As a cyber security engineer, I work tirelessly to protect computer networks from hackers. It sounds boring, but trust me! I have challenges and opportunities to keep me engaged in the tasks.
To help you picture it clearly, I will show you a day in the life of a cybersecurity engineer. Let’s see what awaits me every day!
Who is a Cyber Security Engineer?
A cyber security engineer helps keep organizations safe from cyberattacks and hacking threats. More specifically, they design and build secure network solutions to protect the systems.
Besides, they use special techniques to make sure the networks are robust and safe. They also work with other IT professionals to fix problems.
With more advanced technology, companies need skilled employees like cyber security engineers to protect their systems from cyber criminals. It’s a rewarding career with a good salary and plenty of opportunities to grow.
My working hours vary depending on the projects, but I’m always busy. Sometimes I need to respond quickly to security incidents.
Moreover, the cybersecurity environment is constantly evolving. Thus, I need to update new threats and technologies.
At Work
As a cybersecurity engineer, I have a long duty list to work on. Here is what I do every day.
1. Review Security Alerts & Logs
One of my primary tasks is to check security logs and alerts. The logs provide valuable data about how my company’s systems operate, while the alerts help detect suspicious activities.
Many specialized tools assist me in dealing with the logs and alerts. I rely on native services, like Azure Monitor, which allows me to collect data from Azure resources.
Microsoft Defender is also helpful, especially for Cloud. It provides notifications and alerts by gathering and analyzing log data.
There’s also a tool called Microsoft Sentinel. It’s like a smart system that helps me manage and respond to all the security alerts effectively.
Furthermore, this tool can detect when something is wrong. It even shows me where the threat is coming from and helps me stop it.
Those tasks are tricky, but I can use those tools to keep the systems safe from cyber threats. They aid in ensuring that the defenses stay strong as well.
2. Assess And Test Network
I’m also in charge of assessing and testing the network. This task involves performing assessments to identify vulnerabilities in the systems.
Plus, I work on developing and implementing secure network solutions. These steps help build a foundation to enhance defenses for the systems.
Moreover, I manage audit and security technology systems to ensure the network remains protected.
3. Security Design
Security design is an integral part of my work. I’m responsible for building and maintaining security features. Then, they can safeguard the systems against cyberattacks.
To accomplish this goal, I continuously monitor and update security measures to stay one step ahead of new and emerging threats. Just like how you update your favorite mobile apps to make them better.
Continuous updates help me prevent “zero-day threats” and other sneaky activities made by cyber criminals.
You may wonder, what are these zero-day threats? Well, they’re like secret attacks that hackers create using advanced techniques. They call them “zero-day” because even developers can’t expect them until they happen.
But fear not! I can detect them by keeping the defenses strong. Then, I will stop them before they cause any harm.
4. Train Employee
I also play a role in training employees. I share valuable knowledge with them about cyber security and teach them how to keep the systems safe from cyber criminals.
Through these training sessions, we create a culture of security awareness. When everyone is informed about the best techniques, we become a strong line of defense against cyber threats.
I love seeing other employees become active participants in protecting the systems. Together, we can create a safer digital environment for our company.
After Work
After work, my commitment to cyber security doesn’t end. Instead, I spend time keeping myself up to date with the latest IT trends.
For example, I like to conduct research. Then, I can stay informed about hacking techniques. It’s an excellent way to help me develop effective strategies to defend the systems.
Additionally, I expand my knowledge by joining online classes and workshops. These activities allow me to learn new skills. It’s then easier for me to stay at the forefront of cyber security advancements.
Of course, relaxation is essential, too. So, I engage in activities that help me recharge, like spending time with loved ones and walking in nature.
Essential Skills
I rely on various skills to do my job effectively. Let me break down some of these skills right here.
First, I need technical skills. It means I know how to code and work with operating systems. Depending on the organization, I may need more extensive knowledge of security protocols and cybersecurity tools.
Problem-solving skills are also important because I must assess and solve cybersecurity issues. So, I find solutions that fix the problem and prevent it from happening again.
Mathematical skills are needed too. I use concepts like cryptography and algebra to create programs that protect computer networks.
Analytical skills are another skill set needed for my job. Since I have to analyze information to make crucial decisions, analytical skills help me handle security incidents effectively.
In addition, teamwork is essential when working in this position because I often work with other experts to solve problems together. We have the same goal of protecting and developing our systems.
Conclusion
I’ve shared my experiences and responsibilities as a cyber security engineer. My ultimate goal is to protect computer networks and upgrade them continuously.
Hopefully, this article has helped you learn everything you need about this career path. Thank you for reading!