We surveyed 611 security engineers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical security engineer. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a security engineer?
Low
High
Working as a security engineer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that security engineers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become a security engineer?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a security engineer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a security engineer?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a security engineer.
Do security engineers work full-time or part-time?
94% of security engineers work in full-time roles while 6% work part-time.
Is being a security engineer stressful?
Low
High
Security engineers tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a security engineer?
Low
High
Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being a security engineer.
How competitive is the workplace for security engineers?
Low
High
Security engineers see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being a security engineer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for security engineers.
Are security engineers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Security engineers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.
Do security engineers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally security engineers will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.
Is being a security engineer physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a security engineers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are security engineers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
Security engineers tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.
Does being a security engineer require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a security engineer.
Does being a good security engineer require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a security engineer.