“True Cyber Security is Preparing for What’s Next, Not what was Last” - Neil Rerup
In a situation, when you feel that your rights as an individual or a citizen is being violated; whom do you seek help from for resolution of the problem? It is often the law enforcement department. The role of Cyber Security Engineers is much like these police officers.
By way of monitoring and implementing network and computer security protocols; Cybersecurity Engineers not only help in safeguarding sensitive information within Cyberspace, but also protect your rights in terms of securing your virtual identity.
Thus, from smallest of business enterprises to the largest of IT giants; organizations rely upon CyberSecurity professionals for ensuring the safety of their users’ data. So how to become a Cyber Security Engineer? Let us try to answer this question.
In this blog, we shall take up the question of how to become a Cyber Security Engineer for beginners? Besides looking at the position of a Cyber Security Engineer in terms of his roles and responsibilities as well as skills required; we shall try to provide a rough picture of the path which you can adopt if you wish to develop expertise as a Cybersecurity Engineer. Additionally, you shall learn how to major in to become a Cyber Security Engineer.
The job of a Cyber Security Engineer is just one among the multiple other job designations available within the field of Cyber Security. If you wish to read more about some of the other prominent Cyber Security jobs, do read our blog on “Top 8 Cyber Security Jobs”
Who is a Cyber Security Engineer?
A Cyber Security Engineer is responsible for different Security Engineer responsibilities, like designing, building and executing secure network solutions in order to provide protection against hacking attempts and advanced Cyber Attacks. They safeguard the data and network of an organization.
A Cyber Security Engineer essentially adopts a proactive role where they utilize their skills and expertise in anticipating computer systems or network vulnerabilities and accordingly developing ways for dealing with the same.

Since these professionals are liable for detecting weaknesses in the system, they perform penetration testing too in order to rectify the flaws. Additionally, they are also responsible for creating firewalls, executing encryption programs as well as finding and updating software.
Cyber Security Engineer: Skills Required
As you do happen to consider the question of how to become a Cyber Security Engineer, it is imperative for you to strategically acquire and develop expertise in consonance with that of a Cyber Security Engineer.
Let us look at some of these skills.
- Knowledge of Cyber Programming Languages like Java, Ruby, C/C++, Go and Python.
- Knowledge of management and architecture of Operating Systems. This is important because operating systems may have their own flaws and vulnerabilities. It will be important for you as a Cyber Security Engineer to be familiar with an Operating System in order to be able to detect any problem.
- As someone seeking to be a Cyber Security Engineer, it will be important for you to develop a deep-rooted understanding of Networking. This will include knowledge of Subnetting, Encryption Technologies, DNS, Routing Protocols, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Voice over IP (VoIP) and other such Network Security Technologies.
- Another crucial technical skill of a Cyber Security Engineer is that he is required to have an extensive understanding of Database Platforms. This will include knowledge of Data Structures, Data Management, Data Dissemination, and so on.
- A Cyber Security Engineer is someone who is required to keep himself continually abreast with all latest developments in the field of Firewall Architecture, Content Filtering as well as Virus Software and Virus Detection.
- Understanding of Computer Code as well as Knowledge of Risk Assessment Technologies.
- Knowledge of Security Breaches and Computer Forensics.
- Proficiency in performing Risk Assessments.

In addition to these hard/technical skills, there are some soft/non-technical skills which are an important part of all literature dealing with the question of how to become a Cyber Security Engineer for beginners.
- A Cyber Security Engineer is often required to convey complicated data and security related issues to colleagues, decision makers as well as high level management. The latter may not have a technical understanding of these problems. Thus, Cyber Security Engineers are required to have excellent communication skills which will enable them to present their viewpoints in the most comprehensible form.
- Cyber Security Engineers are required to be fast learners, creative thinkers as well as have an aptitude for problem solving.
Thus, as you seek to understand how to major in to become a Cybersecurity Engineer; you will definitely look for paths which will enable you to cultivate the above mentioned skills and competencies.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Cyber Security Engineer
Any answer to the question of how to become a Cyber Security Engineer, will be futile without taking into consideration the roles and responsibilities that Cyber Security Engineers are expected to undertake in their professional capacity. Let us look at some of these professional duties.
- A Cyber Security Engineer is responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of security measures and protocols. In some cases, they may have to develop security best practices for the rest of the organization.
- They need to plan, manage, execute, supervise and upgrade the organizational security infrastructure, in order to safeguard the data and resources of the company.
- They detect system vulnerabilities and troubleshoot security and network issues.
- They act as channels of communication between different departments in the course of conduct of their security duties. They are also responsible for informing the decision makers on the best ways for implementing appropriate security protocols.
- While Penetration Testing is a specialized responsibility of an Ethical Hacker or a Pen Tester; Cyber Security Engineers also indulge in the same in order to identify network and system weaknesses.
If you are someone who is interested in the field of Ethical Hacking as well, do read our blog on “Learn Ethical Hacking from Scratch: Know How”
- Cyber Security Engineers perform an important role of regularly monitoring and observing systems and software for any kind of intrusion.
- It is expected that a Cyber Security Engineer should be proficient in digital forensics methods, which will help him to trace intruders and narrow down upon the source of attacks.
- Cyber Security Engineers also do have to undertake miscellaneous administrative duties, along with maintaining continuous liaison with the appropriate departments of the organization.
