Cybersecurity engineer

Fraudulent SMS, phishing e-mails or even spoofing, we have all, at one time or another, been the target of a cyberattack. These threats, which are becoming more numerous and sophisticated, spare no one — not individuals, not businesses. Cybersecurity is no longer the business of a few isolated experts: it is becoming a shared responsibility. In this fight, businesses rely on cybersecurity engineers to anticipate, detect, and counter attacks. Let's discover this exciting job together!

I - What is a cybersecurity engineer?

Definition of the role

Within an organization, whether it is a company or an administration, the cybersecurity engineer monitors and protects information systems and IT infrastructures, which are essential for the proper functioning of the activity. To do this, it designs and deploys devices to prevent cyberattacks.

His expertise leads him to anticipate the maneuvers of cybercriminals and to identify the flaws that could be exploited, and then strengthen defenses of the system.

In the event of a proven cyber attack, it must contain the threat, minimize the damage and ensure the resumption of operations, thus ensuring business continuity.

Missions

The missions of a cybersecurity engineer are varied and differ depending on the size of the company, the sector of activity or even the level of maturity in terms of cybersecurity. Here are the main ones:

• Assess risks : Identify potential threats, analyze information system vulnerabilities and estimate their impact in order to establish an appropriate protection strategy.
• Define and implement the security policy : Develop rules, procedures and best practices to secure infrastructures, and data.
• Set up and maintain security devices : Install and manage firewalls, antivirus, intrusion detection systems (IDS), VPNs, and other security tools.
• Conduct audits and penetration tests : Check the robustness of the systems in place, detect faults and propose corrective actions.
• Monitor systems in real time : Ensure constant monitoring via supervision tools to detect any suspicious activity or attacks in progress.
• Responding to security incidents : In the event of an attack, intervene quickly to contain the threat, analyze the origin of the incident, and restore services as quickly as possible.
• Raise awareness among employees : Implement training campaigns to strengthen the safety culture within the company and limit human errors.
• Ensure technological and regulatory monitoring : Stay informed of new threats, technological developments and legal obligations to ensure continuous protection.

II - Skills and training requirements

Technical skills: networks, systems, software

This job requires a certain number of technical skills. Let's discover them together:

• Networks and protocols: A thorough understanding of OSI and TCP/IP models is essential, as is mastery of the most common communication protocols such as HTTP, DNS, SMTP, and SSH. You also need to know how to configure and secure network infrastructure elements such as firewalls, VPNs or routers.
• Operating systems: Mastery of Windows, Linux/Unix and MacOS environments. Configuring and securing shell commands.
• Cryptography: Knowledge of symmetric (AES, 3DES) and asymmetric (RSA, ECC) encryption algorithms. The management of public key infrastructures (PKI) and digital certificates are also an integral part of the business.
• Penetration testing and pentesting: Mastery of tools and frameworks dedicated to penetration testing. Good writing skills are also expected to write clear and accurate vulnerability reports.
• Vulnerability analysis and patch management: After a test phase, it is necessary to analyze the results and, if necessary, to prioritize and apply the necessary corrections.
• Cloud and virtualization: Securing cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, and GCP (identity and access management, encryption, virtual private network configuration) is essential. Familiarity with containers (Docker, Kubernetes) and their security mechanisms is also required.
• Automation and scripting: Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell to automate detection and response tasks is a real asset.
• Norms and regulations: An understanding of standards such as ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, RGPD, and NIST CSF is essential. The ability to establish and audit security policies consistent with these frameworks is also expected.

Soft Skills

Les Soft Skills are just as important as technical skills. Here are the ones that are essential for this job:

• Clear and effective communication : By collaborating with non-expert interlocutors, it is necessary to know how to express yourself clearly and in an understandable way.
• Stress and crisis management : Cyber security incidents can be sudden. You have to keep your cool, analyze the situation quickly and make the right decisions even under pressure.
• Analytical and problem solving skills : In the face of threats, critical thinking is essential. You need to know how to identify the causes of an incident and propose concrete and adapted solutions.
• Collaboration and teamwork : Projects often involve several departments (IT, legal, HR...), so you have to know how to cooperate.
• Adaptability and curiosity : The sector is constantly evolving. It is essential to keep up to date with new vulnerabilities, technologies and defense methods.
• Ethics and sense of responsibility : Handling sensitive data requires great moral rigor. A cybersecurity engineer must measure the impact of his choices, in particular on the privacy and security of users.
• Time and priority management : The days are rarely linear. Knowing how to organize your work, prioritize emergencies and remain responsive is fundamental.

III - What studies to become a cybersecurity engineer?

The job of cybersecurity engineer requires a great deal of computer knowledge, complemented by a specialization in system and network security. There is a great diversity of paths to access this profession. Most often, it is advisable during high school to opt for a general baccalaureate with specialties oriented to science or a technological baccalaureate such as STI2D.

Subsequently, several options are possible such as a BTS SIO (SISR option) or a BUT Informatics, which allow us to obtain the first foundations in networking, development and systems. Others opt instead for a preparatory course in order to join an engineering school.

To become an engineer, a Bac +5 level is essential. It can be acquired in Engineering school with a specialization in cybersecurity, either through a Master's degree in computer security. These courses allow you to deepen topics such as cryptography, penetration testing or the management of security incidents.

It is also possible to complete your training with professional certifications (such as CEH, OSCP or ISO 27001) that make it possible to stand out on the job market.

IV — What is the salary for a cybersecurity engineer?

Many factors come into play (missions, sector, scope, scope, size of the company, location, atypical skills, etc.). To give an idea of remuneration, here are forks from Apec according to the following parameters: Cybersecurity engineer F/H, Bac+5 (engineering school), consulting firm with 599 to 1,000 employees, Île-de-France.

• Junior (< 4 years of experience) : 3.7 to 4.5 million euros gross/year
• Confirmed (6—8 years old) : 46.6 to 60.2 million euros gross/year
• Senior (9—16 years) : 49.9 to 67.9 million euros gross/year

For a more accurate estimate, adapted to your profile and our projects, we invite you to consult our job offers.

V — What are the career prospects for a cybersecurity engineer?

In a context where digital security has become a priority, there are many opportunities for development. After a few years of experience, an engineer can access positions of responsibility: security manager, cybersecurity project manager, or manager of a SOC team (Security Operations Center).

With more professional maturity, it is possible to aim for positions such as RSSI (Information System Security Manager), in charge of defining and managing the company's cybersecurity policy.

Some people choose to specialize in a niche field : incident response, malware analysis, security audit, or cyber intelligence. Others prefer to turn to independent advice, or even create their own structure. As the sector is growing, opportunities abound!

Conclusion

The role of cybersecurity engineer is both demanding and exciting. With adequate training, a keen sense of analysis and a desire to constantly adapt, cybersecurity engineers have excellent career prospects. For future professionals in this sector, the opportunities are immense, both in the public and private fields. As cybersecurity becomes an increasingly important part of our lives, it is certain that the demand for these experts will continue to grow, making this career a promising choice for years to come.

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Together, let's take your career to new heights!

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