Cyber Network Defense Analyst (CNDA) Level III–Forensics

argocyber; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Argo Cyber Systems, LLC is seeking a Cyber Network Defense Analyst (CNDA) Level III - Forensics to join our mission-focused team. The role supports government-led DFIR efforts with remote and on-site engagements, leveraging host-, network-, and cloud-based capabilities.

You will coordinate incident response activities, analyze anomalous network traffic, and collect forensic artifacts to drive rapid remediation. A TS/SCI clearance and strong CND background are required.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• 5+ years of directly relevant experience in network investigations.
• In depth knowledge of CND policies, procedures and regulations.
• In depth knowledge of TCP/IP protocols and common network services.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Government lead in coordinating teams in preliminary incident response investigations.
• Assists the Government lead with interfacing with the customer while on site.
• Determines appropriate courses of action in response to identified and analyzed anomalous network activity.
• Assesses network topology and device configurations identifying critical security concerns and providing security best practice recommendations.
• Collects network intrusion artifacts (e.g., PCAP, domains, URI's, certificates) and uses data to enable mitigation of potential CN D incidents.
• Analyzes identified malicious network activity to determine weaknesses exploited and effects on systems.
• Collects network device integrity data and analyzes for signs of tampering or compromise.
• Assists with real-time CND incident handling tasks to support onsite engagements.

Skills

CND policies

TCP/IP protocols

MITRE ATT&CK

Incident response coordination

Network investigations

Education

BS Computer Science or related

HS Diploma + 7-9 years network investigations experience

Tools

Splunk

Wireshark

PCAP analysis

Job description

Cyber Network Defense Analyst (CNDA) Level III - Forensics

Location: Remote / Onsite (as required)
Clearance: Active TS/SCI (DHS EOD eligibility required)
Company: Argo Cyber Systems, LLC - A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

About Argo Cyber Systems

Argo Cyber Systems delivers advanced cybersecurity and threat-hunting capabilities to safeguard federal and critical infrastructure environments. Our teams provide rapid incident response, digital forensics, proactive hunt operations, and continuous cyber defense across host-based, network-based, and cloud-based systems. We combine mission experience with innovation-empowering our customers to detect, disrupt, and defeat adversaries in real time.

Position Overview

Argo Cyber provides remote and onsite advanced technical assistance, proactive hunting, rapid onsite incident response, and immediate investigation and resolution using host-based, network-based and cloud-based cybersecurity analysis capabilities. Team personnel provide front line response for digital forensics/incident response (DFIR) and proactively hunting for malicious cyber activity. We are seeking Cyber Network Defense Analysts (CNDA) to support this critical customer mission.

Argo Cyber provides remote and onsite advanced technical assistance, proactive hunting, rapid onsite incident response, and immediate investigation and resolution using host-based, network-based and cloud-based cybersecurity analysis capabilities. Team personnel provide front line response for digital forensics/incident response (DFIR) and proactively hunting for malicious cyber activity. We are seeking Cyber Network Defense Analysts (CNDA) to support this critical customer mission.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Government lead in coordinating teams in preliminary incident response investigations
• Assists the Government lead with interfacing with the customer while on site
• Determines appropriate courses of actions in response to identified and analyses anomalous network activity
• Assesses network topology and device configurations identifying critical security concerns and providing security best practice recommendations
• Collects network intrusion artifacts (e.g., PCAP, domains, URI's, certificates, etc.) and uses discovered data to enable mitigation of potential Computer Network Defense incidents
• Analyzes identified malicious network activity to determine weaknesses exploited, exploitation methods, effects on system and information
• Collects network device integrity data and analyze for signs of tampering or compromise
• Assists with real-time CND incident handling (i.e., forensic collections, intrusion correlation and tracking, threat analysis, and advising on system remediation) tasks to support onsite engagements

Required Skills

• U.S. Citizenship
• Must have an active TS/SCI clearance
• Must be able to obtain DHS Suitability
• 5+ years of directly relevant experience in network investigations
• In depth knowledge of CND policies, procedures and regulations
• In depth knowledge of TCP/IP protocols
• In depth knowledge of standard protocols – ICMP, HTTP/S, DNS, SSH, SMTP, SMB, NFS, etc.
• In depth knowledge and experience of Wifi networking
• In depth knowledge and experience of network topologies - DMZ's, WAN's, etc.
• Substantial knowledge of Splunk (or other SIEM's)
• Understanding of MITRE Adversary Tactics, Techniques and Common Knowledge (ATT&CK)
• Knowledge of Computer Network Defense policies, procedures, and regulations
• Knowledge of defense-in-depth principles and general attack stages with respect to network security architecture
• Ability to characterize and analyze network traffic to identify anomalous activity and potential threats to network resources
• Ability to identify and analyze anomalies in network traffic using metadata
• Experience with reconstructing a malicious attack or activity based on network traffic
• Experience examining network topologies to understand data flows through the network
• Must be able to work collaboratively across physical locations

Desired Skills

• Substantial knowledge of network device integrity concepts and methodologies
• Proficiency with network analysis software (e.g. Wireshark)
• Proficiency with carving and extracting information from PCAP data
• Proficiency with non-traditional network traffic (e.g. Command and Control)
• Proficiency with preserving evidence integrity according to standard operating procedures or national standards
• Proficiency with virtualized environments

Required Education

• BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, or related degree; or HS Diploma & 7-9 years of network investigations experience.

Desired Certifications

• DoD 8140.01 IAT Level II, IASAE II, CSSP Analyst, GCIA, GCIH, CSSP Analyst/CSSP Incident Responder, CEH
• SANS GIAC GNFA preferred

Why Argo Cyber Systems

At Argo, you'll be part of a mission-driven, veteran-founded cybersecurity team protecting America's most critical systems. We combine hands-on technical excellence with operational precision to outpace the threat. Join us to defend, detect, and innovate at the cyber edge.