Cyber Network Defense Analyst III

Nightwing Intelligence Solutions, LLC; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Nightwing Intelligence Solutions, LLC is seeking a Cyber Defense Analyst in Sterling, Virginia, to perform forensic analysis, incident response, and provide expertise in cyber threats.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cyber defense, a TS/SCI clearance, and a strong educational background in computer science or cybersecurity. This role offers opportunities to work on high-impact projects within the Department of Homeland Security's team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of direct relevant experience in cyber defense analysis.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• Ability to work collaboratively across locations.

Responsibilities

• Correlate forensic findings to network events.
• Perform forensic triage of incidents.
• Document and escalate incidents effectively.

Skills

Cyber defense analysis

Forensic analysis

Incident handling methodologies

Operating system proficiency

Education

BS in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or related

Tools

CrowdStrike

SentinelOne

EnCase

Job description

Nightwing is a prime contractor for the Department of Homeland Security’s Hunt and Incident Response Team (HIRT), delivering cyber threat hunting, incident response, and forensic investigations.

Responsibilities

• 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 determine scope, urgency, and potential impact.
• Track and document forensic analysis from initial participation through resolution.
• Coordinate with government staff and customer personnel to validate/investigate alerts or additional preliminary findings.
• Conduct analysis of forensic images and available evidence to support forensic write‑ups for inclusion in reports and written products.
• Assist in documenting and publishing Computer Network Defense (CND) guidance and reports pertaining to incident findings.
• Characterize and analyze network traffic to identify anomalous activity and potential threats to network resources.
• Coordinate with enterprise‑wide cyber defense staff to validate network alerts.
• Document and escalate incidents (including event history, status, and potential impact) that may cause ongoing and immediate impact to the environment.
• Perform event correlation using information from a variety of sources within the enterprise to gain situational awareness and assess the effectiveness of observed attacks.
• Provide daily summary reports of network/host events and activity relevant to cyber defense practices.
• Receive and analyze network & host alerts from various sources within the enterprise to determine possible causes of alerts.
• Provide timely detection, identification, and alerting of possible attacks, intrusions, anomalous activities, and misuse, distinguishing these from benign activities.
• Use cyber defense tools for continual monitoring and analysis of system activity to identify malicious activity.
• Analyze identified malicious activity to determine weaknesses exploited, exploitation methods, and effects on systems and information.
• Identify and analyze anomalies in network traffic using metadata.
• Identify applications and operating systems of a network device based on network traffic.
• Identify network mapping and OS fingerprinting or other baselining activities.
• Assist in the construction of signatures that can be implemented on cyber defense network tools in response to new or observed threats within the network environment or enclave.

Required Skills / Clearances

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Ability to obtain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry on Duty (EOD) Suitability.
• 5+ years of direct relevant experience in cyber defense analysis using leading‑edge technologies and industry‑standard cyber defense tools.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to work collaboratively across physical locations.
• Action‑oriented and proactive problem‑solving approach.
• Proficiency with common operating systems (e.g., Linux/Unix, Windows).
• Experience implementing incident handling methodologies.

Desired Skills

• Understanding of SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS in cloud environments.
• Proficiency with one or more of the following EDR tools: CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Cortex, MS MDE, or Trellix.
• Proficiency with two or more of the following tools:
  • Host forensics software (EnCase, FTK, X‑Ways, Sleuth Kit/Autopsy)
  • SIFT
  • Volatility
  • KAPE
  • WireShark
  • Splunk
  • Elastic
• Proficiency conducting all‑source research.

Required Education

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

Desired Certifications

• GCFE, GCFA, GCLD, GCPS, GCPN, GWEB, GIRD, GREM, GNFA, GCIH, GCIA, GSEC
• Kubernetes Security Specialist
• Microsoft 365 Certifications
• Microsoft Azure Certifications

AWS Certifications

SANS Cloud Courses (SEC541, SEC584, SEC588)

GSEC (SANS401)

Network+, Security+, CEH

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.