How to Be Application Security Engineer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 14, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The lack of application security engineering has led to an increase in cyberattacks, resulting in financial losses and damage to reputations. Application security engineering is a critical component of any organizations security posture. It involves the implementation of secure coding principles, secure design practices, security testing, and proper implementation of secure protocols.

By leveraging these practices, organizations can better protect their applications from malicious actors and safeguard their data. they can reduce the risk of regulatory compliance violations and improve their overall security posture.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming an application security engineer is to earn a bachelors degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. This will provide a foundation of knowledge in programming, networking, systems architecture, and other related topics.
Gain Experience. Prospective application security engineers should gain experience working in the IT industry. This could include internships, freelance work, or working as an entry-level programmer.
Complete Professional Certifications. Professional certifications are a great way to demonstrate competency in application security engineering. Examples of certifications include the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and the Certified Application Security Engineer (CASE).
Pursue Additional Education. Pursuing additional education can be beneficial for application security engineers. A masters degree in computer science or a related field can open up new career opportunities.
Get Hired. Once you have the necessary experience and certifications, you can begin searching for jobs as an application security engineer. Some job postings may require additional qualifications, such as knowledge of specific programming languages or experience with specific security protocols.

In order to stay updated and competent as a Security Engineer, it is essential to stay abreast of the latest trends in the security industry. This can be done by regularly reading industry publications, attending webinars and conferences, and engaging in discussion with other security professionals. staying up to date on the latest security tools and technology is also important.

By staying informed, Security Engineers can remain aware of the newest vulnerabilities and exploits that may affect their systems, as well as understand how to best protect their applications from such threats. Finally, taking courses and training on security topics can help Security Engineers stay current with the latest techniques for defending against cyber-attacks. All of these activities help ensure that Security Engineers remain competent and knowledgeable about the ever-evolving security landscape.

You may want to check Cyber Security Analyst, Network Security Engineer, and Web Security Analyst for alternative.

Job Description

Design and implement application security policies, standards, and procedures to ensure the security of all applications.
Monitor and analyze application security incidents and trends.
Perform risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for mitigation.
Develop and test security controls to protect applications from unauthorized access.
Develop secure coding guidelines and provide guidance to software developers on secure coding practices.
Train developers on secure coding techniques and review code for vulnerabilities.
Provide expertise on secure application architecture and design.
Work collaboratively with software developers, IT staff, and business stakeholders to ensure applications meet security requirements.
Research emerging threats and vulnerabilities and recommend appropriate countermeasures.
Stay up-to-date on the latest security technologies, trends, and best practices.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of common security protocols, such as SSL/TLS, IPSec, and Kerberos.
Proficiency in coding languages such as C/C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, and PHP.
Understanding of web application architectures and development frameworks.
Experience with web security principles, such as authentication, authorization, and encryption.
Knowledge of network and application security techniques, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability scanning.
Familiarity with cloud infrastructure and security, such as AWS and Azure.
Ability to analyze system logs, network traffic, and other data sources for potential security risks.
Understanding of software vulnerabilities and remediation strategies.
Experience with security tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and Wireshark.
Ability to develop security policies and procedures.
Excellent communication skills to collaborate with other teams and stakeholders.

Security Engineers are highly sought after in today's digital world, as organizations face more sophisticated cyber threats than ever before. Their ability to protect an organization's data, systems, and networks from malicious attacks is invaluable. The most important skill for a Security Engineer is their knowledge of multiple programming languages and network security protocols.

Knowing how to write secure code and identify potential vulnerabilities can help prevent an attack from occurring. In addition, they must be able to set up and configure firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures to protect against cyber threats. Finally, Security Engineers must also be proficient in developing security policies and procedures to ensure the organization is protected from unauthorized access.

All of these skills combined make Security Engineers invaluable assets to any organization.

Senior Security Consultant, Video Surveillance Security Technician, and Information Assurance Security Analyst are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What security protocols do you have experience with?
How do you ensure secure applications when developing them?
What techniques do you use for secure code reviews?
How would you approach troubleshooting an application security issue?
How do you keep up with the latest security threats and vulnerabilities?
What qualifications do you have in penetration testing?
Describe a time when you identified and addressed a security vulnerability.
How do you stay up-to-date on application security best practices?
What tools and technologies do you use to protect against security threats?
What strategies would you use to secure a web application?

Common Tools in Industry

Nessus. Nessus is a vulnerability scanner used to identify potential security threats on an organizations network. (Example: Nessus can be used to detect open ports and services that may be exploited by malicious attackers).
Wireshark. Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer used to investigate the nature and content of network traffic on a local or wide area network. (Example: Wireshark can be used to analyze network protocols, assess network performance, and investigate malicious activity).
Burp Suite. Burp Suite is a comprehensive suite of web application security testing tools used to assess the security of web applications. (Example: Burp Suite can be used to test for common web application vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and parameter tampering).
Nmap. Nmap is a port scanner used to discover open ports and services on a network. (Example: Nmap can be used to discover hosts on a network and identify their operating systems and services).
Metasploit. Metasploit is an offensive security tool used to exploit known vulnerabilities in order to gain access to a target system. (Example: Metasploit can be used to launch attacks against systems with known vulnerabilities in order to gain access).

Professional Organizations to Know

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project)
ISSA (Information Systems Security Association)
SANS Institute
Cloud Security Alliance
IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals)
ISC2 (Information Systems Security Certification Consortium)
ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association)
Null (The Open Security Community)
SAFECode (Software Assurance Forum for Excellence in Code)
USENIX (Advanced Computing Systems Association)

We also have Wireless Network Security Engineer, Business Continuity & Security Analyst, and Information Security Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Application Security. The process of protecting applications from unauthorized access and malicious attacks. This includes measures such as encryption, identity and access management, secure coding practices, and threat detection and prevention.
Threat Detection. The process of monitoring for the presence of malicious activities or vulnerabilities that can be exploited to damage an application or system.
Risk Assessment. A systematic process to identify, assess, and prioritize threats and vulnerabilities within an organizations applications.
Secure Coding Practices. Guidelines and best practices for writing secure and reliable code for applications.
Identity and Access Management (IAM). A security system that manages user identities and their associated access rights across multiple systems and applications.
Penetration Testing. A type of security testing that attempts to identify and exploit weaknesses in an application or system.
Encryption. The process of encoding data so it is unreadable by anyone except those with access to an encryption key.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary responsibilities of an Application Security Engineer?

The primary responsibilities of an Application Security Engineer include designing, developing and implementing secure software and applications, monitoring for threats and vulnerabilities, performing security assessments, and providing security guidance and advice.

What qualifications are needed to become an Application Security Engineer?

To become an Application Security Engineer, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field is typically required, in addition to knowledge of software development, database management, and coding languages such as Java, C++, and Python. Certifications in fields such as CompTIA Security+ or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are also beneficial.

What type of environment does an Application Security Engineer work in?

An Application Security Engineer typically works in an office environment or remotely. Depending on the organization, they may be part of a larger security team or work independently.

What tools does an Application Security Engineer use?

Application Security Engineers use a variety of tools to perform their job, including static and dynamic application security testing (SAST and DAST) tools, web application firewalls (WAFs), penetration testing tools, vulnerability scanners, and more.

What is the average salary for an Application Security Engineer?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an Application Security Engineer is $112,411 per year. Salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and employer.

Web Resources

How to Become an Application Security Engineer - wgu.edu www.wgu.edu
Certified Application Security Engineer (CASE.Net) - Formatech www.formatechedu.com
Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Certification AZ-500 - Training www.ciat.edu