Security Engineer Resume: Examples & Tips
- 30% higher chance of getting a job‡
- 42% higher response rate from recruiters‡
Our customers have been hired at:*Foot Note
Security engineers are responsible for keeping sensitive data safe from breaches, taps, and leaks. They protect organizational data, reputations, and finances by securing clients’ information, the company’s financial records, and other confidential information. This is typically an entry-level to mid-level job position where a security engineer requires strong analytical skills, teamwork, organizational skills, and technical knowledge.
Follow our resume examples and tips to build an impressive resume for a security engineer’s job position.
Get inspiration from 800+ resume samples and explore our 40+ resume templates to find the best one for you.
Security engineer example (text version)
Name: ABIGAIL KIRKLIN
Address: City, State, Zip Code
Phone: 000-000-0000
E-Mail: email@email.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Proactive Security Engineer adept at predicting and disrupting intrusion attempts before they occur. Pioneers novel network security measures capable of combatting emerging threats. Maintains proven track record of utilizing botheducation and technological solutions to fortify companies against malicious exploitation and data breaches.
WORK HISTORY
Security Engineer, 07/2016 to Current
Company Name, City, State
- Authored monthly security and vulnerability reports, detailing logged incursions and suggesting remediation efforts.
- Created standardized incident response program to outline immediate and consistent remediation of security breaches.
- Applied Center for Internet Security (CIS) benchmarks to verify performance of ongoing security measures.
Security Engineer, 10/2012 to 06/2016
Company Name, City, State
- Offered preventative training to over 300 employees to harden personnel against intrusion vectors such as phishing, ransomware and more.
- Delivered network system upgrade on time, under budget and with minimal service interruption.
- Validated and verified system security requirements definitions and analyzed system security designs.
Junior Security Engineer, 06/2010 to 09/2012
Company Name, City, State
- Worked on application patches, data backup, security changes and network configuration and replaced boards,changed servers and loaded and tested software applications
- Engineered, maintained and repaired security systems and programmable logic controls.
- Encrypted data and erected firewalls to protect confidential information.
SKILLS
- Data security
- Nagios monitoring software
- Developing security plans
- Python, Perl & Rub
- Implementing security programs
- Designing security controls
- Education & training
- Processs improvements
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science
Computer Science,City, State
CERTIFICATIONS
CCNP: Security: Cisco Certified Network Professional Security
CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professiona
See why MyPerfectResume is a 5-star resume builder
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Security engineer resume FAQ
1. Why do you need a strong resume for a security engineer’s position?
Recruiters often look through hundreds if not thousands of resumes while filling these positions; it is imperative to make your resume stand out. Your professional experience and skills make you a qualified candidate, but that information only matters if you’re able to convey it properly on your resume. Including relevant information and structuring your resume correctly, as shown in the above examples, will help you present yourself as a professional ready to tackle the job.
2. What skills are essential to consider for a security engineer resume?
A security engineer’s resume should have a balance of both hard and soft skills. Some common skills that employers look for in a security engineer are:
- Computer operating systems
- Network architecture
- Ethical hacking
- Computer forensics
- Leadership
- Project management
- Problem-solving
- Strong communication
- Quick thinking
- Time management
- Organization
- Knowledge of perimeter security defense process and application security defense
- Cryptography
- JavaScript
- Risk management
- Security architecture
- Secure SDLC practices
3. What are the standard certifications that can be included in a security engineer resume?
Some standard certifications for security engineering include:
- CCNP: Cisco Certified Network Professional Security
- CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor
4. Why is it essential to optimize your resume for an ATS?
ATS scans help companies filter out resumes that don’t meet the keyword requirements. This means that usually hiring managers and recruiters only see a handful of the resumes sent. To make your resume reach their hands, use keywords from the description in your resume. This means including specific skills in your skills section and writing industry terms in your work history. A way to also make your resume ATS-friendly is to use readable and professional fonts like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, and keeping the design as simple and organized as possible.
5. What personal information should I include in a resume?
The only personal information required are your name, city and state of residence, phone number, and email address. Avoid presenting other information such as marital status, political views, or additional personal information that might prejudice a potential employer. Your resume should focus on the job at hand and the particular qualifications that fit the job.
Do’s and don’ts for your resume
- DO tailor your resume to the job. Hiring managers and recruiters want to make sure you’re the perfect fit for the company, so adjusting your resume to the job you’re applying for is important. Every job posting will have a different set of requirements and qualifications needed for the job. Read it well and tailor your resume accordingly.
- DO include relevant information only. Unless your job as a bartender gave you transferable skills and relevant experiences for the new job, you don’t need to include it in your resume. Stick to information that is relevant to the position for which you’re applying.
- DO keep your resume short. Recruiters spend only a few seconds reviewing a resume. Make it easy for them by making your resume only one page long and writing concise statements. The only exception to the rule are candidates who have more than 10 years of continuous experience in the same field — in this case, their resume can be two pages long.
- DON’T forget about soft skills. Technical skills and hard skills show you have the knowledge to fulfill your job, but soft skills are just important. These are intangible traits that give the hiring manager or recruiter a glimpse into your working style and who you are as an employee. Soft skills include time management, excellent organization, great communication and teamwork.
- DON’T go crazy with buzzwords. Be careful about your choice of words while describing your skills in a security engineer’s resume, especially when they relate to different technologies, solutions, concepts and regulatory standards. Make sure that you don’t list anything that you cannot back up with your professional work experience or that you wouldn’t be able to have an informed discussion about.
- DON’T submit your resume before proofreading. Before sending your resume, be sure to read it thoroughly and fix any grammatical or spelling errors. A resume with typos can create a negative impression of your professional attitude and will likely make hiring managers dismiss it altogether.
Top 4 characteristics of a best-in-class security engineer resume
Summary
Your resume summary should be a brief overview of your professional career. Make sure to address the most important aspects of the job you’re applying for. For example, if the security engineer job requires proficiency in TOGAF, SABSA or any security architecture framework, you could write: “Detail-oriented Security Engineer with eight years of experience mapping security efforts in TOGAF and Zachman. Strong knowledge of cryptography controls, Javascript and mobile application development.”
Skills
Be sure to include a healthy mixture of technical skills (such as Java, security architecture and risk management) and soft skills (such as strong organization, time management and excellent written and verbal communication).
Work History
Focus on detailing your work accomplishments instead of mundane tasks, always matching them with the job requirements. If you can include quantifiable metrics, better. For example, instead of writing: “Designed solutions to keep information secure,” consider: “Designed and engineered solutions to keep databases with over 5,000 confidential information secure.”
Education
Include your top education credential (e.g., bachelor’s degree in security engineering), as well as any advanced training or professional qualifications you have that relate to the job.
Cover letter examples for the next step in your safety security career
CV examples for the next step in your safety security career
Rate this article
Security Engineer Resume Example
Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with extensive experience in digital media. She is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
More Articles by Kellie Hanna, CPRW