How to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer?

A cybersecurity engineer designs and implements secure network solutions to defend against hackers, cyberattacks, and other persistent threats. They also continually test and monitor these systems, ensuring that all the system’s defenses are up to date and working correctly.

A cyber security engineer’s position is often called something else, like a data security engineer, IT security engineer, or Web security engineer. Furthermore, sometimes, the role of a cyber security engineer is rolled into a different IT position, especially in smaller companies that can’t afford a cyber security specialist.

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What Does a Cybersecurity Engineer Do?

The roles and responsibilities of a cyber security engineer include:

• Evaluating the organization’s security needs and establishing best practices and standards accordingly.
• Design, implement, maintain, oversee, and upgrade all security measures to protect organizations’ data, systems, and networks.
• Responding to all security breaches to the network and associated systems.
• Troubleshooting all network and security issues and incidents.
• Routinely conduct penetration testing.
• Taking appropriate security measures ensures the organization's infrastructure and data are safe.
• Conducting testing and scans to identify any vulnerabilities in the network and system.
• Taking an active role in the change management process.
• Assisting in any security breach investigations.
• Handling routine daily administrative tasks such as reporting and keeping open lines of communication with the organization’s appropriate departments.

Note that a cybersecurity engineer's job and responsibilities are similar to those of a security analyst. A cybersecurity engineer designs and builds systems, while a security analyst is more concerned with testing the system and trying to break it.

There is an overlap, however, since many cyber security engineers routinely conduct stress tests and attempt to predict and test weak spots. It’s not unusual to see job listings for a Security Engineer/Analyst, effectively merging both positions.

Before we learn how to become a cybersecurity engineer, let us look at the required qualifications.

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Cybersecurity Engineer Qualifications

In general, a cybersecurity engineer must have the following qualifications:

• Degree in Computer Science, IT, Systems Engineering, or a similar field.
• Two years of work experience in cybersecurity-related duties such as incident detection, response, and forensics.
• Experience with firewalls' functionality, operation, maintenance and endpoint security.
• Proficiency in languages/tools such as C++, Java, Node, Python, Ruby, Go, or Power Shell.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, often under pressure.
• Possess the right eye for detail and outstanding problem-solving skills.
• Up-to-date knowledge of the latest cybersecurity trends and hacker tactics.

Note that different organizations may have more or fewer qualifications or attach lesser or greater importance to the given criteria.

Cybersecurity Engineer Salary

Glassdoor says the average cybersecurity engineer's yearly salary is around $101,000. Senior-level engineers earn an average of $145K annually, while beginners can expect to earn $71K annually. Nice work if you can get it!

In India, a cyber security engineer’s salary averages ₹600,000 a year, while a similar engineer in Australia earns A$95K, and an engineer in the UK can make £47,048 annually.

Of course, the above numbers can fluctuate depending on the demand in your part of the world. Regardless of the range, a cybersecurity engineer can earn some serious pay.

Before understanding how to become a cyber security engineer, let us learn about the demand for the role.

What’s the Demand for Cybersecurity Engineers?

Did You Know?

The global cost of cybercrime is projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015, indicating a substantial rise in financial damages over a decade.

The demand for cybersecurity engineers is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the escalating frequency and sophistication of cyber threats across various industries. This surge reflects the critical need for skilled professionals safeguarding sensitive data and infrastructure.

Despite this demand, a substantial talent gap persists; as of June 2023, there were approximately 663,434 cybersecurity job openings in the United States, highlighting the pressing need for qualified experts.

Organizations increasingly seek cybersecurity engineers to develop robust security protocols, conduct risk assessments, and respond effectively to incidents, underscoring the profession's vital role in today's digital landscape.

Although countless companies are hiring cybersecurity engineers, these ten companies lead the pack in hiring cybersecurity professionals.

• BAE Systems
• Symantec
• Check Point Software
• Lockheed Martin
• FireEye
• Amazon (Amazon Web Services)
• Microsoft
• IBM
• Cisco
• CyberArk Software

So now that you know what a cyber security engineer does, what they make, and how secure the career is, you no doubt are curious about how to become one. 

Let us learn how to become a cyber security engineer with the following career path.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer?

The typical timeline for becoming a cybersecurity engineer depends on your education, experience, and certifications. If you have the required experience, most people can get into an entry-level cybersecurity engineer position within two to four years. For someone who has already worked in IT and has enough experience, a certification is a surefire way to transition into this field quickly.

What Degree is Needed to Be a Cybersecurity Engineer?

To become a cybersecurity engineer, you should have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to cybersecurity. This can include Computer Science, IT, or Software Engineering, to name a few. Earlier, most companies wouldn’t require a candidate to have such a degree if they are skilled enough. Still, the rise in competition has led to an increasing number of organizations adopting this requirement. 

If you are already a graduate in another field, you can opt to continue your education by earning a master’s degree in a field closely related to cybersecurity. This will be especially crucial if you want to become a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer. You can also get certified in similar fields to get a leg up in your career.

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Cybersecurity Books for Beginners

Although obtaining cybersecurity certifications is a wise idea, beginners can make the journey a little easier by engaging in some independent study, namely taking up some appropriate reading material. Consider some of the following books:

• Cybersecurity for Dummies is another in the popular “Dummies” series. This book covers the basics of cybersecurity, such as different cybersecurity threats and ethical hacking.
• Hacking: A Beginner’s Guide is a book that provides everything you need to learn the fundamentals of hacking, including the different types and methods.
• Cybersecurity for Beginners: Do you lack fluency in tech-speak is ideal for readers without a technical background. It explains cyber-related terms in plain English, eschewing the technobabble.
• Practical Malware Analysis is a guide to all things malware-related. It helps you find, analyze, and debug malicious apps.
• AWS Penetration Testing helps you learn about penetration testing principles, including concepts like vulnerability exploitation security assessment, workload security, and encryption.
• Practical Paranoia macOS 11 Security Essentials is a good resource for cybersecurity-minded Mac users. It’s the perfect training manual for securing your work or home macOS system.
• Kali Linux is the foremost penetration testing tool for Linux. This book gets you started on penetration testing and helps you navigate through the over 600 tools that Kali Linux offers.

What Requirements Are There to Becoming a Cybersecurity Engineer?

We have already seen the prerequisites to become a cyber security engineer. For starters, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in any field related to cyber security. Next, you need to have some years of work experience in cybersecurity under your belt.  And the final step is to get a certification. Certification gives you additional skills and knowledge and verifies that you are well-trained for the position you’re applying for. Simplilearn offers several cyber security certifications for you to choose from:

• CompTIA Security+ (Plus) Certification - SY0-701
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Certification
• CEH (V13) - Certified Ethical Hacker
• CISM - Certified Information Security Manager
• CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional

There are plenty of others, but the above list represents some of the more popular ones.

Want to Become a Cybersecurity Engineer?

Becoming a cybersecurity engineer is a rewarding journey that requires a blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and a proactive approach to staying ahead of evolving threats. As organizations increasingly prioritize digital security, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals grows, offering lucrative opportunities in this dynamic field.

Take the next step toward achieving your career goals with the Advanced Executive Program in Cybersecurity. Designed by industry experts, this program equips you with cutting-edge skills in threat detection, risk management, and secure system design. Enroll now to enhance your expertise and establish yourself as a trusted cybersecurity leader!