Cyber security engineer job description.
Hiring a cyber security engineer or moving into a more technical security position? This job description explains tasks like building secure systems, managing firewalls, performing penetration testing, and ensuring compliance. It also highlights career growth and expected salary ranges.
What does a cyber security engineer do?
A cyber security engineer builds and implements the systems and processes that protect an organisation’s infrastructure from cyber threats. They work across networks, applications, and cloud environments to ensure systems are secure, compliant, and resilient.
Core responsibilities include configuring firewalls, developing detection rules, implementing endpoint protection, automating responses, and performing penetration testing. They work with DevOps, IT, and compliance teams to ensure security is embedded into every layer of technology.
In smaller teams, they may handle both architecture and incident response. In larger businesses, cyber security engineers specialise in areas like cloud security, SIEM management, or threat response. Their work directly reduces exposure to breaches, financial loss, and operational risk.
Key responsibilities of a cyber security engineer.
Cyber security engineers implement and maintain defences across systems and networks. Their responsibilities include:
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Deploying and managing firewalls, antivirus, and endpoint protection tools
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Writing detection rules and automating threat response mechanisms
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Supporting incident response and forensic investigation efforts
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Collaborating with infrastructure teams to secure systems and environments
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Performing risk assessments and recommending mitigation measures
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Monitoring security logs and validating alerts from SIEM platforms
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Implementing encryption, MFA, and secure access policies
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Evaluating and testing new security tools and vendors
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Supporting compliance initiatives such as ISO 27001 or NIST
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Documenting policies, processes, and incident handling procedures
This role combines hands-on defence engineering with policy implementation and technical guidance.
Skills and requirements for a cyber security engineer.
Cyber security engineers implement defences protecting digital infrastructure. Employers typically look for:
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4–7 years of experience in cyber security or systems engineering
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Strong understanding of firewalls, endpoint protection, and access control
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Experience with threat detection tools and security platforms
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Skilled in writing rules, filters, and detection logic
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Familiarity with penetration testing and security scanning
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Knowledge of compliance standards such as ISO 27001, NIST, or GDPR
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Ability to work with cloud environments (AWS, Azure security tooling)
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Experience implementing multi-factor authentication and encryption
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Strong documentation and stakeholder communication skills
Most security engineers design secure environments from infrastructure backgrounds.
Average salary for a cyber security engineer.
In the UK, the average salary for a cyber security engineer typically ranges from £50,000 to £75,000, based on system security design, penetration testing, and tooling expertise.
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Mid-level engineers earn between £50,000 and £62,000
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Senior cyber security engineers working with enterprise-grade defences earn between £63,000 and £75,000
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Certifications like OSCP, CEH, or CISSP can significantly boost earning potential
Top-paying roles are found in SaaS platforms, fintech, and critical infrastructure projects.
Career progression for a cyber security engineer.
A cyber security engineer designs and implements security measures to protect networks and applications. This technical role can evolve into architecture, management, or executive cyber positions. A typical path includes:
Security analyst / IT engineer
Supports security controls, implements firewalls, and assists with patch management.
Cyber security engineer
Builds and configures intrusion detection systems, security automation tools, and endpoint defence.
Senior security engineer / DevSecOps lead
Leads cloud security strategy, threat modelling, and vulnerability mitigation efforts.
Security architect / Cyber operations manager
Designs and governs organisation-wide security frameworks and tools.
Head of cyber security / CISO
Drives security posture, policy, risk management, and business alignment.
salary guide
Our UK IT salary guide.
Security engineers build and manage defences across systems and networks. Offers should reflect experience in tooling, detection, and infrastructure security.
Our UK IT salary guide includes salary benchmarks, hiring insights, 2024 comparisons, and projections through to 2026.
FAQS
Cyber security engineer FAQs.
They’re responsible for deploying and tuning security tools — such as SIEM rule sets, email threat filters, endpoint protection, and network-based detection systems. They also help design secure infrastructure and ensure that authentication and encryption standards are enforced across systems.
SOC teams detect issues; engineers build the defences. engineers tune detection logic, remediate vulnerabilities at scale, and ensure that patches and controls align with compliance frameworks. SOC roles are alert-focused, whereas engineers make the tooling and automation behind that alerting smarter.
SaaS companies, NHS Trusts, consultancies, and financial services all hire these roles — especially where the organisation has in-house infrastructure or custom tooling. engineers are increasingly common in smaller teams that need technical hands-on support rather than managed service models.
Practical experience beats certification alone. engineers who can describe how they hardened a Linux system, created an automated response playbook, or deployed MFA under resistance from users often outperform certified candidates who lack battle-tested experience
Security engineers often progress to security architects or platform security leads. Others specialise into cloud security, IAM engineering, or shift toward security automation / DevSecOps as teams scale.
