When building cyber networks, several parties are involved in their conception, creation, and maintenance. For cybersecurity and network engineers, they help build and maintain the network through safe practices and commonly used protocols. Security engineers generally start by developing standards and practices based on both industry standards and organization specific needs. This is where the voices of stakeholders, legal departments, and other parties come in. From there, the network is developed. After the network is developed, engineers perform tasks such as installing and maintaining relevant security software, monitoring networks, developing automation scripts, and supervising any changes. They also perform penetration testing and conduct scans to find any potential vulnerabilities.

Before a cyber network is established, or even deemed necessary by an organization, the principles of engineering help build the foundation for secure, safe, and effective cyber networks. Systems engineering principles, which focus on trustworthiness, security, and meeting crucial requirements, set the standard for what a cyber network should be. Without those principles, cyber networks would fall apart. Broad, holistic security perspectives also help ensure that the network is not simply meeting industry requirements. Instead, it focuses on the needs of the organization as a whole. When the organization has the same shared mindset and goals, engineers are empowered to secure networks and keep them safe.

Engineers generally make cyber networks safer by simply performing the standard tasks associated with maintenance and support. This is sufficient and keeps the cyber network running as it should. Further, these everyday tasks are what prove to be the most influential in making a cyber network safer. However, core engineering principles that focus on security, integrity, and trustworthiness help set the standards that cyber networks are built on. Without that philosophy, cyber networks would be vulnerable. Additionally, without engineers, that philosophy would be ultimately useless.

Ross, R.S., et al. (2018). Systems Security Engineering: Considerations for a Multidisciplinary Approach in the Engineering of Trustworthy Secure Systems. National Institute of Standards and Technology.