What is a security software developer? Cybersecurity roles explained

Cybersecurity is about much more than hacking and incident response. Organizations need their builders, too. That’s where security software developers come in, designing and developing software that’s secure from the start. These are the craftspeople of cybersecurity, creating elegant solutions worthy of a *chef’s kiss* (and a healthy salary).

Here’s everything you need to know about security software developers, and what to start learning to land this role.

What is a security software developer?

Where many cybersecurity roles are focused in monitoring, threat detection, and response, the defense of networks and infrastructures, security software developers are the builders. They combine the skills of a traditional software developer with those of a cybersecurity expert to build and improve application security, software security, system security, and more. That might include everything from creating entirely new security technology that protects a system to updating existing programs with better defenses against evolving threats.

But, you may ask: shouldn’t every developer build secure software? Absolutely. Security software developers simply have their core focus on cybersecurity and generally sit on cybersecurity teams, as opposed to other developers, who certainly may apply security best practices and act as security champions on their development teams.

What do security software developers do?

A security software developer’s day-to-day activities can vary, especially with their unique blend of skillsets, but here are some of their common responsibilities:

Design and develop security solutions

At the core of a security software developer role is, you guessed it, developing software! Whether that means creating totally new security technologies or updating existing applications, you’ll take valuable inputs on an organization’s vulnerabilities, security requirements, and more to protect their systems. In addition to actual programming, you’re also likely to participate in the higher-level strategy and design that informs development.

Test and implement new programs

Security software developers also lead the testing and implementation of the software they develop. That also frequently involves troubleshooting and finding creative solutions to issues that (inevitably) arise during development.

Perform cybersecurity risk assessments and vulnerability analysis

You can’t exactly build cybersecurity solutions without knowing where your organization is vulnerable. Here security software developers overlap with other cyber roles in conducting frequent penetration tests that identify vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors. Those findings inform in-depth risk assessment and, in the end, the software you’ll build.

Collaborate with cybersecurity and other teams

Cybersecurity is always a team effort, and security software developers will spend lots of time collaborating with other teams, both within cybersecurity departments and outside. This collaboration can take many forms, from diving deeper into risk assessment and vulnerabilities with security analysts to advising other development teams on best practices for secure programming.

Qualifications to become a security software developer

While every organization differs, security software developers often need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Most employers will also expect some amount of prior experience in coding and software development. They may also prefer some experience in an adjacent cybersecurity role, but that’s not always a requirement. 

Employers are also likely to require cybersecurity certifications. And even if they’re not required, having certifications on your resume will improve your chances of getting hired. We’ll cover the key certifications to go after in a couple sections.

How much do security software developers get paid?

On average, security software developers make an average of $145,513 a year, according to Talent.com. More experienced developers can make closer to $196,000. And the entry-level salary sits around $122,000. Not bad. Not bad at all. The skills this role brings to organizations are valuable, and they’re willing to pay for it.

Certifications and skills for security software developers

Security software developers need a utility belt equipped with relevant certifications and in-demand skills both in cybersecurity and in other technologies (especially programming). Here’s what you should focus on.

Essential certifications for security software developers

CompTIA Security+: The vast majority of cybersecurity roles expect you to have this fundamental certification. Security+ will cover cybersecurity basics like incident response, evaluating security posture, and more.

Check out this Pluralsight learning path to prepare for the CompTIA Security+ exam.

Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP): Where Security+ is a broader certification, the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional validates the application security skills more specific to security software developers and ensures you can “incorporate security practices into each phase of the software development lifecycle.”

Prepare for the CSSLP exam with this Pluralsight learning path.

Essential skills for security software developers

Programming: Your hammer and nails, your magic crayon, programming languages are the critical skills you’ll use to develop secure software. You’ll likely need experience across a few languages, like Python, Java, C++, PowerShell, and SQL just to name a few.

Application testing: Development is just the start; you have to make sure your software works as intended! That’s where application testing skills come in. Testing the security of your software may involve skills like web app penetration testing or secure coding with OWASP.

Data science: Security software developers work with huge amounts of data on a daily basis. Data science skills will help you leverage automation to work more efficiently with that data, and to build data structures that help you organize and access data that’s relevant to your software development.

Communication and collaboration: Everyone plays a role in keeping your organization secure, whether their title has “security” anywhere in it. Security software developers must be able to work well with other teams both to understand the security posture of the organization and to help other teams understand how to weave security best practices into their work. All that requires a combination of understanding other teams’ functions and needs, as well as how to communicate complicated concepts in terms they’ll understand and see the value in. 

Creative problem-solving and critical thinking: This skill’s really at the center of everything you do as a security software developer. You need to be able to look beyond the obvious to create solutions to today’s problems and protect your organization into tomorrow.

Start learning your way to becoming a security software developer

Security software developers, the builders of the cybersecurity space, are critical for the secure operation of organizations. And with security threats evolving at the speed of innovation (that’s fast, if you haven’t noticed), secure development is only becoming more important. If you’ve got an eye for detail and enjoy finding creative solutions to important problems, this may be the role for you. 

Good luck, and happy learning!

For more resources on cybersecurity, check out these articles:

• How to get into cybersecurity with no prior experience
• Starting in cybersecurity: FAQs about how to get your first job
• Cybersecurity jobs: Key skills, certificates, and traits leaders want
• From Air Force pilot to CISO: How this security leader landed the top job
• 5 ways to get practical experience in tech (so you can land a job)