OVERVIEW
What Is an Application Security Engineer?
Security used to be an afterthought within the SDLC, but now that companies spend up to $2.5 million on average recovering from a malware attack, the hiring of proactive security professionals is a top priority. Just like other kinds of engineers, application security engineers anticipate structural vulnerabilities and determine how to correct them. Their work includes updating software, creating firewalls, and running encryption programs within a computer network or application.
Security engineers actively develop and enforce security plans and standards through regular testing and hacker simulations. Their goal is to find and repair areas of weakness before cybercriminals have a chance to compromise the code or application. In the instance of a security concern, these professionals react quickly to contain the issue, protect data or information, and collaborate with other team members to recover.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does an Application Security Engineer Do?
As application security engineers work to analyze, evaluate, and develop security strategies, their day-to-day duties include:
- Providing technical leadership, guidance, and direction to the application security team.
- Developing and maintaining documentation of application security control.
- Implementing software application security controls.
- Performing application scanning and testing.
- Designing technical solutions to address security weaknesses.
- Analyzing system services and spotting issues in code, networks, and applications.
- Following security best practices in performing tasks.
- Developing and maintaining software application security policies and procedures.
- Communicating the nature and severity of security concerns to the development team.
- Helping the development team assess and remediate concerns.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become an Application Security Engineer?
The first step to becoming an application security engineer is to earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance or computer science. The next step is to gain experience working closely in application development or analytics. Experience is especially important in this field, as the more hands-on opportunities you have within various arenas of information security, the more knowledge you’ll bring to engineering and collaborating with other team members. Most application security engineer job openings require at least two to four years of entry-level experience.
In addition to a degree and work experience, many employers also seek out individuals who have improved their skills by obtaining certifications such as a Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP), a Secure Software Practitioner (SSP), or a Certified Application Security Engineer (CASE). If you’re interested in advancing into a leadership role, then earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance can further develop your expertise and earning potential.
Best Degrees for an Application Security Analyst
Technology
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S.
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree....
Protect your career and earning potential with this degree.
- Time: 60% of graduates finish within 29 months.
- Tuition: $4,265 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 34 total courses in this program.
Certifications included in this program at no extra cost include:
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
- ITIL® Foundation Certification
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+)
- CompTIA IT Operations Specialist
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional
- CompTIA Network Security Professional
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Project+
- CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Security Analytics Professional
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Secure Systems Analysis & Design
- Data Management
- Web and Cloud Security
- Hacking Countermeasures and Techniques
- Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Technology
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – M.S.
Become the authority on keeping infrastructures and information safe....
Become the authority on keeping infrastructures and information safe.
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 18 months.
- Tuition: $4,555 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 9 total courses in this program.
Certifications in this program at no additional cost include:
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) Optional Voucher
- ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Optional Voucher
- (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Cybersecurity Strategy
- Information Assurance
- Incident Response
- Penetration Testing
The curriculum is closely aligned with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Workforce Framework. The program was designed in collaboration with national intelligence organizations and IT industry leaders, ensuring you'll learn emerging technologies and best practices in security governance.
Technology
Computer Science – B.S.
Problem solvers and math lovers needed! Your task:...
Problem solvers and math lovers needed! Your task:
Lay the groundwork for the computing breakthroughs that will enable tomorrow's technologies. Utilize your previous college courses or IT experience to help you complete your degree faster.
- Time: 60% of graduates in similar programs finish within 25 months.
- Tuition: $3,985 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program.
You'll have the opportunity to earn these certifications:
- Linux Essentials
- Axelos ITIL Foundation
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Architecture and systems
- Data structures
- AI
- Computer theory
- Version Control
- Linux
How Much Does an Application Security Engineer Make?
$136,236
The average salary for an application security engineer in the U.S. is $136,236 between $93,000 at the lowest range and $198,000 at the highest. California, Washington, and New York rank as the highest-paying states for security engineers.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
35%
As more software programs and applications are developed, the need for security engineers to combat potential cyberattacks will only increase. Currently, the job field for security analytics and engineering is projected to grow by 35% between 2021 and 2031, significantly faster than the average occupation.
SKILLS
What Skills Does an Application Security Engineer Need?
A security engineer needs a wide variety of technical and nontechnical skills to be successful. Some of the necessary skills include:
- Knowledge of web application security
- Knowledge of the SDLC
- Knowledge of security capturing and consolidation
- Understanding of coding
- Understanding of cryptography
- Understanding of automation enablement
- Familiarity with an organization’s incident response plan
- The ability to collaborate and communicate effectively
- The ability to manage multiple expectations and deadlines at once
- The willingness to analyze and adapt to changes as needed
- The willingness to learn on the job
- The readiness to quickly solve problems as they arise
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