Cloud security engineers are in-demand professionals who help create and maintain security measures for company activities in the cloud, such as cloud infrastructure or cloud networks. In this role, you’ll help design, test, and plan the processes and procedures that keep business information, network, and other assets safe and secure. 

According to research from Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime will cost $9.5 trillion globally in 2024, growing year over year by 15 percent to a projected $10.5 trillion in 2025 [1]. To put that amount into perspective, Cybersecurity Ventures notes: “If it were measured as a country, then cybercrime would be the world’s third-largest economy after the US and China” [1]. Cloud security engineers and other security professionals are the front line of defense against cybercrime. Learn more about the role of a cloud security engineer and how you can become one.

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Google Cloud Cybersecurity

Launch your career in Cloud Cybersecurity. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from Google Cloud. No prior experience required.

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What does a cloud security engineer do?

Cloud security engineers help plan, build, and oversee security procedures for a company’s cloud network and infrastructure. In this role, you will help access and analyze the security risks and needs of the cloud network and digital information. You’ll design, improve, and monitor solutions and systems to minimize risk with your company’s specific needs in mind. 

You may work on a team and collaborate with other computer security professionals, so the exact roles of your job will vary from company to company. Common responsibilities of a cloud security engineer include:

• Staying ahead of industry trends and the latest threats to provide up-to-date solutions 

• Recommending software and other tools to protect company assets 

• Conducting tests and analyses of procedures and systems to prepare for emergencies 

• Ensuring compliance and documentation

• Coordinating with other teams and leadership about security needs and risks

Cloud security engineer salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a cloud security engineer in the US is $205,199 per year [2]. This role can earn an average base salary of $141,816 and $63,383 in additional pay [2]. Additional pay may represent profit sharing, commissions, or bonuses. The exact amount you can expect to earn will vary depending on factors like years of experience, where you live, and what certifications or other credentials you hold. 

Cloud security is a rising industry, growing in response to companies embracing cloud computing, networking, and infrastructure. The global cloud security market was worth an estimated $30.0 billion in 2024 and is slated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 22.5 percent to reach $148.3 billion by 2032, according to Market.US [3]. 

While the US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report specifically on job outlook data for cloud security engineers, it does project a much faster-than-average 33 percent growth rate for information security analysts from 2023 to 2033 [4].

How to become a cloud security engineer 

To begin a career in cloud security, you’ll need to complete your education, develop important skills, and gain relevant working experience. You can earn certifications to develop your skills even further and demonstrate your competencies to employers. Take a closer look at each of these steps: 

Step 1: Education 

The first step to becoming a cloud security engineer is to pursue formal education. The most common requirement for this role is a bachelor’s degree. According to Zippia, relevant majors are as follows [5]:

• Computer science

• Computer information systems

• Information technology

• Electrical engineering

• Business

Some employers may prefer a master’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field.

Step 2: Skills

Depending on the area of study you choose, you’ll need to learn important cloud security skills to work in the field. You may learn these skills while obtaining your education or with certificate or certification programs. 

Some of the technical skills employers look for in cloud security engineers include:

• Object-oriented languages (Java, Python, Ruby, C++)

• Cloud environments and security 

• Incident response

• Scripting languages (JavaScript) 

• Agile

• Cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure

Workplace skills that help you perform effectively as a cloud security engineer include:

• Communication

• Problem-solving

• Research

• Management 

• Leadership

• Analytical thinking

• Self-motivation

Step 3: Experience 

The next step to becoming a cloud security engineer is to gain experience in the field. You may begin in an entry-level position as an information security analyst or security officer. According to Glassdoor, you’ll need an average of five to seven years of experience with cloud computing or security to start working as a cloud security engineer [6]. 

Step 4: Certifications and certificates

While not always required, earning additional credentials can help you learn important skills and stand out to potential employers. You will have many options for credentials related to cloud computing, but below, you can review five common certifications and certificates for cloud security engineers:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from ISC2 is a globally recognized certification that verifies your IT security technical skills and is often a standard for security professionals. 

• AWS Certified Security - Specialty validates your understanding of data classifications and AWS data protection mechanisms. This may be helpful for those who work in an AWS cloud architecture, networking, database management, or in a related area.

• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer is a certification that assesses your ability to ensure data protection, manage operations within a Google Cloud Platform environment, and more. 

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Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Data Engineer

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• Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) from the Cloud Security Alliance provides you with knowledge on cloud security programs and best practices.

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) from ISC2 demonstrates to employers your existing knowledge of information technology and security in cloud environments. This certification is common for cybersecurity professionals. 

Is it hard to become a cloud security engineer?

You will not likely find it hard to become a cloud security engineer, although entering this field does require you to have a background in both cybersecurity and cloud computing. This means earning a bachelor’s degree in addition to some of the certifications listed above. Learning programming languages, cloud skills, and cybersecurity fundamentals will take time and effort, as will the prior work experience you must gain. However, once you have developed your expertise in these areas, you’ll be better prepared to meet the challenges of ever-changing cloud technologies and threats and possibly move into more advanced roles.

Cloud security engineer career path

Cloud security engineers often need prior experience in security before specializing in cloud security. As mentioned above, many employers will look for candidates with five to seven years of experience. Some common entry-level positions in security to start with include: 

• Information security engineer

• Network security analyst

• Security system engineer

• Infrastructure engineer

In these roles, you’ll gain similar experience and skills to help you decide if cloud security is the right specialization for you. 

After building experience in a cloud security engineer position, you may decide to continue with your career. Your experience may help you qualify for a more senior role, such as: 

• Information technology manager

• Security operations manager

• Security architect

• Network manager

• Cybersecurity engineer

• Cybersecurity analyst

Get started as a cloud security engineer

As a cloud security engineer, you’ll play an essential role in maintaining the security of cloud infrastructure for your company. If you’re ready to learn more and take the next step in your career, consider the Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Security Engineer Professional Certificate on Coursera. This Professional Certificate program can help you learn the skills you’ll need to pass the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer certification exam. It can also help demonstrate your skills in cloud security and advance your career. 

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Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Security Engineer

Advance your career as a Cloud Security Engineer

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