Cyber Defense Analyst

Leidos; Capitol Heights (MD); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Cyber Defense Analyst to join a mission-focused team supporting the Navy's cybersecurity environment at the ONI Hopper Global Communications Center in Suitland, MD. You will monitor and investigate alerts, identify threats, and support proactive threat hunting to protect TS/SCI networks.

The role requires extensive experience with SIEMs, NIDPS, and host-based tools, plus scripting and penetration testing knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field with 5+ years of experience.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• 5+ years of concentrated experience in the CND discipline.
• 3+ years monitoring and investigating alerts from cybersecurity tools.
• Experience with SIEMs such as Splunk and Elastic.
• Experience with NIDPS such as Cisco FirePower and Palo Alto NGFW; host tools Trellix ePO, Defender, Tanium.
• Knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, PowerShell, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, C, C++, Java.
• Knowledge of penetration testing tools such as Kali, SamuraiWTF, Nmap, Burp Suite, sqlmap, Metasploit.
• Knowledge of ticketing systems, report writing, and intelligence dissemination in cybersecurity.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform first line monitoring of security tools and initial analysis of alerts for TS/SCI networks.
• Monitor security tools for alerts, anomalies, and indicators of compromise.
• Investigate and perform initial technical analysis of cybersecurity alerts; escalate to Tier 2 as needed.
• Create and manage incident tickets within the ticketing system.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting to identify malicious activity.
• Perform wireless security scans of facilities and report findings.
• Correlate alerts across platforms to identify patterns and threats.
• Prepare and deliver operational and situational awareness briefings.
• Support annual cyber defense exercises.

Skills

Cybersecurity analysis

Threat hunting

Incident response

Scripting (Python, PowerShell)

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field

8+ years of experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Splunk

Elastic

Cisco FirePower

Palo Alto NGFW

Trellix ePO

Microsoft Defender

Tanium

Python

PowerShell

Nmap

Burp Suite

Metasploit

Kali Linux

Job description

Cyber Defense Analyst

Location: Suitland, MD

Clearance: Active TS/SCI

Day Shift Work Hours: 0730 - 1530

Leidos is seeking a Cyber Defense Analyst to join a mission focused team supporting the Navy's cybersecurity environment at the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) Hopper Global Communications Center (HGCC) in Suitland, MD.

In this role, you will serve on the front line of cyber defense, helping protect critical TS/SCI networks by monitoring and investigating cybersecurity alerts, identifying potential threats, and supporting proactive threat hunting activities. You will apply your experience in the Certified Network Defender (CND) discipline and knowledge of IT systems and networks to analyze security events, manage incident tickets, support intelligence gathering and analysis, and communicate findings to key stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform first line monitoring of security tools and conduct initial analysis of alerts for TS/SCI networks, including JWICS, ATLAS, and other networks for which HGCC is responsible.
• Monitor organizational cybersecurity tools for alerts, anomalies, and indicators of compromise.
• Investigate and perform initial technical analysis of cybersecurity alerts and events, escalating potential incidents to Tier 2 as appropriate.
• Create, update, and manage incident and event tickets within the approved ticketing system.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting activities to identify potential malicious activity and emerging threats.
• Perform wireless security scans of facilities and document and report findings.
• Correlate alerts and security events across multiple platforms to identify patterns, trends, and potential threats.
• Prepare and deliver operational and situational awareness briefings.
• Support annual cyber defense exercises.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Information Assurance, or a related area of study desired, with 5+ years of experience.
• 8+ years of relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• 5+ years of concentrated experience in the CND discipline, regardless of degree.
• 3+ years of professional experience monitoring and investigating alerts from cybersecurity tools.
• Experience with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems such as Splunk and Elastic.
• Experience with Network Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (NIDPS), such as Cisco FirePower and Palo Alto NGFW, as well as host based tools such as Trellix ePO, Microsoft Defender, and Tanium.
• Knowledge of scripting and coding languages such as Python, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, PowerShell, C, C++, and Java.
• Knowledge of penetration testing and red team tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as tools such as Kali, SamuraiWTF, Nmap, Burp Suite, sqlmap, and Metasploit.
• Knowledge of ticketing systems, report writing, and intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination techniques specific to cybersecurity.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem solving skills.

Required Certifications

• Must possess one of the following certifications: CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Cloud+, EC Council CEH, GIAC GCIA, GIAC GCIH, GICSP, or Cisco CyberOps.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protecti