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

Mar 20, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Security testing is an important process in software development that helps to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in a system. It is an effective way of ensuring that the system is secure from unauthorized access and malicious attacks. The cause of security testing is the need to protect a system and its data from external threats such as hackers and malicious software.

The effect is that a secure system helps to maintain the integrity of data, ensuring that it is only accessed and used by those with the appropriate authorization. Security testing also helps to detect potential weaknesses in the system that could be exploited, making sure that the system is secure and protected. Related entities include security protocols, encryption, authentication, and authorization.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become a security tester, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. This will give you the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the security testing field.
Get Certifications. Security testing is an evolving field, so it is important to stay up to date with the latest trends. To do this, you should consider getting certified in various security-related topics. This will give you an edge in the job market and make you more competitive.
Get Experience. To become a successful security tester, you will need to have experience in the field. You can gain this experience by interning at a security company or taking on freelance projects. This will help you gain valuable knowledge and skills that will be beneficial when you are ready to apply for security testing jobs.
Apply for Jobs. Once you have the necessary education and experience, you can start applying for security testing jobs. You should focus on positions that require experience and certifications in the field. This will make you a more attractive candidate for employers.
Stay Up to Date. Security testing is an ever-evolving field, so it is important to stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies. Taking online courses, attending conferences, and reading industry magazines can help you stay ahead of the curve.

The security of a system is an extremely important element, and testing it is crucial in order to ensure that it is reliable and efficient. In order to perform effective security testing, it is important to select the right tools and techniques, create a comprehensive test plan, and execute the tests with precision. The most reliable and efficient results can be obtained by utilizing automated tools and processes, such as vulnerability scanners, penetration testing, and application security assessment.

Automated testing can provide a more comprehensive coverage than manual testing, as it can detect both known and unknown vulnerabilities. automated testing can save time and resources, as it does not require manual intervention. Furthermore, automated testing can ensure that the same test is performed on each system in the same way, reducing the risk of inconsistent results.

By utilizing the right tools and techniques, organizations can ensure that their systems remain secure and reliable.

You may want to check Web Tester, Network Tester, and Integration Tester for alternative.

Job Description

Penetration Tester: Responsible for identifying security vulnerabilities in networks, systems, and applications through manual and automated testing.
Security Analyst: Responsible for analyzing the security posture of an organization, including identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Security Architect: Responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining secure networks, systems, and applications.
Network Security Engineer: Responsible for deploying, configuring, and managing network security devices such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and virtual private networks.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst: Responsible for monitoring security events and responding to security incidents.
Incident Response Analyst: Responsible for performing forensic investigations and responding to security incidents.
Compliance Auditor: Responsible for conducting audits to ensure an organization is in compliance with regulatory and industry standards.
Application Security Engineer: Responsible for designing, developing, and testing secure software applications.
Vulnerability Assessor: Responsible for identifying and analyzing potential vulnerabilities in systems, applications, and networks.
Security Researcher: Responsible for researching security threats, vulnerabilities, and trends in the cyber security industry.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of security testing techniques, such as fuzzing, penetration testing, network scanning, and risk assessment.
Proficiency in coding languages such as Java, C++, and Python.
Understanding of different operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Knowledge of security protocols, such as SSL and TLS.
Ability to identify vulnerabilities in applications and systems.
Ability to create reports on security issues and recommendations for improvement.
Ability to develop tools and scripts to automate security testing tasks.
Experience with vulnerability scanners and network analyzers.
Knowledge of security standards and compliance regulations.
Understanding of authentication and authorization techniques.

Security testers are essential professionals for ensuring the safety and security of computer systems and networks. They are responsible for identifying and assessing any potential security risks within a system, as well as any areas that could be improved upon. The most important skill that a security tester must possess is an in-depth knowledge of security protocols, such as firewalls, encryption, authentication, access control, and intrusion detection.

They must also be highly analytical and able to identify potential vulnerabilities in a system quickly and accurately. Security testers must also have a good understanding of computer networking concepts, software development life cycles, and system architecture. they must possess excellent communication skills in order to collaborate with other teams and stakeholders effectively.

All of these skills help security testers to ensure that computer systems and networks are secure, reliable, and compliant with security requirements.

Accessibility Tester, Application Tester, and Performance Tester are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in security testing?
What security protocols and tools are you familiar with?
How would you identify and prioritize security risks?
Describe the security testing process you would use.
What methods do you use to remain up-to-date on security threats?
How would you assess the security of a web application?
What challenges have you faced while performing security testing?
How do you ensure that all security tests are performed accurately?
What strategies would you use to secure an organizations network?
How would you handle a situation where the security tests revealed a critical flaw?

Common Tools in Industry

Burp Suite. A web security testing tool used to identify vulnerabilities in web applications. (eg: example - used to test cross-site scripting and session hijacking vulnerabilities)
Nmap. A network security scanner used to detect and map open ports, services, and operating systems on a network. (eg: example - used to detect unauthorized access attempts, uncover vulnerable services, and filter out malicious traffic)
Wireshark. A packet analyzer used to capture, inspect, and analyze network traffic. (eg: example - used to detect network issues, analyze protocols, and troubleshoot network problems)
OWASP ZAP. An open-source web application security scanner used to identify security vulnerabilities in web applications. (eg: example - used to scan for common web application vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF)
Nessus. A vulnerability scanner used to detect system security weaknesses and misconfigurations. (eg: example - used to identify missing patches, weak passwords, and open ports)
Metasploit. An open-source penetration testing framework used to exploit known vulnerabilities. (eg: example - used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in order to gain access to a system)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
The International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
SANS Institute
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
The British Computer Society (BCS)
The Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP)

We also have Usability Tester, Compatibility Tester, and Exploratory Tester jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Security Assessment. Systematic process of identifying, analyzing and evaluating the security of an organization's information systems, infrastructure and applications.
Vulnerability Scanning. Process of detecting and identifying weaknesses in computer systems, networks and/or applications.
Penetration Testing. Simulated cyber attack on an organization's IT infrastructure to identify security vulnerabilities and potential risks.
Risk Analysis. Process of analyzing potential risks to an organization and its assets in order to determine mitigating strategies and countermeasures.
Threat Modeling. Analyzing the potential threats to an organization's data, systems and applications, in order to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Data Protection. Safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access, alteration or misuse.
Code Review. Examination of source code for identifying security vulnerabilities, coding errors, and defects.
Configuration Management. Process of managing changes to IT systems in order to ensure reliability, security and compliance with standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Security Tester? A1: A Security Tester is a professional who performs security testing to evaluate the security of a system or application. Q2: What are the objectives of Security Testing? A2: The objectives of security testing include assessing the system's ability to protect itself and data from unauthorized access, integrity of data, and confidentiality of data. Q3: What are the common tools used by Security Testers? A3: Common tools used by Security Testers include network scanners, web application scanners, vulnerability scanners, penetration testing tools, and static code analysis tools. Q4: What are the different types of Security Testing? A4: The different types of Security Testing include Static Testing, Dynamic Testing, Network Security Testing, System Security Testing, and Database Security Testing. Q5: How often should Security Tests be performed? A5: Security Tests should generally be performed at least once a year, depending on the organization's security needs and risk profile.

Web Resources

10 Types of Application Security Testing Tools: When and How to insights.sei.cmu.edu
(PDF) Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Security Tester ... www.academia.edu
Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE) - Take www.cdse.edu