Do you know that 50% of data will be stored in the cloud in 2025? With such explosive adoption of cloud computing, the need for cloud security has ascended to another level. However, there comes cyber attacks that pose a critical threat to businesses.

Therefore, the demand for cloud security professionals has skyrocketed. In this blog, we’ll cover the various cloud security jobs you can apply for, the most in-demand skills required in a Cloud Security Engineer, market certifications, salaries and the best cloud security program.

Who is a Cloud Security Engineer?

Although the industry is transitioning to cloud, it still needs protection from malicious hackers. This is when a Cloud Security Engineer comes in. He designs, implements, and manages security measures in order to protect cloud-based systems, data and infrastructure.

The main goal of this professional is to protect confidential data and maintain integrity and availability  of it.

A cloud security engineer works mainly on three main cloud service providers:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• Microsoft Azure

• Google Cloud Platform

What are the Most in-Demand Skills of a Cloud Security Engineer?

The following are the most important skills required to become a Cloud Security Engineer:

1. Technical Skills:

• Cloud Expertise

You need to be an expert in at least one of the industry’s cloud service providers. These providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Microsoft Azure.

• Network Security Knowledge

Although you want to become a Cloud Security Engineer, having the knowledge of networking security concepts is important. These include knowledge about firewalls such as Palo Alto firewall, Checkpoint and Fortinet firewalls. Other concepts include intrusion detection system (IDS) and SIEM tools such as Splunk, Microsoft IBM QRadar. 

You must also know about network protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, UDP, TCP, etc.

• Scripting Knowledge

It is significant to have experience in Linux systems and bash scripting. You can also have scripting experience in Python or Ruby or shell scripting. 

• Cybersecurity Concepts

It is also important to have knowledge of concepts such as zero-trust architecture which implies trusting no one before accessing any data or system. Another important concept includes multi-factor authentication that uses a variety of methods such as use of recaptcha or opt verification.

2. Soft Skills

• Collaborative skills

You must be collaborative to run parallel coordination between DevOps and IT teams.

• Incident Response

You must be agile enough to defend and perform disaster management, incident response and vulnerability assessment for an organization.

• Communication and Risk Assessment

You must have solid communication skills for better team collaboration. You must also be handy with risk assessment.

What are the Key Responsibilities of a Cloud Security Engineer?

The following are the main roles and responsibilities of a Cloud Security Engineer:

• Create secure cloud designs for infrastructure and applications.

•  Put firewalls, identity access management (IAM), and encryption into practice in the cloud.

•  Use third-party and cloud-native security technologies to keep an eye out for dangers.

•  Perform penetration tests and security evaluations in cloud environments.

•  Verify adherence to laws such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001 rules.

•  Work together to integrate security (DevSecOps) with DevOps teams.

What are the Best Certifications to Get Cloud Security Jobs?

Whether you’re from a non-technical background or starting out in cloud security, the following certifications will help your career in Cloud Security:

• CompTIA Security+

This is a beginner-friendly cloud security certification. 

Prerequisites:

There are no formal prerequisites. CompTIA Network+ knowledge is recommended. 

Topics covered:

• General Security Concepts

• Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations

• Security Architecture

• Security Operations

• Security Program Management and Oversight

Exam details:

• CompTIA Cloud+

This is another entry-level certification to become a Cloud Security Engineer. 

Prerequisites:

You need to have 2-3 years of experience in networking or system administration. 

Topics covered:

• Cloud Architecture and Design

• Security

• Deployment

• Operations and Support

• Troubleshooting

Exam details:

• Microsoft SC-100: Cybersecurity Architect Expert

This certification is meant for senior-level professionals who want to work with Microsoft Azure cloud.

Prerequisites:

• You must have knowledge/certification of any one Microsoft Azure certification such as SC-200, AZ-500, MS-500, etc.

Topics covered:

• Designing a Zero Trust strategy and architecture

• Designing security for infrastructure

• Designing a security operations strategy

• Designing for data and applications security

Exam details:

• Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer

This certification is an intermediate-level certification for aspiring cloud security professionals. 

Prerequisites:

You must hold 3 years of industry experience. It is important to have at least 1 year of experience in Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Topics covered:

• Setting up access in a cloud solution setting

• Setting up security on a network

• Making sure that data is protected

• Overseeing activities in a cloud solution

• Making sure that compliance

Exam details:

• AWS Certified Security - Specialty

It is a specialization-level certification by Amazon Web Services. 

Prerequisites:

• If you have at least 2 years of experience hands-on in AWS, you can take this certification exam

• You must be familiar with various AWS services such as IAM, KMS, VPC, CloudTrail, GuardDuty.

• It is recommended that you have 5 years of experience in IT security.

Topics covered:

• Incident Response

• Logging and Monitoring

• Infrastructure Security

• Identity and Access Management

• Data Protection

Exam Details:

• CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional (by (ISC)²)

It is an advanced-level cloud security certification meant for aspiring cloud security professionals who already have an in-depth knowledge of security.

Prerequisites:

• A minimum of five years of total paid IT work experience, including three years in information security and one year in a CCSP domain.

•  Even if you lack experience, you can still sit for the test and become an Associate of (ISC)² until you do.

Topics covered:

• Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design

• Cloud Data Security

• Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security

• Cloud Application Security

• Cloud Security Operations

• Legal, Risk, and Compliance

Exam Details:

Where to Find the Best Cloud Security Course?

Are you looking for cloud security jobs but don’t know where to start learning? We’ve got you covered. Career Security, powered by Network Kings is an industry leader in upskilling professionals. We can help you go from 6 LPA to 14 LPA, and what not.

The following are the best features of our program:

• Learn from MAANG Engineers

Learn cloud security from top-notch cloud security engineers working in MAANG companies.

• Personalized Career Plan

Career security offers personalized career plans where we carefully evaluate your interests, past experience and your career goals. 

• 1:1 Mentorship

Don’t know where to start your career? Don’t worry. We also provide 1:1 mentorship on what program you must choose based on your goals.

• Certification-Oriented

Our programs are designed to follow the course curricula of globally-recognized certifications provided by AWS, Google, Microsoft, CompTIA, etc.

Want to book a free career consultation call with experts? Book here.

FAQs:

1. Describe the duties of a cloud security engineer.

In order to safeguard cloud-based systems, data, and infrastructure against cyberattacks, a cloud security engineer creates, puts into practice, and oversees security measures that guarantee data availability, confidentiality, and integrity.

2. As a Cloud Security Engineer, which cloud platforms should I focus on?

Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are the top three cloud platforms in which to specialize.

3. Which competencies are essential for a Cloud Security Engineer?

Expertise in cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), network security (firewalls, intrusion detection systems, SIEM tools), scripting (Python, bash), cybersecurity principles (multi-factor authentication, zero trust), and soft skills like teamwork and incident response are all essential.

4. What are the various cloud security jobs I can land after the course?

The various cloud security jobs include cloud security engineer, cloud security architect, cloud security analyst, cloud security consultant, DevSecOps engineer, etc.