Network Administrator → Network Security Engineer

A realistic transition from Network Administrator to Network Security Engineer: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 28%. Difficulty: Medium.

Difficulty: Medium7 stepsDuration: 9 to 13 monthsOverlap: 28%

Transition from Network Administrator to Network Security Engineer.

Transferable skills

  • Monitoring

Skills to learn

  • Firewalls (Fortinet/Palo Alto)
  • VPN / ZTNA
  • IPS / IDS
  • Networking
  • Threat detection

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your Network Administrator experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Monitoring

    Map transferable skills — Monitoring — against what a Network Security Engineer needs.

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

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Network segmentation
    • Scripting

    Raise Network segmentation, Scripting to the level a Network Security Engineer relies on.

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

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Firewalls (Fortinet/Palo Alto)
    • VPN / ZTNA
    • Networking

    Technologies

    Palo AltoCheck PointIPsec

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Firewalls (Fortinet/Palo Alto), VPN / ZTNA, Networking.

  4. 4. Master advanced Network Security Engineer skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • IPS / IDS
    • Threat detection

    Technologies

    SSL VPNZTNASuricata

    Handle the advanced topics: IPS / IDS, Threat detection.

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

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    Palo AltoCheck PointIPsecSSL VPNZTNASuricataAnsibleGit

    Be hands-on with Palo Alto, Check Point, IPsec and the rest of the target stack.

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

    4–8 weeks

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

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

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    Fortinet NSE 7Palo Alto PCNSACisco CCNP Security

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

Alternative routes