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

Jul 9, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The increasing prevalence of digital technology has led to an increased need for cybersecurity network security engineers. As organizations continue to digitize more of their operations, they are vulnerable to malicious cyberattacks that can disrupt their operations, diminish their brand reputation and cause financial losses. Cybersecurity network security engineers play an essential role in preventing and mitigating such attacks by designing, implementing and maintaining secure networks.

By hardening networks, they ensure that malicious actors are unable to access critical data and systems, while also making sure authorized users are able to access the resources they need. As the demand for cybersecurity network security engineers continues to grow, organizations must invest in hiring, training and retaining qualified personnel in order to protect their data and systems from emerging threats.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer is to obtain a bachelors degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. This will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills required for this profession.
Gain Professional Experience. Once you have obtained a bachelors degree, it is important to gain professional experience in the field of cybersecurity. This can be done through internships or entry-level positions, such as a network administrator or security analyst.
Get Certified. You should also consider getting certified in network security. This will demonstrate to employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills for the job.
Pursue Additional Certifications. Once you have obtained your initial certification, you should consider pursuing additional certifications, such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
Stay Up-to-Date. It is important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in cybersecurity. This can be done through reading industry publications, attending conferences, and participating in online discussion forums.
Network. It is also important to network with other professionals in the field. This can help you stay informed of new developments and will also help you find job opportunities.
Find a Job. Once you have obtained the necessary qualifications and experience, it is time to start looking for job openings. You can search for positions on job boards or contact potential employers directly.

The implementation of reliable and capable Cybersecurity Network Security Engineers is essential for the protection of digital assets from malicious actors. This is because Cybersecurity Network Security Engineers are responsible for monitoring, detecting and responding to security threats such as malware, viruses, spyware, and cyber attacks. By understanding the different attack vectors, they can deploy the appropriate defense mechanisms to protect the network from malicious activities.

they develop, design, and implement comprehensive security policies and procedures to ensure that the network remains secure. Furthermore, they also conduct regular security audits to identify and address any potential security vulnerabilities. having reliable and capable Cybersecurity Network Security Engineers in place can help protect digital assets from malicious actors, as well as provide peace of mind that the network is secure.

You may want to check Cybersecurity Governance Analyst, Cybersecurity Educator, and Cybersecurity Compliance Officer for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and manage security policies, standards, and procedures.
Monitor, detect, and respond to cyber threats and security incidents.
Analyze and investigate security vulnerabilities, malware, and other malicious activities.
Implement and maintain secure network architectures, firewalls, intrusion prevention/detection systems, and other security controls.
Monitor and analyze network traffic for anomalies and possible threats.
Create and administer user accounts, permissions, and access control lists.
Perform regular system audits to identify potential security issues and vulnerabilities.
Monitor compliance with security policies and industry regulations.
Provide technical guidance and security awareness training to system users.
Collaborate with other IT teams to ensure secure system configuration and integration.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of security protocols, algorithms and technologies
Expertise in firewall, intrusion detection and prevention systems
Experience with network security tools and technologies such as IPS/IDS, SIEM, and DLP
Knowledge of network technologies such as TCP/IP, routing and switching
Understanding of security standards and best practices such as ISO 27001/27002, NIST, COBIT, and PCI-DSS
Strong understanding of security threats and vulnerabilities
Ability to develop and implement security policies and procedures
Familiarity with cloud security solutions such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform
Understanding of vulnerability scanning and patch management
Knowledge of software development processes and techniques
Ability to monitor networks for security threats and respond to incidents
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer is a vital role in any organization, as it is responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining network security systems. Having the right skillset is essential for this role, as it requires a deep understanding of the technologies and processes involved in protecting networks from cyber threats. One of the most important skills to have is an advanced understanding of the technical components of various networks and their interconnectivity.

This understanding enables the engineer to identify vulnerabilities in the system and develop effective security measures to protect them. having an in-depth knowledge of current cyber threats and the latest security technologies can enable the engineer to develop preventive measures and strategies to protect their network from malicious attacks. Lastly, a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer should also possess excellent communication and collaboration skills in order to effectively work with other members of IT teams.

All these skills are necessary for an effective Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer to ensure that the organization's networks remain safe from cyber attacks.

Cybersecurity Cloud Security Engineer, Cybersecurity Forensics Investigator, and Cybersecurity Network Engineer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with network security architecture design?
How have you implemented network security tools and technologies in the past?
What experience do you have with identifying, monitoring, and responding to potential security threats?
Describe your experience in developing security policies, standards, and procedures.
How have you used data encryption technologies in the past?
Can you explain how you would go about secure configuration management?
Are you familiar with forensic investigation techniques and tools?
What methods have you used to monitor network activities for suspicious behavior?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest network security trends and threats?
Describe a time where you had to troubleshoot a complex network security issue.

Common Tools in Industry

Wireshark. Network protocol analyzer for monitoring and troubleshooting network traffic (e. g. Sniffing out malicious packets).
Firewall. A security system that controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic (e. g. Configuring rules to block malicious IP addresses).
Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS). Systems that detect and prevent malicious activities on the network (e. g. Scanning for malware signatures).
Network Access Control (NAC). A system that restricts access to a network based on predefined policies (e. g. Blocking unauthorized devices from connecting to the network).
Vulnerability Scanner. A tool that scans a network for known vulnerabilities (e. g. Identifying missing security patches).
Password Cracking Tools. Tools used to crack passwords (e. g. Bruteforce attack).
Cryptography Tools. Tools used to encrypt data or messages (e. g. AES encryption).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Information System Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
SANS Institute
The Open Group

We also have Cybersecurity Developer, Cybersecurity Software Developer, and Cybersecurity Data Scientist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Data Loss Prevention (DLP). A type of security technology used to prevent the unauthorized transfer of data from a system or network.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS). A system designed to detect malicious activity on a computer network or system.
Access Control List (ACL). A list of permissions that determine who can access certain resources, such as files or directories.
Firewall. A type of network security device used to control traffic between networks or computers by enforcing certain rules.
Network Security Protocols. Rules and procedures used to protect a network from unauthorized access, such as IPsec, SSL, SSH, and TLS.
Network Segmentation. The process of dividing a large computer network into smaller parts in order to improve security and performance.
Network Monitoring. The process of monitoring a computer network for suspicious activity or changes in performance.
Patch Management. The process of keeping software up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Risk Assessment. The process of analyzing potential threats to a system or network and identifying appropriate countermeasures.
Vulnerability Scanning. The process of scanning a computer system for weaknesses that can be exploited by malicious actors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer?

A Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer is a professional responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining secure networks to protect an organization's data, systems and networks from cyber threats.

What qualifications are required for a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer?

Qualifications required for a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer typically include a bachelors degree in computer science, information security, or related field, as well as a certification such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

What are some of the duties of a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer?

Duties of a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer include designing, implementing and monitoring secure networks, evaluating and troubleshooting network security issues, and performing regular security assessments.

How long does it take to become a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer?

It usually takes 2-4 years of experience in the field of cybersecurity to become a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer.

What salary can I expect as a Cybersecurity Network Security Engineer?

Salaries for Cybersecurity Network Security Engineers vary based on experience and geographic location, but the national average is $90,000 per year.

Web Resources

Cybersecurity vs. Information Security vs. Network Security onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu
Cybersecurity | CSULB www.cpace.csulb.edu
Differences in Network Security vs Cyber Security [2022] - ICOHS College icohs.edu