Author: Jeslyn Guo
Today, cybersecurity is of utmost importance. Businesses and organizations are constantly looking to increase their system security by hiring individuals with cybersecurity knowledge. With the rise of cybercrime and increasing online data, there are more open job posts than people to fill them now. It is predicted that in the coming years millions of security jobs will go unfilled. Thus, there has never been a better time to consider a career in cybersecurity, as the job opportunities are endless.
Today we will focus on what it looks like to work as a Cybersecurity Engineer. They are often most sought after in the cybersecurity field and are extremely important in maintaining system safety. Also known as an IT Security Engineer, they primarily are tasked with developing secure network solutions, engineering systems to secure networks, and managing intrusion and security technology systems. Some other responsibilities include penetration testing and troubleshooting systems.
Cybersecurity Engineers ensure that an organization’s data and infrastructure are well protected. Google, Apple, and Microsoft are among top organizations actively seeking out cybersecurity engineers. All organizations are interviewing and seeking out professionals in this field, and due to the shortage of qualified individuals, demand is high. Some of the hard skills needed for this position include ethical hacking, knowledge of coding languages such as Python, C++, and Ruby, as well as an understanding of firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and much more. Soft skills include collaboration and quick communication, as oftentimes security engineers are part of a larger security team.
As is the case with any industry, having the proper education is the first step in becoming a successful security engineer. After a degree, common certifications that will help boost job prospects include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certifications. As cybersecurity engineers are the first line of defense against cybercriminals, it is important to have the training and hard skills necessary to adequately defend data.
Flawed security software can lead to malware, ransomware attacks, and the loss of sensitive data. This is why cybersecurity cannot be overlooked, and why so many organizations are looking to strengthen security teams. It is never too late to get started learning about cybersecurity. If becoming a cybersecurity engineer is something you want to pursue, start by checking out the other resources on our website!