Cyber Network Defense Analyst III

Nightwing; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Collaboration and teamwork environment

Job summary

A leading cybersecurity firm in Virginia is seeking a skilled Cyber Threat Hunter to enhance the security of critical information systems. The role demands expertise in cyber defense and digital forensics with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. Ideal candidates will possess an active TS/SCI clearance and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. The Cyber Threat Hunter will analyze network threats, perform forensic investigations, and support proactive risk remediation efforts, ultimately contributing to the safety of national cyber infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of direct relevant experience in cyber defense analysis.
• Ability to create forensically sound evidence duplicates.
• Proficiency in cybersecurity analysis and threat detection.

Responsibilities

• Correlate forensic findings to network events.
• Perform forensic triage of incidents.
• Document and escalate incidents affecting the environment.
• Analyze network traffic and identify threats.

Skills

Cyber defense analysis

Digital forensics

Proactive analysis

Collaborative problem solving

Identifying cyber threats

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

CrowdStrike

Splunk

Wireshark

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.

The DHS’s Hunt and Incident Response Team (HIRT) secures the Nation’s cyber and communications infrastructure. HIRT provides DHS’s front-line response for cyber incidents and proactively hunts for malicious cyber activity. Nightwing, as a prime contractor to DHS, performs HIRT investigations to develop a preliminary diagnosis of the severity of breaches. Nightwing provides HIRT remote and onsite advanced technical assistance, proactive hunting, Tier 2 and Tier 3 incident response, and immediate investigation and resolution using host-based, cloud-based and network-based cybersecurity analysis capabilities. Team personnel provide front line response for digital forensics/incident response (DFIR) at Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels along with proactively hunting for malicious cyber activity. We are seeking Cyber Threat Hunters to support this critical customer mission.

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 include determining 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 in support of forensic write-ups for inclusion in reports and written products
• Assist to document and publish 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's history, status, and potential impact for further action) that may cause ongoing and immediate impact to the environment
• Perform event correlation using information gathered from a variety of sources within the enterprise to gain situational awareness and determine the effectiveness of an observed attack
• 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 and determine possible causes of alerts
• Provide timely detection, identification, and alerting of possible attacks/intrusions, anomalous activities, and misuse activities and distinguish these incidents and events 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, effects on system 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 operating system (OS) fingerprinting/other baselining activities
• Assist in the construction of signatures which 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
• 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)
• Experience implementing incident handling methodologies

Desired Skills

• Understanding of SaaS, PaaS and IaaS in the Cloud Environment
• Proficiency with one or more of these 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 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) and Certifications GSEC (SANS401), Network+, Security+, CEH

Location

Arlington, VA

Company Overview

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.

Culture

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.

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.