Network and Security Engineer
On this page
- What's it like to be a Network and Security Engineer?
- How to become a Network and Security Engineer
- Top skills and experience for Network and Security Engineers
What's it like to be a Network and Security Engineer?
A Network and Security Engineer ensures the integrity and smooth operation of an organization's IT infrastructure. This role entails designing, implementing and troubleshooting network-related issues. They may also develop secure data communication systems and protocols. Network and Security Engineers often work in sectors such as telecommunications, financial services, within large corporations or IT consultancies that require robust and secure network systems. To fulfill their duties, they typically work collaboratively with other IT professionals, network administrators and cybersecurity analysts. This career requires individuals to have a deep understanding of both network infrastructure and security protocols to handle potential threats and keep the digital environment safe.
Tasks and duties
- Designing, implementing and managing an organization's network infrastructure.
- Monitoring the performance of the network, troubleshoot issues and outages and forecast network growth.
- Developing comprehensive network security measures to protect data, software and hardware.
- Configuring and installing various network devices and services, such as routers, switches and firewalls.
- Analyzing, troubleshooting and correcting network problems remotely and onsite.
- Collaborating with executive team members, decision makers and stakeholders to define business requirements and goals.
- Maintaining thorough documentation of all network elements, diagrams and backup configurations.
How to become a Network and Security Engineer
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field with a focus on networking and cybersecurity.
- Gain hands-on experience through internships, entry-level positions, or projects focused on network infrastructure and cybersecurity.
- Pursue industry certifications such as CCNA, CompTIA Security+, or CISSP to validate technical skills.
- Develop expertise in network design, implementation, troubleshooting, and cybersecurity protocols like firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems (IDS).
