning. This program helps you become a cybersecurity professional by offering you immense knowledge and expertise on cybersecurity subjects, techniques, and tools.

Required qualifications

The following qualifications are required to become a cybersecurity engineer:

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, systems engineering, or a related field.
• 2 years of work experience in cybersecurity duties, such as forensics and incident detection and response.
• Experience with the functionality, operation, and maintenance of firewalls and other forms of endpoint security.
• Proficiency in cybersecurity tools and languages like Python, R, C++, Java, Powershell, etc.
• The capability to work under pressure in a fast-paced working environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• To be able to protect your systems from cybercriminals, you need to think like one. This means you need to possess out-of-the-box thinking skills to succeed in this field.

According to a report, the demand for cybersecurity engineers is estimated to grow 12% between 2016 and 2026, which is more than the average for other jobs. As businesses, organizations, and even governments depend more and more on digital platforms, demand for cybersecurity professionals is only increasing. Forbes called cybersecurity a “fast-growing job with a huge skills gap”. In the United States, almost 40,000 jobs go unfilled every year. The number of cybersecurity jobs is growing 3 times faster than any other IT job. If you would like to build a career in this ever-evolving field, you should consider getting a cybersecurity certification.

Steps to become a cybersecurity engineer

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field. Scoring a good GPA and internship will help you in adding practical value to your degree.
• The next step is to gain an entry-level job in fields, such as risk management and program testing. Gain about 5 years of experience in this field.
• After 5 years of experience, you can qualify for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential through the International Information System Security Certification Consortium.
• Earn a master’s degree in cybersecurity, specializing in security engineering.
• You are eligible for your first job as a cybersecurity engineer.

The main job of a cybersecurity engineer is to secure devices, networks, and services from malevolent digital attackers. You also have to design, create, and implement secure infrastructure to stay safe from hackers. Along with hard technical skills, you should also possess soft skills, such as management and communication.

FAQs

Q1: Does a cybersecurity engineer earn well?

Ans: According to the Mondo survey, cybersecurity engineering is one of the top 6 most-paying jobs in the IT sector. With the right skills and qualifications, you can make almost $120,000 to $200,000 annually.

Q2: How long does it take to be a cybersecurity engineer?

Ans: To become a cybersecurity engineer, you need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, a 2-year master’s degree, and 2-5 years of experience.

Q3: What skills do you need for cybersecurity jobs?

Ans: The skills required to become a cybersecurity professional are technical aptitude, problem-solving skills, fundamental computer forensics skills, communication skills, and an understanding of hacking.