Difference Between Security Engineer and Security Architect

Security engineers are mainly engineers who occupy a special(technical) role in an organization. The major role of a security engineer is to protect any sensitive information which is a vital part of that company from any theft or hack, by implementing and monitoring the computer and network security protocols.

Nowadays, technology is far the most advanced principle in the field of computers which allowed the creation of very complex systems. The need for secure systems arises as the evolvement and demand of the market increases. Currently, the market is demanding better, safer, more secure, and less risky solutions, and to fulfill these needs, a new discipline comes within the development team, i.e. Security Engineer.

Role and Responsibilities  of Security Engineer:

As a security engineer, my major responsibility is to test and analyze security software and monitor network and computer system for any security theft or breach. This involves implementing and testing new security features, planning new and enhanced network upgrades, troubleshooting, and also responding to security incidents. They often can resolve any early threats by looking at things from a security perspective and recommend any up-gradation or enhancement needed for the system. The major duties and responsibilities of security engineers are as follows:

• Instructing & implementing a new set of security protocols.
• Identifying security measures to improve the system.
• Creating new ways to solve the existing security issues.
• Installing and using new software, like firewall or data encryption program.
• Creating new technical solutions to any security vulnerabilities.
• Installing any such software helps in early notifications of intrusions.
• Watching & analyzing for any irregularity in the system’s behavior.
• Supervise any change required in hardware and software needs.
• Executing any information security strategy in an organizations
• Recommending any modifications requires in technical areas and automating security improvements that are required.

Career Growth as a Security Engineer:

Security engineers can work in ample of companies & organizations, where information security requires. This means many jobs are available in many sectors such as health care, finance, non-profit, government, manufacturing, and a few other areas.

The career path to becoming a security engineer means building both Information Technology and security skills. Below are certain steps to make a career in this road path:

• Developing cybersecurity skills like Coding, Networking & Security, Penetration testing, Operating testing, Endpoint security, Intrusion detection, Intrusion prevention system
• Get certification like Certified Information system Professional  (CISSP), CompTIA Security +.
• Starting as an entry-level cybersecurity position.
• Become a security professional by joining an organization- SANS, CompTIA, Center for Internet Security(CIS)
• According to research and survey from top sites, $80,000 to $120,000 average salaries for security engineers. But along with it, other factors are also responsible such as geography, experience, industry, and education.

Security architects are senior or management-level employees who oversee the security of a system and so design and create a complex security structure for an organization system.  

Security architects are responsible for designing any infrastructure or plan,  that fulfills the objective or directions while being mindful of the security threats in the environment. Though engineers & analysts contribute to that design, it is the architect that puts all the pieces together as they fit as par the resemblances and is ultimately responsible for the implementation of the plan. This is the reason, security architect is a management-level role.

Role and Responsibilities of Security Architect:

The responsibility of a security architect is to resist any malware or hackers attacks on an organization’s system. Many surveys told that the best security architect is those who have any prior experience in hacking, which makes it reasonable and helpful for them to acknowledge the ways in which hackers work. The security architect will also test for any weakness in the system and to fulfill that test. Major role and responsibilities of security architect are:

• Understanding the organization’s information & technology.
• Research, plan and design a robust security structure.
• Conducting risk analyses and vulnerability testing and doing security assessments.
• Developing any requirement for local, wide, virtual networks, routers, and firewalls.
• Designing key infrastructure & preparing cost estimating for implementing it.
• Testing final security structure & providing technical supervision.
• Conducting a post-event analysis & relatively updating and upgrading security systems.

Career Growth as a Security Architect:

According to Linkedin, security architects have many ample opportunities to work in major MNCs around the world like Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, McDonald’s, Walt Disney, Mastercard, Visa, Paypal, and many countless others across the world.

The road path to becoming a security architect starts with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or cyber security. The career path might include the following steps, Entry level security position, security administrator, Network administrator, Followed by Intermediate level, security Analyst, security engineer, Get Certification, CISSP, CISSM, CISA. The average salary is around $100,000 to $150,000.

Finally, careers in the sectors of engineer and architect have both great growth potential. Security architects provide the big-picture framework and so it demands a top-end salary because they are closer to decision making and helping an organization to risks. Whereas, Security engineers work at various entry points and receive an average salary less compared to security architects. Security engineers need to master their field and pursue depth of knowledge. Whereas, security architects need to stay focused across a broader range of domains to fully understand the evolving threat and also to acknowledge the emerging technologies required to protect organizations.