Network Security Engineer | Career Path

Learn about the Network Security Engineer career path in cybersecurity. Discover key responsibilities, required skills, average salary expectations, and relevant certifications for this role.

Overview

Specializes in securing network infrastructure by designing secure network architectures, configuring security devices like firewalls and routers, and implementing network segmentation and monitoring strategies.

Responsibilities

  • Focus on securing network infrastructure
  • designing secure network architectures
  • configuring firewalls
  • routers
  • switches
  • VPNs
  • IDS/IPS implementation and tuning
  • network segmentation
  • monitoring network traffic for threats

Required Skills

  • Deep understanding of TCP/IP
  • routing protocols (BGP, OSPF)
  • network hardware (Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto)
  • VPN technologies (IPSec, SSL)
  • IDS/IPS systems
  • network monitoring tools (Wireshark, SolarWinds)
  • network segmentation strategies

Salary Expectations

$95,000 - $160,000+ USD

Relevant Certifications

No specific certifications listed for this role yet.

Common Career Pathway

Often evolves from Network Administrator or Network Engineer roles, specializing in security aspects. Can also come from Security Analyst roles with strong networking skills.

Learning Roadmap

Foundational Networking (Network+) -> Vendor-specific networking (CCNA) -> Security+ -> Deep dive into firewalls/VPNs/IDS -> Advanced networking concepts -> Security certifications (CCNP Security, PCNSE).

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