🔧 Artificer → Security Engineer / Tool Developer
“Don’t just use the tools. Build them. Automate them. Make them better.”
Your Role in the Party
While others use security tools, you build them. While analysts run queries manually, you automate them. You’re the engineer who makes security actually work at scale—building detection pipelines, developing custom tooling, and creating the infrastructure that the rest of the security team relies on.
Security Engineers design and implement security controls. Detection Engineers build the rules and pipelines that turn raw telemetry into actionable alerts. Tool Developers create the custom solutions that commercial products can’t provide. All of these are Artificer paths.
This role rewards builders. You get satisfaction from creating something that works, optimizing it until it’s elegant, and watching others benefit from what you built. Your code protects the organization 24/7, even when you’re asleep.
📊 Your Stat Spread
| Stat | Score | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| STR | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Hands-on implementation is your core. You don’t just design—you build, test, iterate, deploy. |
| INT | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Deep technical knowledge across security domains, programming, and infrastructure. |
| CON | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Complex builds take time. You persist through debugging sessions and infrastructure challenges. |
| DEX | ⭐⭐⭐ | Pivot between different engineering tasks—detection rules today, automation tomorrow. |
| WIS | ⭐⭐⭐ | Understand security patterns well enough to know what to build and where gaps exist. |
| CHA | ⭐⭐ | Document your tools, share your work. Your code speaks for itself, but docs help. |
🎭 Neurodivergent Advantages
Your traits are class features, not bugs:
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Hyperfocus on Optimization (CON): When you’re building something interesting, you can work on it for hours. ADHD hyperfocus is perfect for those deep engineering sessions where you’re making something just right.
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Systems Thinking (INT): Autistic pattern recognition excels at understanding how complex systems fit together—infrastructure, code, data flows, dependencies.
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Combining Theory with Practice (STR + INT): You’re not satisfied just knowing how something works. You need to build it, run it, break it, fix it. That hands-on drive produces real results.
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Special Interests in Technology: If you’ve ever hyperfocused on a programming language, infrastructure tool, or security technology—that knowledge directly translates to engineering work.
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Automation as Second Nature: Neurodivergent engineers often automate repetitive tasks instinctively. “Why do this manually twice when I can script it once?”
🗺️ Career Path
Sysadmin → Security Engineer → Senior Engineer → Detection Engineer → Staff/Principal
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
(IT Foundation) (Security Focus) (Specialization) (Architecture/Leadership)Alternative Entry Points:
- Software Developer → Security Engineer (strong coding background)
- DevOps Engineer → Security Engineer (infrastructure expertise)
- SOC Analyst → Detection Engineer (domain knowledge + automation)
Common Artificer Multiclasses:
- Artificer/Ranger: Detection Engineer with hunting capabilities
- Artificer/Warlock: Security Engineer with purple team focus
- Artificer/Paladin: Security Engineer → Security Architect
📜 Certification Pathway
Level 1-5: Foundation (0-2 years)
| Certification | Org | Type | Cost | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA | Multiple Choice | ~$425 | Baseline security knowledge before engineering it. |
| CompTIA Linux+ | CompTIA | Multiple Choice | ~$369 | Linux fundamentals. Most security tools run on Linux. |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | AWS | Multiple Choice | ~$100 | Cloud basics. Security engineering is increasingly cloud-native. |
Neurodivergent Note: Get the basics, then get hands-on fast. Artificers learn by building, not by studying for multiple choice exams. Use these for foundation, then shift to practical work.
Level 6-10: Specialization (2-5 years)
| Certification | Org | Type | Cost | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Security Specialty | AWS | Multiple Choice | ~$300 | Cloud security engineering. Essential for modern environments. |
| CKS (Certified Kubernetes Security) | CNCF | Practical | ~$395 | Container security. Practical exam, hands-on format. |
| GCSA (Security Automation) | SANS/GIAC | Practical | ~$999 (exam) + ~$8,500 (SEC586) | Python for security automation. SEC586 is built for Artificers. |
| GCDA (Detection Analyst) | SANS/GIAC | Practical | ~$999 (exam) + ~$8,500 (SEC555) | Detection engineering. Build SIEM content, not just query it. |
Neurodivergent Note: CKS is hands-on and respects your time. AWS Security Specialty opens cloud doors. GCSA (SEC586) is literally Python security automation—your sweet spot.
Level 11-15: Advanced (5-8 years)
| Certification | Org | Type | Cost | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMON (Continuous Monitoring) | SANS/GIAC | Practical | ~$999 (exam) + course | Detection at scale. Network monitoring and security architecture. |
| GDSA (Defensible Security Architecture) | SANS/GIAC | Practical | ~$999 (exam) + course | Design security infrastructure. Move from building to architecting. |
| CCSP (Cloud Security Professional) | ISC² | Multiple Choice | ~$599 | Cloud security architecture. Vendor-neutral cloud credential. |
Neurodivergent Note: At this level, you’re choosing specialization: cloud architecture, detection engineering, or security infrastructure. Pick what interests you most.
Level 16-20: Mastery (8+ years)
| Certification | Org | Type | Cost | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSE (Security Expert) | SANS/GIAC | Practical + Lab | ~$3,500 | Elite-level validation. Multi-day practical exam. |
| CISM | ISACA | Multiple Choice | ~$575 | Security management. If you want to lead engineering teams. |
Neurodivergent Note: GSE is the hardest GIAC certification—it validates elite technical skills. CISM is for the leadership path if you want to run engineering teams.
🛠️ Your Toolkit
Primary Weapons
| Tool | Type | What It Does | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python | Language | Your primary scripting language. Automation, tooling, integration. | python.org |
| Terraform | IaC | Infrastructure as Code. Deploy security infrastructure repeatably. | terraform.io |
| Elastic Stack | SIEM/Detection | Build detection pipelines. Ingest, parse, alert, visualize. | elastic.co |
Infrastructure & Automation
| Tool | Purpose | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Ansible | Configuration management and automation | ansible.com |
| Docker | Containerization for security tools | docker.com |
| Kubernetes | Container orchestration at scale | kubernetes.io |
| GitHub Actions | CI/CD for security automation | github.com/features/actions |
| GitLab CI | Alternative CI/CD with built-in security scanning | docs.gitlab.com |
Detection & Monitoring
| Tool | Purpose | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Sigma | Detection rule format—write once, deploy anywhere | GitHub |
| Suricata | Network IDS/IPS with custom rule support | suricata.io |
| Wazuh | Open-source security monitoring platform | wazuh.com |
| YARA | Pattern matching for malware detection | GitHub |
| osquery | SQL-based endpoint telemetry | osquery.io |
Security Tool Development
| Tool | Purpose | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Go | Systems programming for security tools | go.dev |
| Rust | Memory-safe systems programming | rust-lang.org |
| Scapy | Packet manipulation in Python | scapy.net |
| Pwntools | CTF and exploit development framework | GitHub |
Fun Tools from Awesome Lists
Source: awesome-security
| Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Security Onion | Full security monitoring stack in a box |
| TheHive | Open-source incident response platform |
| MISP | Threat intelligence sharing platform |
| GRR Rapid Response | Google’s incident response framework |
| Zeek | Network security monitoring and scripting |
| Falco | Runtime security for containers and Kubernetes |
📚 Learning Resources
Free Resources
YouTube Channels:
- NetworkChuck - Infrastructure and security basics with energy
- IppSec - HackTheBox walkthroughs with engineering insights
- LiveOverflow - Deep technical security content
- John Hammond - Security tooling and automation
Practice Platforms:
- TryHackMe - “Security Engineer” and “DevSecOps” paths
- HackTheBox - Pro Labs for enterprise-scale environments
- KodeKloud - DevOps and Kubernetes training
- Elastic Training - Free SIEM and detection courses
- CyberDefenders - Blue team challenges to build detections for
Essential Reading:
- Detection Engineering Weekly - Newsletter on building better detections
- tl;dr sec Newsletter - Security engineering news digest
- AWS Security Blog - Cloud security architecture
- Elastic Security Labs - Detection research and engineering
Books for Artificers
| Book | Author | Why Read It |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hat Python | Justin Seitz | Python for security tools. Practical projects you’ll actually use. |
| Practical Binary Analysis | Dennis Andriesse | Deep systems understanding for security tool development. |
| Site Reliability Engineering | How Google does infrastructure. Applies directly to security engineering. | |
| Infrastructure as Code | Kief Morris | Modern infrastructure practices. O’Reilly essential. |
| Crafting the InfoSec Playbook | Jeff Bollinger et al. | Building detection and response capabilities. |
| The Practice of Cloud System Administration | Limoncelli et al. | Large-scale systems—security engineering at scale. |
Podcasts
| Podcast | Why Listen |
|---|---|
| Detection Engineering Weekly | Newsletter companion—detection building focus |
| Security Weekly | Technical deep-dives on security tools and engineering |
| Software Engineering Daily | Engineering practices that apply to security |
| Risky Business | Weekly security news with technical depth |
🎓 SANS Courses for Artificers
| Course | Cert | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC586: Blue Team Operations: Defensive Python | GCSA | Python security automation | Core Artificer skills |
| SEC555: SIEM with Tactical Analytics | GCDA | Detection engineering and SIEM | Detection Engineers |
| SEC540: Cloud Security and DevSecOps Automation | GCSA | Cloud security engineering | Cloud-focused Artificers |
| SEC588: Cloud Penetration Testing | GCPN | Cloud security testing | Understanding attack surface |
| SEC510: Public Cloud Security | GPCS | Multi-cloud security architecture | Cloud architecture |
🏆 Building Your Magic Items
Early Career Achievements:
- Automate a manual security task with Python
- Deploy a security tool using Docker
- Write and deploy a Sigma detection rule
- Build a home lab with ELK stack or Security Onion
- Contribute to an open-source security project
Mid-Career Achievements:
- Build a detection-as-code pipeline
- Deploy security monitoring in a cloud environment
- Create a tool that others on your team use daily
- Earn AWS Security Specialty or CKS
- Present an engineering solution at team/company level
Senior Achievements:
- Own your organization’s detection engineering program
- Design security architecture for a major initiative
- Earn GCSA (SEC586) or equivalent
- Open-source a security tool with active users
- Mentor junior engineers on security automation
🧭 Multiclassing Guide
Adding Ranger Levels (Threat Hunting)
Combine engineering with proactive hunting:
- SANS FOR508 for hunt methodology
- Build automated hunt queries that run continuously
- Create detection rules from your hunt findings
“I don’t just build detections—I hunt for threats and automate what I find.”
Adding Warlock Levels (Purple Team)
Build purple team infrastructure and tooling:
- Learn Atomic Red Team execution and automation
- Build adversary simulation pipelines
- Create detection validation workflows
“I build the infrastructure for red team, blue team, and everything in between.”
Adding Paladin Levels (Architecture)
Move from building to designing:
- Study security architecture frameworks (SABSA, TOGAF)
- SANS SEC530 for defensible architecture
- Focus on system design over implementation
“I don’t just build security tools—I design security systems.”
💡 Neurodivergent Learning Strategies
For ADHD:
- Engineering’s variety helps—build, break, debug, optimize, repeat
- Use the satisfaction of “it works!” as dopamine reward
- Switch between coding and infrastructure tasks when focus wanes
- Automate the boring stuff so you can focus on interesting problems
For Autism:
- Code provides consistent, logical feedback—it works or it doesn’t
- Build systematic testing frameworks for your tools
- Deep-dive on specific technologies as special interests
- Documentation as satisfying structure creation
For Both:
- The “build → test → iterate” loop is deeply satisfying
- Your tools work 24/7—asynchronous impact is perfect for variable energy
- Optimization hyperfocus produces genuinely better tools
- Your attention to detail catches bugs others miss
🎯 Not Sure If You’re an Artificer?
Take the Character Creation Quiz to discover your cybersecurity class and get personalized recommendations!
📖 Continue Your Journey
- View All Classes
- Blue Team: Fighter - Build SOC experience before engineering detections
- Blue Team: Ranger - If threat hunting calls to you
- Purple: Warlock - If you want purple team variety
“The best security isn’t done by people. It’s built by people, then runs forever.”