Important Network Engineer Skills One Should Know

Network security is critical, especially when dealing with regulated data. While many organizations have a dedicated IT security officer, end-to-end security requires everyone on an IT team to keep the network secure.

Fremont, CA: While automation is changing network engineers' roles, many network engineer skills cannot be automated away. Good communication skills, an understanding of network logic, and the ability to work with older network architectures are all essential for becoming the most desirable candidate.

Customer Relations

Depending on the nature of the company or organization one works for, one may be expected to troubleshoot networks for clients or handle front-end network issues. This requires excellent communication skills, the capability to explain technical issues to non-technical people, and the ability to understand and build relationships with the clients one works with.

Firewalls and Security

Network security is critical, especially when dealing with regulated data. While many organizations have a dedicated IT security officer, end-to-end security requires everyone on an IT team to keep the network secure. Network engineers also frequently deploy and maintain firewalls within the network.

Networking

The ability to network and route is required for the job. Engineers must be familiar with various network and architecture types and how they can be integrated into an existing system. It is critical to stay up to date on new developments as new network types emerge.

Analytics and Troubleshooting

Network engineers solve network problems both before and after they occur. It is critical to have analytical skills to understand where a problem is coming from and a dedicated troubleshooting process to effectively solve the problem and prevent it from happening again.