Cyber Defense Analyst

Leidos; Suitland (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 protecting TS/SCI networks in Suitland, MD. You will monitor security tools, investigate alerts, and contribute to proactive threat hunting, incident response, and intelligence analysis.

Ideal candidates have 4+ years in cybersecurity, hands-on experience with SIEMs, NIDPS, and scripting, and hold an active TS/SCI clearance. The role offers challenging work at a premier government contractor with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Information Assurance, or related area desired, with 4+ years of experience.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Concentrated experience in the CND discipline, regardless of degree.
• Professional experience monitoring and investigating alerts from cybersecurity tools.
• Experience with SIEMs such as Splunk and Elastic.
• Experience with NIDPS (Cisco FirePower, Palo Alto NGFW) and host tools (Trellix ePO, Defender, Tanium).
• Knowledge of scripting languages (Python, Perl, Ruby, JavaScript, PowerShell, C, C++, Java).
• Knowledge of penetration testing tools (Kali, SamuraiWTF, Nmap, Burp Suite, sqlmap, Metasploit).
• Knowledge of ticketing systems, reporting, and intelligence gathering in cybersecurity.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform first-line monitoring of security tools and initial analysis of alerts for TS/SCI networks (JWICS, ATLAS).
• Monitor cybersecurity tools for alerts, anomalies, and indicators of compromise.
• Investigate and perform initial technical analysis of cybersecurity alerts, escalating to Tier 2 as needed.
• Create, update, and manage incident/even tickets in the ticketing system.
• Conduct proactive threat hunting to identify malicious activity and emerging threats.
• 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

CND discipline

SIEM (Splunk/Elastic)

NIDPS (FirePower / Palo Alto)

Trellix ePO / Defender / Tanium

Python

PowerShell

JavaScript

C

C++

Java

Perl

Ruby

Kali

Burp Suite

Nmap

Metasploit

sqlmap

Threat hunting

Ticketing systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity or related field

Tools

Splunk

Elastic

Cisco FirePower

Palo Alto NGFW

Trellix ePO

Microsoft Defender

Tanium

Kali Linux

Burp Suite

Nmap

Metasploit

sqlmap

Job description

Description

Cyber Defense Analyst

Location: Suitland, MD Clearance: Active TS/SCI

Leidos is seeking a Cyber Defense Analyst to join a mission focused team supporting the Navy's cybersecurity environment 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 4+ years of experience. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Concentrated experience in the CND discipline, regardless of degree.
• 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 active certifications: CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Cloud+, CEH, FITSP-O, GIAC GMON, GIAC GRID, GIAC GCIA, GIAC GCIH, GIAC GICSP, GIAC GCED, GIAC GDSA, GIAC GSEC, CFR, 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 onlyand 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 Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave
• Retirement

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.