Cloud Engineer → Cloud Security Engineer

A realistic transition from Cloud Engineer to Cloud Security Engineer: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 23%. Difficulty: Medium.

Difficulty: Medium7 stepsDuration: 9 to 13 monthsOverlap: 23%

Transition from Cloud Engineer to Cloud Security Engineer.

Transferable skills

  • Terraform

Skills to learn

  • IAM
  • CSPM (Defender/Security Hub)
  • Network security
  • Kubernetes security
  • Detection & response
  • Compliance

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your Cloud Engineer experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Terraform

    Map transferable skills — Terraform — against what a Cloud Security Engineer needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Cloud Security Engineer

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Cloud security

    Raise Cloud security to the level a Cloud Security Engineer relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Cloud Security Engineer role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • IAM
    • CSPM (Defender/Security Hub)
    • Network security

    Technologies

    Defender for CloudAWS Security HubGuardDuty

    Cover the biggest gaps first: IAM, CSPM (Defender/Security Hub), Network security.

  4. 4. Master advanced Cloud Security Engineer skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Detection & response
    • Kubernetes security
    • Compliance

    Technologies

    SplunkOPA

    Handle the advanced topics: Detection & response, Kubernetes security, Compliance.

  5. 5. Get productive with the Cloud Security Engineer toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    Defender for CloudAWS Security HubGuardDutySplunkOPA

    Be hands-on with Defender for Cloud, AWS Security Hub, GuardDuty and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise Cloud Security Engineer work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on Cloud Security Engineer tasks at work.

  7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a Cloud Security Engineer

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    AWS Security SpecialtyMicrosoft SC-200CCSP

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around Cloud Security Engineer, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes