Network Security Engineer
Part of the Cybersecurity Career Guide — This article is one deep-dive in our complete guide series.
By HADESS Team | February 28, 2026 | Updated: February 28, 2026 | 5 min read
You design, implement, and maintain the network security infrastructure that protects an organization. Firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, network segmentation, zero trust architectures — you own it all. When network traffic needs to be inspected, filtered, or encrypted, that is your domain.
What You Will Do
Network security engineering combines traditional networking skills with security expertise. You work with both hardware appliances and software-defined infrastructure, and you need to understand traffic flows at every layer.
Your daily responsibilities include:
- Designing and managing firewall rules and policies (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco, pfSense)
- Implementing and tuning IDS/IPS systems (Snort, Suricata, commercial solutions)
- Configuring and maintaining VPN solutions — site-to-site and remote access
- Designing network segmentation strategies — VLANs, microsegmentation, zero trust
- Managing web application firewalls (WAFs) and DDoS protection
- Monitoring network traffic for anomalies using NetFlow, Zeek, and packet captures
- Implementing DNS security — DNSSEC, DNS filtering, sinkholing
- Configuring network access control (NAC) solutions — 802.1X, RADIUS
- Hardening network devices — routers, switches, wireless access points
- Responding to network-level security incidents — DDoS attacks, lateral movement, data exfiltration
- Documenting network architecture and security controls
- Performing regular network security assessments and remediation
You are often the bridge between the network team and the security team. You need to speak both languages and balance security requirements with performance and availability.
Skills You Need
Network security engineering requires deep networking knowledge with a security lens.
Build these skills:
- Firewall management — policy design, rule optimization, next-gen firewall features
- TCP/IP and network protocols — deep understanding at the packet level
- Network segmentation and architecture — VLANs, SD-WAN, microsegmentation
- IDS/IPS configuration — Snort, Suricata, signature and anomaly-based detection
- VPN technologies — IPSec, SSL/TLS VPNs, WireGuard
- Cloud networking — VPCs, security groups, transit gateways
- Network monitoring and analysis — Wireshark, Zeek, NetFlow
- Scripting for network automation — Python with Netmiko, Ansible for network devices
Explore these in the skills library and see related roles in the career path explorer.
Certifications
Network security certifications combine networking knowledge with security skills:
- CCNA Security — Cisco networking with a security focus, strong foundational cert
- CISSP — broad security knowledge with a networking domain
- GCFW — GIAC Certified Firewall Analyst, directly relevant to the role
Plan your certification path with the certification roadmap planner.
Salary Range
Network security engineers earn between $55K and $125K. Engineers with experience in next-gen firewalls, cloud networking, and zero trust implementations earn at the top. Specialization in a specific vendor platform (Palo Alto, Fortinet) combined with cloud networking skills increases your market value.
Check current rates with the salary calculator.
How to Get Started
1. Learn networking fundamentals thoroughly — CCNA-level knowledge is the minimum starting point 2. Set up a home lab with pfSense or OPNsense and practice firewall configuration 3. Take the skills assessment to measure your network security knowledge 4. Practice network security scenarios in the labs 5. Learn Wireshark — understanding packet captures is a daily skill 6. Study network attack techniques — you cannot defend against what you do not understand 7. Get CCNA Security as your entry certification — plan it with the certification planner 8. Learn network automation with Python — manual configuration does not scale 9. Build your resume highlighting infrastructure and security projects 10. Search for network security roles on the job board
If you are a network engineer looking to specialize in security, the career coach can help you identify the most efficient transition path.
Related Guides in This Series
Take the Next Step
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Frequently Asked Questions
What certifications do I need for this role?
Certification requirements vary by employer and seniority level. Use the certification roadmap planner to build a sequence based on your target role and current qualifications.
What is the salary range for this role?
Salaries vary significantly by location, experience, and employer type. Use the salary calculator for your specific market rate.
How do I transition into this career path?
Take the skills assessment to identify your current strengths and gaps relative to this role. The assessment generates a personalized learning plan to close the gap.
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HADESS Team consists of cybersecurity practitioners, hiring managers, and career strategists who have collectively spent 50+ years in the field.
