Hire the Best Cybersecurity Engineers

Clients rate our Cybersecurity Engineers
Rating is 4.7 out of 5.
4.7/5
Based on 1,041 client reviews
Nadheera S.

Ganemulla, Sri Lanka

$25/hr
5.0
24 jobs

Hello! I’m Nadheera Senasinghe, a cybersecurity professional and AI security specialist with a proven record of protecting enterprise infrastructures, securing AI-powered applications, and leading digital transformation initiatives globally. As the Chief Project Manager and Co-founder of Red Threat Cyber Security (RTCS), I lead a team of expert ethical hackers, AI engineers, and compliance auditors delivering tailored cybersecurity and AI solutions for startups, healthcare providers, fintech platforms, SaaS companies, and regulated enterprises. 🔐 Cybersecurity Services Offered: • Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking – Web, Mobile, API, IoT, and Network Pentesting – OWASP Top 10, SQLi, XSS, CSRF, RCE, RFI, and Serialization Attacks – Red Teaming, Adversary Emulation, and Purple Teaming – Pentesting for LLM/GPT apps (prompt injection, model exploitation) • Managed Security Services (MSSP) – SIEM (Splunk, Azure Sentinel, QRadar) & SOAR – 24/7 Threat Monitoring, EDR/XDR Deployment – SOC/NOC Architecture & Incident Response Playbooks • Cloud Security & DevSecOps – Cloud Audits (AWS, Azure, GCP), Zero Trust Design – Kubernetes & Docker Security, CI/CD Hardening – Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Reviews • Governance, Risk & Compliance – HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001, NIST CSF, SOC 2, PCI-DSS – Risk Assessments, DPIAs, Gap Analysis & Internal Audits • Threat Intelligence & OSINT – Corporate Recon, Espionage Risk Identification – Executive Profiling, Dark Web Monitoring • CISO-as-a-Service & Awareness Training – Virtual CISO Engagements – Custom Security Awareness Workshops 🤖 AI & GPT Integration Services: • LLM & GPT Security – Prompt Injection Prevention – Jailbreak Testing, Output Control – Secure API Wrapping & Audit Logging • Custom GPT Application Development – SEO GPT (w/ Moz API), Compliance GPT, Pentest GPT – Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Systems – Red Mallory: A proof-of-concept GPT demonstrating AI vulnerabilities (for research/awareness) • Secure AI Deployments – LLM System Design with Role-Based Access & Token Control – Data Leakage Protection for AI Systems – AI-driven Compliance Automation Tools 🎓 Certifications & Tools: • ISC² Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) • NIST CSF Practitioner | Google Project Management Certified • Tools: Burp Suite, Metasploit, Nessus, Nmap, Splunk, Nikto, IriusRisk, Wireshark, Threat Modeler, Microsoft TMT, DirBuster, OpenVAS 🌍 Client Locations & Industries Served: We’ve delivered successful projects in the USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Ghana, Hungary, and Latvia, serving sectors like: • Healthcare & HIPAA Platforms • Fintech & Payment Systems • SaaS & LLM-Based Startups • E-Commerce, Oil & Gas, Real Estate, and Public Sector Projects include HIPAA audits, fintech pentesting, red teaming for remote-first organizations, cloud security assessments, GPT app development, and cyber defense automation. 🚫 Please Note: I do NOT offer personal hacking, scam recovery, crypto wallet recovery, or any illegal services. 📩 Let’s Work Together! Whether you're building secure AI applications, improving your cyber defense posture, or seeking compliance-ready solutions—I bring hands-on leadership, global delivery experience, and technical excellence to every engagement. Let’s secure your digital future together.

  • Cybersecurity Management
  • Python
  • Project Management
  • Cybersecurity Tool
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Agent GPT
  • Prompt Engineering
  • Generative AI Software
  • Retrieval Augmented Generation
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional
  • Penetration Testing
  • Managed Services
  • AI Security
  • Cloud Security
Oleksandr F.

Chernivtsi, Ukraine

$45/hr
5.0
21 jobs

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Most penetration testers deliver automated scanner reports full of false positives. I deliver real, exploitable vulnerabilities with working Proof of Concepts (PoCs), business-focused risk analysis, and developer-friendly remediation guidance-the exact weaknesses an attacker would exploit in production. I'm a Cybersecurity Engineer, Penetration Tester, Cloud Security Engineer, and Ethical Hacker with 12+ years of hands-on experience helping organizations strengthen their security posture. I've completed projects for 663+ clients across 36 countries, delivered 900+ security assessments, identified 2,700+ vulnerabilities, and maintained an 80% repeat client rate by focusing on practical results instead of generic reports. Whether you need a Cybersecurity Engineer to strengthen your infrastructure, a Penetration Tester for compliance, a Cloud Security Engineer to secure AWS, Azure, or GCP, or an experienced Ethical Hacker to simulate real-world attacks, I deliver actionable results that reduce business risk. Why Clients Choose Me ✔ 12+ years of professional Cyber Security experience ✔ 663+ clients across 36 countries ✔ 900+ penetration testing engagements ✔ 2,700+ vulnerabilities identified ✔ 500+ Critical & High-risk findings ✔ 140+ Cloud Security assessments ✔ 75+ Incident Response investigations ✔ 80% repeat client rate As a Cybersecurity Expert, I've helped startups, enterprise organizations, healthcare providers, fintech companies, SaaS businesses, blockchain platforms, and eCommerce companies improve Cyber Security, strengthen Cloud Security, and prepare for SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS. Core Services Web Application Penetration Testing As a Penetration Tester, I identify vulnerabilities automated scanners miss, including SQL Injection, XSS, SSRF, XXE, CSRF, RCE, IDOR, authentication and authorization flaws, business logic vulnerabilities, API weaknesses, and OWASP Top 10 risks. Every Penetration Tester engagement simulates realistic attacker behavior rather than simply generating automated scan results. Cloud Security As a Cloud Security Engineer, I secure AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform environments through comprehensive Cloud Security assessments covering IAM, Kubernetes, Docker, cloud storage, VPC architecture, serverless security, DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, secrets management, logging, and monitoring. My Cloud Security reviews regularly uncover privilege escalation paths, exposed storage buckets, insecure IAM configurations, vulnerable Kubernetes deployments, and cloud misconfigurations before attackers exploit them. Infrastructure & Mobile Security Infrastructure penetration testing includes Windows, Linux, Active Directory, VPNs, wireless networks, privilege escalation, and lateral movement. Mobile security assessments cover Android, iOS, reverse engineering, static and dynamic analysis, API security, secure storage, certificate pinning, root detection, and jailbreak detection. As a Cybersecurity Engineer, I evaluate infrastructure from an attacker's perspective while providing practical remediation recommendations. Secure Code Review & Incident Response Manual code reviews, SAST, DAST, malware analysis, digital forensics, threat hunting, cloud forensics, and Incident Response. I frequently collaborate with Java Developer teams, DevOps engineers, architects, security teams, and every IT Project Manager responsible for secure delivery and reliable IT Service operations. What You Receive ✔ Executive Summary ✔ Technical Report ✔ Business Risk Assessment ✔ CVSS Prioritization ✔ Working Proof of Concepts ✔ Developer-Friendly Remediation ✔ Free Retesting ✔ Long-Term Security Recommendations Selected Results • Helped a FinTech startup secure $20M+ in funding before a SOC 2 assessment. • Identified multiple critical smart contract vulnerabilities before production. • Helped a healthcare SaaS platform prepare for HIPAA compliance. • Reduced remediation time by 40% through prioritized reporting. • Improved Cloud Security across enterprise AWS environments. Certifications OSCP • CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) • OWASP • PTES • MITRE ATT&CK • NIST • CVSS My experience as a Certified Ethical Hacker, Cybersecurity Expert, Cybersecurity Engineer, Penetration Tester, and Cloud Security Engineer allows me to deliver security assessments that satisfy both technical teams and business stakeholders. If you're looking for a Cybersecurity Engineer, Penetration Tester, Cloud Security Engineer, Ethical Hacker, or Cybersecurity Expert, I'd be happy to help secure your applications, infrastructure, APIs, cloud environment, mobile apps, or blockchain platform before attackers find the vulnerabilities first.

  • System Security
  • Cybersecurity Management
  • Database Security
  • Security Testing
  • Source Code Scanning
  • Web Application Firewall
  • Web App Penetration Testing
  • Network Penetration Testing
  • Network Security
  • Penetration Testing
  • Cybersecurity Monitoring
  • Information Security
  • ISO 27001
  • Cloud Security
  • Website Security
  • Application Security
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Mobile App Testing
  • API Testing
Muhammad Ahmad B.

Islamabad, Pakistan

$10/hr
5.0
7 jobs

I’m Muhammad Ahmad Bilal, a CISSP-certified Security Architect and Information Security Manager who works at the intersection of security engineering, threat detection, and AI. For the past 9+ years I’ve been designing and running security programs at government scale, protecting critical national applications, large user bases, and high-value data across the public sector. I specialise in turning noisy, complex environments into predictable, defensible systems. That’s included building ML-driven APT detection using TensorFlow and PyTorch, modernising SIEM/SOAR stacks to cut detection and response times by around 40%, and embedding security into the SDLC so vulnerabilities are caught before they ever reach production. I’ve led Zero Trust initiatives, redesigned IAM around least privilege, and driven end-to-end implementations of governance, risk, and compliance programmes aligned with standards like ISO 27001, NIST, PCI, GDPR, and HIPAA. I’m also an educator by choice. As a Lecturer at NUST, I’ve taught Computer and Network Security, Cryptography, Operating Systems, and Data Structures, and supervised 20+ research projects in cybersecurity and machine learning. My academic work includes publications on: - Deep learning–based intrusion detection for IoT - Protocol-aware IDS using datasets such as UNSW-NB15 and Bot-IoT - Federated learning with explainable AI for malicious traffic detection and cellular traffic prediction What I do best: - Design security architectures for large, heterogeneous environments that can actually be operated and maintained by real teams. - Build and tune detection & response: SIEM, EDR, and SOAR use cases, threat hunting workflows, and playbooks that reduce noise while catching what matters. - Integrate security into delivery through secure SDLC practices, code review guidelines, and automation that supports developers instead of blocking them. - Make compliance meaningful, mapping real technical and process controls to standards and regulations so they translate into measurable risk reduction. - Develop people and teams, mentoring analysts and engineers so security becomes an organisational capability, not a one-team bottleneck. In simple terms, my work is about building security systems—technical, procedural, and human—that don’t fall apart the moment something real happens.

  • Cybersecurity Management
  • Compliance
  • Information Security
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity Monitoring
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • Cryptography
  • SOC 1
  • SOC 2
  • SOC 3
  • ISO 27001
  • Information Security Audit
  • Information Security Consultation
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional
  • Information Security Governance
Vong C.

Pinellas Park, Florida

$65/hr
4.4
22 jobs

I help small and mid-sized businesses secure and streamline their Microsoft , cloud, identity, and end-user environments. With 12+ years of experience across IT operations and cybersecurity, I support organizations that need a trusted expert to improve security posture, stabilize systems, and reduce day-to-day technology risk without adding unnecessary complexity. I can help with: • Microsoft security reviews and hardening • Entra ID / Azure AD, MFA, Conditional Access, and identity governance • Intune and endpoint management • Email security, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and Defender policy configuration • SharePoint, Teams, and Microsoft tenant administration • Network and infrastructure security improvements • Incident response planning and security baseline assessments • Ongoing IT support for cloud and hybrid environments Clients work with me when they need someone who can communicate clearly, solve problems quickly, and bridge the gap between IT operations and cybersecurity. If you need help strengthening your Microsoft environment, improving identity and endpoint security, or building a more reliable IT foundation, I’d be happy to discuss your project.

  • Firewall
  • Application Security
  • Encryption
  • Security Engineering
  • Incident Management
  • Computer Network
  • Office 365
  • Cloud Architecture
  • Network Administration
  • Cloud Security
  • User Identity Management
  • Network Penetration Testing
  • Network Security
  • Incident Response Plan
  • Information Technology Operations
Chirag G.

Adelaide, Australia

$15/hr
5.0
22 jobs

Chirag has spent almost 15 years in cybersecurity and worked in 10 different countries with talented cyber engineers. So, he knows the difference between a virus and a worm. Early in his career, he provided network security for Fortune 500 clients before advancing to cybersecurity, where he then spent his time learning and securing multiple clouds. His journey led him to Australia, where he worked with the government before starting his company and consulting for South Australia Health Department and a major bank. He won several prestigious awards and earned around 26 technical certifications. Currently, he is working with a team of people much smarter than him at Cybernara. You can find him geeking out on LinkedIn at Chirag’s LinkedIn. Also, don’t forget to say hi.

  • Cybersecurity Management
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Risk Assessment
  • Network Security
  • Cloud Security
  • Security Analysis
  • Security Patch Installation
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity Tool
  • Cybersecurity Monitoring
  • Security Operation Center
  • Splunk
  • Information Security
  • Penetration Testing
Collins M.

Nairobi, Kenya

$50/hr
5.0
82 jobs

I help security vendors, MSSPs, SaaS teams, NGOs, and enterprise security teams strengthen their cybersecurity operations through practical security engineering, SIEM/logging expertise, incident response support, and clear technical documentation. I am a Cybersecurity Engineer and Technical Writer with 9+ years of hands-on experience across security operations, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability assessment, system hardening, compliance documentation, and cybersecurity product documentation. My background is not generic content writing. I have worked directly with SIEM, XDR, DLP, WAF, endpoint security, Linux systems, cloud platforms, vulnerability scanners, and security monitoring tools. I also have professional experience writing technical cybersecurity documentation for enterprise users, product teams, and security operations teams. I can help you with: * SIEM, logging, and security operations documentation * Incident response plans, SOC playbooks, and security runbooks * Vulnerability assessment reports and remediation guidance * Cybersecurity policies, procedures, compliance reports, and audit documentation * Security product documentation, integration guides, and troubleshooting guides * Cybersecurity blog articles, white papers, and technical explainers * Security awareness content and training materials * Device security, endpoint hardening, and operational security guidance * Risk assessments, security audits, and control gap analysis Tools and technologies I have worked with include Splunk, IBM QRadar, ELK Stack, Wazuh, Microsoft Sentinel, Chronicle, NXLog, Datadog, Prometheus, Zeek, Snort, Suricata, OSSEC, OpenVAS, Tenable Security Center, ModSecurity, WPScan, GitLab, MkDocs, Linux, Windows Server, AWS, Azure, and GCP. Security frameworks and standards I work with include ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, GDPR, NIST, SOC 2, CIS Controls, OWASP Top 10, and MITRE ATT&CK. Selected experience: * Conducted 50+ cybersecurity assessments on devices used by at-risk civil society groups. * Developed and delivered device security training to 100+ staff. * Authored 60+ cybersecurity product and integration documents for enterprise users. * Configured log collection and SIEM integrations with Splunk, ELK Stack, and IBM QRadar. * Deployed and configured SIEM, XDR, DLP, and WAF tools for telecom, finance, and public sector clients. * Led incident response for 30+ critical cyber threats. * Optimized 100+ SIEM detection rules to improve alert quality and reduce false positives. * Conducted 35+ vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. * Produced ISO 27001 and PCI-DSS compliance reports. * Led a managed security services project for a major telecom environment. Why clients work with me: * I understand cybersecurity from the engineering side, not just the writing side. * I can communicate clearly with executives, engineers, compliance teams, and end users. * I can turn messy technical information into structured, useful documentation. * I can help security teams reduce confusion, improve response workflows, and document security operations properly. * I am comfortable working remotely with international teams and long-term clients. If you need someone who can understand the technical details, ask the right security questions, and produce clear, practical deliverables, I can help.

  • Cybersecurity Management
  • Technical Writing
  • Information Security
  • Incident Response Plan
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Security Operation Center
  • ELK Stack
  • Cloud Security
  • Application Security
  • Information Security Governance
  • Cybersecurity Tool
  • Information Security Consultation
  • Penetration Testing
  • Security Assessment & Testing
  • Network Security

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What does a Cybersecurity engineer do?

A cybersecurity engineer builds and tests security controls to protect networks and systems throughout their entire development lifecycle. This role focuses on designing secure architectures rather than just monitoring them after deployment. You investigate active threats by collecting digital evidence and prioritizing response actions to limit damage. The work requires constant evaluation of system vulnerabilities against evolving cyber threats.

  • Design and develop information system security measures during every phase of the systems development life cycle. You evaluate these controls against strict requirements to verify they block unauthorized access before launch. This process involves creating detailed security design artifacts that guide developers in building safe code. Testing results document how well the system resists specific attack vectors defined in the project scope.
  • Investigate cyber incidents by analyzing log data from multiple sources to identify malicious activity. You use security information and event management tools to correlate events and generate precise alerts. Collecting digital evidence helps you determine the root cause of a breach and stop further intrusion. Prioritize response actions based on the severity of the threat to restore normal operations quickly.
  • Coordinate incident-response roles among technology professionals and incident handlers during a security crisis. You support recovery efforts by implementing fixes that prevent similar attacks from happening again. Continuous improvement relies on lessons learned from each incident to strengthen future defense strategies. Submit reports that detail the timeline of the event and the effectiveness of the countermeasures used.

How to hire a Cybersecurity engineer on Upwork

Step 1: Post a job

Define the security controls and incident-response capabilities you need by describing your systems in a few sentences. The Job Post Generator powered by Uma™, Upwork's Mindful AI drafts a complete post for this role based on your input. You can write a new post, update a saved draft, or reuse an existing post to start hiring.

  • Specify requirements for designing and testing information system security throughout the systems development life cycle.
  • List necessary tools such as SIEM platforms for log event monitoring and SOAR solutions for automated response actions.
  • Detail expectations for investigating cyber incidents by collecting evidence and prioritizing actions to limit damage.

Step 2: Evaluate candidates

Look for portfolios that show concrete artifacts from system security evaluations and incident handling. Uma runs instant video interviews and builds shortlists with side-by-side comparisons to help you assess these technical signals quickly.

  • Review test and evaluation reports that document results against specific security specifications and requirements.
  • Examine alerts and ticket entries derived from log data correlation to verify analytical precision.
  • Check for root-cause findings that demonstrate how a candidate restored operations after a verified incident.

Step 3: Interview your top choices

Discuss specific workflows for detecting malicious activity and coordinating recovery efforts. Schedule and conduct these interviews within Upwork Messages to receive an immediate transcript and summary after each session.

  • Ask how they integrate continuous improvement into the detect, respond, and recover functions of incident response.
  • Verify their method for using up-to-date cyber threat intelligence during log analysis and alert generation.
  • Confirm their experience coordinating with technology professionals and incident handlers during active breaches.

Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work

Set clear milestones for security design artifacts and incident-handling outputs. Use Upwork Messages and the contract workroom for communication and project management, plus identity verification, payment protection, hourly tracking, and project funds for security.

  • Define deliverables such as system security design documents and evaluated test results for each milestone.
  • Establish protocols for submitting analyzed evidence and prioritized response actions within the contract workroom.
  • Agree on reporting formats for alerts and tickets generated from automated or manual log analysis.

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.

The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.

How much does hiring a Cybersecurity engineer cost?

$500-$2,500 per project is a typical range for focused Cybersecurity engineer work. Final pricing depends on scope, technical complexity, required integrations, source-material quality, revision needs, and the freelancer's experience level.

Vulnerability assessment

$500-$1,200/project

Entry-level to mid-level
  • Documented system vulnerabilities and risk levels
  • Prioritized steps to patch identified security gaps
  • Verification of applied fixes and residual risks

Incident response analysis

$1,200-$3,000/project

Mid-level
  • Collected and analyzed data from security events
  • Detailed findings on attack vector and impact scope
  • Steps taken to restore operations and limit damage

SIEM configuration

$3,000-$6,000/project

Mid-level to senior-level
  • Integrated data feeds from servers and applications
  • Custom correlation logic for suspicious activity detection
  • Visual interface for real-time security monitoring

Security architecture design

$6,000-$10,000/project

Senior-level
  • Detailed diagrams of network security controls and zones
  • Written standards for access control and data protection
  • Alignment of design with industry regulatory requirements

Penetration testing

$10,000-$18,000/project

Expert-level
  • Simulated attacks against live systems and applications
  • Proof-of-concept code and detailed vulnerability breakdowns
  • Specific technical instructions to close exploited weaknesses

Frequently asked questions

Is hiring a Cybersecurity engineer worth it?

For most businesses, yes: hiring a Cybersecurity engineer is worthwhile. These specialists design and test security controls that protect your systems throughout their lifecycle. They also investigate incidents to limit damage and restore operations quickly.

How do I evaluate Cybersecurity engineer candidates?

Look for candidates who demonstrate experience with log data correlation and incident response workflows. A strong candidate will show how they used SIEM tools to generate alerts and prioritize response actions during past security events.

What tools does a Cybersecurity engineer use?

A Cybersecurity engineer uses SIEM and SOAR platforms to monitor networks and automate responses. They also rely on ticketing systems and cyber threat intelligence to analyze logs and manage security alerts.

What deliverables should I expect from a Cybersecurity engineer?

You should receive system security design artifacts and test evaluation reports that document results against requirements. The engineer will also submit incident-handling outputs that include analyzed evidence and root-cause findings.