Technology · £55,000 - £90,000

Top Resume Keywords for Security Engineer

Q: What keywords should I put on my Security Engineer resume?

The most important keywords for a Security Engineer resume include: security architecture, application security, DevSecOps, threat modelling, encryption. You should also consider adding: zero trust, incident response, security automation.

Q: What ATS score should a Security Engineer aim for?

Aim for an ATS score of 80% or higher. This means your resume includes most of the critical keywords from the job description. Scores below 60% usually mean your resume will be filtered out before a recruiter sees it.

Q: What certifications help a Security Engineer resume?

Valuable certifications for a Security Engineer include: CISSP, Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), AWS Certified Security – Specialty. Adding these to your resume can significantly boost your ATS score and credibility.

Designs and implements security architecture, controls, and automation to protect applications and infrastructure. Embeds security into the software development lifecycle. Here are the keywords, skills, and certifications that will help your resume get past ATS filters and in front of hiring managers.

Essential Keywords

These are the core skills recruiters and ATS systems look for in Security Engineer resumes. Missing these will likely get your application filtered out.

security architectureapplication securityDevSecOpsthreat modellingencryptionidentity and access managementcloud securitypenetration testingcompliance frameworkssecure coding

Preferred Skills

These keywords give you an edge over other candidates. They show broader capability and cultural fit.

zero trustincident responsesecurity automationvendor managementmentoringtechnical documentation

Certifications

CISSPCertified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)AWS Certified Security – Specialty

Tools and Software

Burp SuiteTerraformVaultAWS Security HubSnykSonarQubeOWASP ZAP

Example Resume Summary

Here is a strong resume summary for a Security Engineer position. Notice how it naturally weaves in key skills and quantifiable achievements.

“Security Engineer with 7 years of experience embedding security into CI/CD pipelines and cloud infrastructure for fintech organisations. Designed a zero-trust architecture that eliminated 3 critical attack vectors and achieved SOC 2 Type II compliance.”

How to Use These Keywords on Your Resume

1. Match the job description

Do not just copy and paste this list. Read the specific job posting and identify which of these keywords appear. Use those exact phrases on your resume.

2. Show context, not just keywords

ATS systems are getting smarter. Instead of listing “project management” in a skills section, write “Led project management for a 12-person team delivering a cloud migration on time and under budget.”

3. Use both acronyms and full terms

Write “Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)” or “Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)” the first time, then use the acronym after. This covers both search patterns.

4. Place keywords strategically

Put the most important keywords in your summary, job titles, and the first bullet of each role. Many ATS systems weight content near the top of your resume more heavily.

5. Check your score

After updating your resume, run it through an ATS checker to see how well it matches the job description. Aim for 80% or higher.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What keywords should I put on my Security Engineer resume?

Focus on the essential skills: security architecture, application security, DevSecOps, threat modelling. Then add relevant certifications like CISSP. Always match keywords to the specific job posting you are applying for.

What ATS score should a Security Engineer aim for?

Target 80% or higher for the best results. Scores between 60-80% are reasonable but leave room for improvement. Below 60% means you are likely missing critical keywords and will get filtered out.

What tools should a Security Engineer list on their resume?

Common tools for this role include Burp Suite, Terraform, Vault, AWS Security Hub. Only list tools you are genuinely proficient with, as you may be tested on them during interviews.

How many keywords should I include?

There is no magic number. Focus on naturally incorporating the keywords that appear in the job posting. Keyword stuffing (repeating the same term multiple times) can actually hurt you with modern ATS systems.