Network Monitoring and Intrusion Detection

Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection

Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection Career Overview

What is Network Monitoring and Intrusion Detection?

Watching for abnormal or unauthorised activity on systems and networks is central to this role. Intrusion detection and prevention technologies will assist with a lot of this, but managing such systems and understanding what they indicate requires solid technical abilities. Professionals in this role are always on the lookout for any strange events because there is always a chance that these tools won't suffice.

In order to identify threats and breaches, effective network security monitoring requires teams to gather, analyse, and correlate security data from both cloud and on-premises systems. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) are often not sufficient enough on their own.

Individuals in this role may collaborate with other sectors, such as the Security Engineering team (to improve the detection technologies) and the Cyber Threat Intelligence team, depending on the size of your organisation (to work out where to focus your efforts). Regardless of the organisation’s framework, those in this role consistently maintain their own knowledge and abilities, ensuring they are current and relevant.

Roles & Responsibilities

What are the roles and responsibilities of a Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection Practitioner?

The tasks likely included in this role are as follows:
  • Keep track of security alert queues, look into and prioritise incidents according to their severity, and take precautions to reduce hazards.
  • System audits, detect trouble spots, and establish strategic solutions.
  • Establish and update network security policies.
  • Establish, maintain, observe, and troubleshoot network defence tools.
  • Takes charge of overseeing significant connections with security partners and other internal departments.
Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection Salary

What is the salary of a Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection Practitioner?

As of September 2022, the median salary for a practitioner is £55,000, although salaries of £110,000 for senior practitioners have been reported. Most of the higher salaries are based in the UK’s larger cities, so it is expected that roles elsewhere may offer lower wages.

Data has been taken from ITJobsWatch (IT Jobs Watch | Real-Time Digital & IT Job Market Trends & Actionable Insights), which calculates the median from job vacancies published online within the last 6 months.

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours

What are the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required in Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection?

  • Strong knowledge of the security implications of networking and telecommunication protocols, including the security of routing, network security components, and specific cryptographic algorithms used for network security.
  • An understanding of the setup, management, and upkeep of secure systems, including the detection and reaction to security issues, the gathering and use of threat intelligence, as well as the detection and response to security incidents.
  • Familiarity with the technical aspects of exploits and distributed malicious systems, as well as the related methods for identification and analysis.
Career paths in Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection

What are the career paths in Network Monitoring & Intrusion Detection?

The majority of positions in this speciality, especially those that are not combined with other positions, will be with large organisations that have substantial needs in terms of cyber security, or, more likely, with Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) that keep an eye on the networks of numerous client organisations. Practitioners and senior practitioners will typically have two degrees of accountability in these situations.

Network Monitoring and Intrusion Detection Practitioners:

  • A practitioner in this pathway will oversee, inspect, and upkeep networks.
  • Might also assist or collaborate with the team's more senior network monitoring professionals.

Network Monitoring and Intrusion Detection Senior Practitioners:

  • Will manage investigations and solve high-impact security issues and will be responsible for complicated situations.
  • Will oversee the maintenance of several clients' systems under their supervision
  • Will also be expected to mentor and assist less experienced professionals inside the organisation.

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