Path 03 / Build

Security engineer

Build cloud, container and delivery pipelines that stay secure by default.

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  • CompTIASecurity+CompTIA Security+
  • AWSSecurity SpecialtyAWS Certified Security, Specialty
  • MicrosoftAZ-500Azure Security Engineer Associate
  • CNCFCKSCertified Kubernetes Security Specialist

What the job is

0:00 / 0:22

The path

3 courses, in order

  1. Cloud and Identity SecurityFix IAM, storage and token mistakes.Soon
  2. Container and Kubernetes SecurityHarden images and clusters.Soon
  3. Software Supply Chain SecurityPin, sign and verify what you ship.Soon

Where it leads

  1. 01Cloud or platform engineer
  2. 02Security engineer
  3. 03Senior or staff security engineer
  4. 04Security architect

The tools and the pay

  • AWS
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Google Cloud
  • Terraform
  • GitHub Actions
  • GitLab CI
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • Trivy
  • Sigstore
  • OpenSSF Scorecard
$129kMedian pay
$75k starting$200k+ top 10%
+21%Jobs by 2035

US figures, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.

Before you start

Take these in order

  1. FreeLinux FoundationsNavigate, search and audit a real Linux server.12 units / 73 lessons
  2. FreeNetworking EssentialsPackets, subnets, DNS and real captures.12 units / 68 lessons
  3. FreeHow the Web WorksHTTP, cookies and TLS, inspected with curl.10 units / 50 lessons
  4. Python for Security AutomationSmall Python tools defenders use daily.10 units / 55 lessons
  5. Cryptography BasicsHashes, keys, signatures and where they fail.11 units / 62 lessons
  6. Cloud Security FoundationsAudit IAM, storage, networks and AI access.12 units / 67 lessons
  7. Identity and Access SecurityStop the identity attacks behind most breaches.10 units / 48 lessons
  8. Secure Code and CISecure repos, packages, pipelines and releases.9 units / 41 lessons

Skills you will build

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Questions

Do security engineers need to code?

Yes. Most of the work is writing infrastructure code, automation and reviewing other people's code.

Should I learn one cloud or all three?

Learn one well first. The ideas carry over, and most companies use one main provider.

Is this a good path for developers?

It is one of the most natural moves for a developer, because you keep building while learning security.

Become a security engineer

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