Hiring a Network Security Engineer: Job Description, Pay, & More

Maintaining great cybersecurity is more important than ever these days, with businesses losing an average of $46,000 dollars each due to cybercrime in 2023 alone. And any company that wants to protect itself against vulnerabilities needs experienced network security engineers to monitor and defend their systems.

If you’re hiring a network security engineer for your team, we have some helpful tips for how to hire the right one. Here are a few of the things you’ll learn:

The difference between a network security engineer and other kinds of engineers
Standard job responsibilities for a network security engineer
Skills and qualifications necessary for a top-tier engineer
Average salary for a network security engineer

Let’s get started.

What is a network security engineer?

Network security engineers play an essential role in the field of cybersecurity. They are the first line of defense against cyberattacks and protect their company’s network by maintaining essential hardware and software, configuring network monitoring tools—like routers and firewalls—and resolving any network security issues that occur.

Most network security engineers start out in information technology (IT) support roles, gain relevant experience and certifications, and then transition into the engineer role after a few years in the field.

other types of Security engineers

Network security engineers specifically focus on protecting a network from cyber threats, but there are many other roles that appear similar to a network security engineer. But you should be aware of the primary differences between each of these engineers as you seek to hire the right skill set:

Network Engineer: Designs and maintains the security and structure of a network, installs network equipment, and troubleshoots network performance issues
Security Engineer: Instructs the company in potential security threats, conducts security risk assessments, and implements security protocols
Cybersecurity Engineer: Creates systems to defend against cyberattacks and data breaches, develops security policies and best practices, and responds to cyber threats

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Network Security engineer job description

When hiring a network security engineer for your IT department, you’ll want to include a detailed job description. This should contain typical duties and day-to-day tasks as well as the skills and qualifications necessary to succeed in the role.

job Responsibilities

While the industry in which they operate may vary, network security engineers have fairly standard job descriptions. Some typical duties are:

Safeguarding network systems
Monitoring the network for vulnerabilities and unauthorized access
Creating security policies to help protect sensitive data and information
Acting as the first line of defense against network security breaches
Maintaining and updating essential software and hardware
Conducting regular audits of network security
Reporting on the network’s status and any breaches that have occurred
Educating the company on network security best practices

qualifications

For entry to mid-level network security engineers, look for job seekers who hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or a related field. If you’re hiring for a more experienced engineer who can lead teams and provide niche expertise in network security, consider candidates with a master’s degree or the equivalent experience.

Alongside education, take certifications into consideration, especially for mid to high-level positions. Though not necessary for entry-level roles, certifications in IT procedures and security tools show both measurable experience and the drive to grow.

skills

Network security engineers need a combination of hard and soft skills to successfully defend networks against cyberthreats. These skills can include:

Working knowledge of various operating systems, networks, and IT infrastructure
The ability to build and troubleshoot networks
Experience with security hardware and software (routing, firewalls, switching, antivirus/intrusion detection systems, vulnerability scanners, VPNs)
Basic programming knowledge (Python, Java, or C++)
Analytical problem-solving

network Security engineer salary

The average pay for a network security engineer in the United States is $88,322 according to Zippia. In California, this average climbs by about $20,000. Entry-level hires can expect salary ranges to begin around $64,000 a year, and experienced network security engineers can earn upwards of $120,000 annually.

Hire network Security engineers with insight global

Network security engineers are integral to ensuring that your company’s network remains safe from cyberattacks before threats even occur. Hiring the right engineers means taking a close look at potential candidates’ skills and qualifications and making sure you’re able to provide your candidates with a clear job description and salary range.

Insight Global can help you hire the right network security engineers for your company. Partner with us to find the perfect fit for your team who will not only maintain but strengthen your cybersecurity procedures!