AWS Certified Security Engineer job outlook (2024): Your complete preparation guide
In the tech industry, cloud computing has become the backbone of modern enterprises, enabling companies to scale and innovate like never before. This shift to the cloud has also made cloud environments a prime target for cyberattacks, making the need for robust cloud security measures even more important.
This is where AWS Certified Security Engineers step in, with their proven skills to secure cloud-based applications, architectures and workloads on the AWS platform. In this guide, we'll examine this certification, provide details on what's covered in the exam and look at the roles and salary that might be in your future once you're certified.
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Role of an AWS Certified Security Engineer
AWS security engineers are the architects of cloud fortifications, tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding AWS environments against cyber threats. Some skills they bring to the table include:
- Expertise in security best practices and compliance standards
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- A strong understanding of AWS security services
On the job, an AWS cloud security engineer has a wide range of responsibilities:
- They configure access control mechanisms like Identity Access Management (IAM), manage encryption and keys and use security services like AWS GuardDuty and CloudTrail for threat detection and logging.
- They identify potential security vulnerabilities within the AWS environment, conduct regular security assessments and implement mitigation strategies to address them.
- They respond to security incidents to investigate the root cause and implement remediation measures to minimize damage and prevent future occurrences.
- They ensure compliance with security regulations and industry standards.
- They educate other stakeholders on best practices for cloud security.
The importance of AWS security engineers cannot be overstated. Their expertise both protects sensitive information and upholds the integrity and reliability of cloud-based infrastructures.
Job outlook for AWS Certified Security Engineers in 2024
The job outlook for AWS Certified Security Engineers is incredibly bright in 2024 and beyond, mainly because of three trends: digital transformation, cloud adoption and the increase of cyberattacks.
As organizations move more of their operations to the cloud, the attack surface for cybercriminals expands. Any business with AWS security engineers knows that their AWS environment is in good hands.
Digital transformation and cloud adoption also bring stringent data privacy regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, which require expertise in securing sensitive data according to certain exacting standards within the cloud environment. AWS Certified Security Engineers possess the knowledge and skills to navigate these complexities.
And the demand for skilled cloud security professionals just keeps growing faster than positions can be filled. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, there were 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in 2023, and that number is expected to remain the same or grow by 2025. Know that when you get your AWS Certified Security Engineer certification, there will be jobs waiting for you.
The value of AWS Security certification
As an AWS cloud security engineer, you set yourself apart from other cybersecurity professionals. This certification showcases your specialized knowledge and skills in securing AWS environments. While general cybersecurity knowledge is valuable, being certified in AWS security proves to businesses you have what it takes to secure their cloud environments.
The AWS security certification can also open doors to a wider range of career opportunities beyond traditional roles. With their expertise in cloud security, AWS Certified Security Engineers can explore positions in cloud architecture, compliance, risk management and even leadership roles within organizations. Or they can use this expertise to dive deeper into cybersecurity and become an ethical hacker or a security architect.
With cloud adoption soaring, AWS Certified Security Engineers often enjoy greater job security, career stability and salaries than their uncertified peers. Organizations value professionals with specialized skills in cloud security and with this trusted certification, you have proven skills that make you a more attractive job candidate they will pay top dollar for.
AWS Certified Security Engineer vs. other cybersecurity certifications
As the demand for cloud security professionals continues to climb, professionals looking to advance their careers may consider various cybersecurity certifications. The AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification is valuable for professionals focusing on securing AWS environments, but it's important to understand how it compares to other popular certifications.
Vendor-neutral certifications like the CompTIA Cloud+ and ISC2 CCSP are valuable for professionals who work with multiple providers or want to demonstrate their broad cloud security skills. The Cloud+ certification is considered entry-level, and while it may not have the same impact as other certifications, it's a good starting point for cloud security professionals who plan on working with more than one platform. The CCSP certification holds significant weight and can lead to a higher salary, though it is a tougher exam.
For professionals focused on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, the Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) certification is comparable to the AWS Security certification. It validates your ability to implement secure solutions on the Azure platform and the demand for Azure security professionals is growing as Azure's cloud market share is catching up to AWS.
Also, remember that certifications can complement each other. The AWS Security Engineer certification can effectively be combined with other cybersecurity credentials to showcase a well-rounded skillset. Early in your career, a CompTIA Security+ certification will provide a strong foundation in cybersecurity fundamentals and provide context to your AWS security skills.
Later in your career, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification will validate your expertise in information security management, and a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification will prove your skills in information security governance, risk management and compliance, strengthening your cybersecurity leadership credentials.
Preparing for the AWS Security exam
The AWS Certified Security exam comprises 65 questions that candidates have 170 minutes to answer. All questions are multiple-choice or multiple-response. The test questions are broken up into the following six domains:
- Threat Detection and Incident Response (14%): This domain covers identifying and mitigating risks, responding to security incidents and using AWS services for threat detection and incident response.
- Security Logging and Monitoring (18%): This section focuses on configuring and managing security logging and monitoring services, such as AWS CloudTrail, AWS Config and AWS Security Hub.
- Infrastructure Security (20%): This domain covers securing AWS infrastructure components, including virtual private clouds (VPCs), network access control lists (NACLs) and security groups.
- Identity and Access Management (16%): This section focuses on implementing and managing identity and access management (IAM) policies, rules and permissions.
- Data Protection (18%): This domain covers data protection strategies, including encryption at rest and in transit, key management and data classification.
- Management and Security Governance (14%): This section focuses on security governance, compliance and risk management.
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There are many resources available to help you prepare for the exam:
- AWS resources: AWS offers a free SCS-C02 exam guide, a free standard prep course, a practice exam and plenty of documentation on AWS security services.
- Courses and boot camps: Reputable exam prep vendors like Infosec offer boot camps designed specifically for the exam or learning paths that take you deeper into specific security topics. Infosec's AWS Certified Security Engineer Boot Camp will prepare you to pass the exam in three days of intensive training, guaranteed.
- Online resources: Websites like the AWS TechExams forum and the AWS Security Blog can bring you insights you won't find in courses.
Remember to take advantage of practice exams, like those provided by AWS and Infosec. They will help you assess your knowledge, discover where you need to brush up and get familiar with the exam format. Also, supplement this theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning by signing up for a free AWS account and experimenting with the many AWS services. And when you pass, don't stop learning. Cloud security is constantly evolving. Stay up to date by learning about new AWS features, security technology and the latest cyber threats.
Salary and compensation trends
The AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification can significantly impact your earning potential. Based on data Infosec collected from multiple job boards, the average salary for an AWS Certified Security Engineer in the U.S. is around $133,488. But this average is just like any other average; your salary will vary on certain factors, including:
- Location: In a tech hub like San Francisco, the average salary for an AWS security engineer is $147,609, while in Miami, the average salary is $113,954.
- Experience: The average salary for an entry-level AWS security specialist is around $112,000, but a veteran with 10 years’ experience could get $168,000.
- Industry: The industry you work in also plays a role in your salary, with the legal industry paying $145,000 on average and the pharmaceutical industry paying $159,000.
- Additional skills and certifications: Possessing additional skills in areas like network security, security automation or other cloud platforms (like Microsoft Azure) and getting certified can further enhance your earning potential.
Career paths and opportunities
The AWS Certified Security Engineer certification opens doors to a multitude of fulfilling careers, including traditional cloud security engineer careers like:
- Cloud security engineer: You'll Implement and maintain security controls, policies and procedures to protect systems and applications.
- Cloud security analyst: You'll monitor and analyze security logs, identify potential threats and respond to security incidents.
- Cloud security architect: You'll design and implement secure cloud architectures, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
You could use your security skills to move into other roles not traditionally considered an AWS security engineer career, like:
- Cloud architect: You'll integrate security best practices into cloud architecture design.
- Compliance officer: You'll ensure adherence to industry security regulations.
Or you could try out some emerging roles, like:
- Cloud security automation engineer: You'll automate security tasks and workflows for increased efficiency.
- Security threat intelligence analyst: You'll analyze and interpret data related to potential cybersecurity threats to preempt and mitigate cyberattacks.
There is a high demand for AWS Certified Security Engineers in just about any industry, including financial services, healthcare, government, e-commerce and cloud service providers. The key to a successful AWS security engineer career is staying updated with the latest AWS services and security practices, networking with other cloud security professionals, contributing to open-source security projects and broadening your security and infrastructure knowledge with advanced certifications.
Future of cloud security and AWS certification
While many might see the evolving landscape of cloud security as a challenge, AWS-certified security engineers see it as an opportunity to learn more, stay ahead of emerging trends and become experts at technologies that could quickly become the norm.
Here are some trends in cloud security worth looking into:
- Cloud workload protection platforms (CWPPs): As organizations move more workloads to the cloud, CWPPs will play an important role in unifying security controls across different cloud environments. CWPPs offer continuous threat monitoring and detection in multi-cloud environments.
- Focus on security automation and orchestration: Security automation is quickly changing from "nice to have" to a necessity as the process of securing vast cloud environments becomes even more complex. AWS security engineers with automation expertise will be highly sought after.
- Increased scrutiny on cloud security compliance: With the seemingly unstoppable increase of cyber threats, regulatory frameworks will likely become more stringent, demanding a deep understanding of compliance requirements from AWS security professionals.
The AWS security certification will continue to be an asset as the security landscape evolves. The core principles it covers are foundational for securing cloud environments, and the emphasis on continuous learning prepares professionals to adapt to new threats.
The exam content itself is likely to keep pace, placing greater weight on automation skills, CWPPs, compliance and emerging threats specific to the cloud. By staying informed and developing these evolving skillsets, AWS Certified Security Engineers will remain at the forefront of cloud security, ensuring the protection of sensitive data in the ever-changing digital landscape.
Working as an AWS Certified Security Engineer
The AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification is a powerful testament to your expertise in securing cloud environments. It equips you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the changing landscape of cybersecurity, making you a highly sought-after asset in the job market.
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In 2024 and beyond, the demand for skilled cloud security professionals continues its upward trajectory. Earning the AWS Security certification empowers you to capitalize on this demand, unlocking a diverse range of career paths and boosting your earning potential. Take the first step towards a rewarding future in cloud security — start preparing for your AWS security exam today!
FAQs
What is the job outlook for a cloud security engineer in 2024?
The AWS security engineer job outlook in 2024 is incredibly bright! With digital transformation and cloud adoption on the rise, the demand for skilled professionals is expected to continue growing significantly.
Is AWS security certification worth it for advancing in cybersecurity careers?
The AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification validates your expertise in securing AWS cloud environments, making you a highly sought-after candidate. It can lead to increased career opportunities, salary potential and job security.
How does AWS Security certification compare to other cybersecurity certifications in terms of job outlook and salary?
The AWS Security certification is in high demand, but other certifications like CCSP (vendor-neutral) and Azure Security Engineer (Microsoft-specific) are also growing. All can increase your salary potential. The best path depends on your career goals and experience.