Cloud Forensic Analyst IV

Nightwing Intelligence Solutions, LLC; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance and vision

Dental insurance

401k plan

PTO and Holidays

Additional insurances

Job summary

Nightwing is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide onsite incident response for civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners facing cyber-attacks, delivering immediate investigation and mitigation. The Cloud Forensics Analyst role offers training opportunities and career growth within Cloud Forensics.

Desired skills/certs/education will guide training plans for candidates showing cyber aptitude and strong work ethic. The CFA role requires U.S.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• 10 years of direct relevant experience in cyber forensic investigations.
• Understanding of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS in the Cloud Environment.
• Ability to create forensically sound duplicates of evidence.
• Ability to author cyber investigative reports.

Responsibilities

• Acquire/collect computer artifacts during onsite engagements.
• Triage electronic devices and assess evidentiary value.
• Correlate forensic findings to network events for intrusion narratives.
• Document system state information prior to imaging when required.
• Perform forensic triage to determine scope and urgency.
• Track and document forensic analysis from start to finish.
• Process, preserve, analyze and present computer evidence.
• Coordinate with Government staff and customer personnel to validate findings.
• Analyze forensic images for reports and written products.
• Assist with documenting and publishing CND guidance and reports.

Skills

Cyber forensics

Incident response

Cloud forensics

SaaS/PaaS/IaaS

Forensic tools

PowerShell

Python

Linux/Unix

Windows

Evidence handling

Education

BS in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering or related

HS Diploma + 10 years host or digital forensics experience

Tools

Forensic imaging tools

Microsoft 365/Azure related security

Job description

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Nightwing provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services to meet our customers’ most demanding challenges. Our capabilities include cyber space operations, cyber defense and resiliency, vulnerability research, ubiquitous technical surveillance, data intelligence, lifecycle mission enablement, and software modernization. Nightwing brings disruptive technologies, agility, and competitive offerings to customers in the intelligence community, defense, civil, and commercial markets.

Nightwing is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber-attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services.

Nightwing is seeking a Cloud Forensics Analyst to support this critical customer mission. The CFA is a recently identified position for the HIRT and affords ample opportunities for training and career growth within the Cloud Forensics field. The Desired Skills/CERTs/Education are not required and will be used to develop training plans for candidates/team members that demonstrate a cyber aptitude, desire to learn and strong work ethic.

Responsibilities:

• Acquire/collect computer artifacts (e.g., malware, user activity, link files) in support of onsite engagements
• Triage electronic devices and assess evidentiary value
• Correlate forensic findings to network events in support of developing an intrusion narrative
• Collect and document system state information (e.g. running processes, network connections) prior to imaging, as required
• Perform forensic triage of an incident to include determining scope, urgency and potential impact
• Track and document forensic analysis from initial participation through resolution
• Collect, process, preserve, analyze and present computer related evidence
• Coordinate with Government staff and customer personnel to validate/investigate alerts or additional preliminary findings
• Conduct analysis of forensic images, and available evidence in support of forensic write-ups for inclusion in reports and written products
• Assist with documenting and publishing Computer Network Defense (CND) guidance and reports pertaining to incident findings

Required Skills/Clearances:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability
• 10 years of direct relevant experience in cyber forensic investigations using leading edge technologies and industry standard forensic tools
• In depth understanding of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS in the Cloud Environment
• Ability to create forensically sound duplicates of evidence (forensic images)
• Ability to author cyber investigative reports documenting digital forensics findings
• Proficiency with analysis and characterization of cyber attacks
• Proficiency with proper evidence handing procedures and chain of custody protocols
• Skilled in identifying different classes of attacks and attack stages
• Understanding of system and application security threats and vulnerabilities
• Understanding of proactive analysis of systems and networks, to include creating trust levels of critical resources- Able to work collaboratively across physical locations
• Action-oriented and have a proactive approach to problem solving
• Proficiency with common operating systems (e,g, Linux/Unix, Windows)

Desired Skills:

• Ability to provide knowledge of strategies/architectures involved in implementing M365/Azure authentication, how these hook to a federated identity solution and a fundamental understanding of how threat actors would target identity to compromise an environment
• Advanced experience and proficiency across various aspects of IT operations (e.g. networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data management, governance)
• Experience and understanding in acquisition, processing and analysis of digital evidence from onsite enterprises and cloud native platforms
• Fundamental understanding of APIs and proficiency with PowerShell/PowerShell modules leveraged to conduct API queries as they relate to Azure/M365
• Proficiency with scripting languages (e.g. Bash, Python, Powershell, JS) for automation of hunt tools used in commercial cloud environments- Ability to develop tools, architecture and configurations in Azure environment to support identifying threat activity.
• Understanding of Azure administration, M365 administration and/or development/DevOps, with advanced level skills in at least one of these domains
• Understand of how Azure/M365 platform protection is implemented and security operations available

Desired Certifications/Education:

• One or more of the following certifications: GCFA, GCFE, GCIH, EnCE, CCE, CFCE, CISSP, AWS Practitioner, AWS Certified Developer, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, AWS Certified Architect, Kubernetes Security SpecialistMS-500: Microsoft 365 Security AdministrationAZ-900:Azure FundamentalsAZ-500: Azure Security TechnologiesAZ-303: Azure Architect TechnologiesAZ-304: Azure Architect DesignMS-100: Microsoft 365 Identity and ServicesMS-101: Microsoft 365 Mobility and SecurityAZ-104: Azure Administrator SANS SEC 510, Public Cloud Security: AWS, Azure, and GCP SANS FOR509: Enterprise Cloud Forensics and Incident Response (BETA)SEC 541: Cloud Monitoring and Threat DetectionSEC584: Cloud Native Security: Defending Containers and KubernetesSEC588: Cloud Penetration testing AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate or AWS Certified Developer Associate or AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional or AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional

Required Education:

BS Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering or related degree; or HS Diploma 10 years of host or digital forensics experience.

Salary & Benefits

The salary associated with this position ($122,000-$253,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.

• Nightwing offers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.

Nightwing is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.

Previously part of a leading Fortune 100 company and headquartered in Dulles, VA; Nightwing became independent in 2024 but continues to support the nation’s most mission impactful initiatives. When we formed Nightwing, we brought a deep set of credentials and an unfaltering commitment to the mission. For over four decades, our team has been providing some of the world’s most technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence support services to the U.S. government on its most important missions. At Nightwing, we value collaboration and teamwork. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. Together, we’ll leverage our collective expertise to drive innovation, solve complex problems, and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Thank you for considering joining us as we embark on this new journey and shape the future of cybersecurity and intelligence together as part of the Nightwing team.