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Career role

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers protect network infrastructure. You'll configure firewalls, implement VPNs, monitor network traffic, and defend against network-based attacks. This role blends networking and security expertise.

IntermediateAlso known as Network Security Administrator, Firewall Engineer
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Why choose this role?

Solid role if you love networking and want to add security. Networks are fundamental to every organization, ensuring steady demand. Good work-life balance compared to SOC or IR roles.

Work environment

Setting
Corporate IT departments, MSSPs, telecom companies
Schedule
Standard business hours with on-call rotation
Remote work
Some remote work, but on-site presence often required for hardware
Experience
Mid-level (2-5 years in networking or security)

Education requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field preferred

Key responsibilities

  • Configure and manage firewalls (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco)
  • Implement and maintain VPN solutions
  • Monitor network traffic for anomalies
  • Perform network security assessments
  • Design and implement network segmentation
  • Respond to network-based security incidents

Required skills

TCP/IP and networking fundamentalsFirewall and IDS/IPS technologiesVPN protocols (IPSec, SSL)Network packet analysisRouting and switching

Career path

  1. Previous roles
    Network AdministratorJunior Security EngineerIT Support
  2. This role
    Network Security Engineer
    Time to next level: 3-5 years
  3. Next roles
    Senior Network Security EngineerNetwork Security ArchitectSecurity Engineer

Certifications we recommend

Our editorial picks, based on what each exam covers. They don't show how often employers ask for a certification.

Entry2

CompTIA

Entry

CompTIA Security+

Vendor-neutral proof of core security administration skills, tested partly through performance-based tasks and mapped by CompTIA to DoD 8140 work roles

Exam
$439
Study
3-6 months

CompTIA

Entry

CompTIA Network+

Vendor-neutral proof that you can address, configure, secure and troubleshoot business networks, tested with performance-based tasks on a 90-minute exam

Exam
$399
Study
3-4 months

Advanced1