Cyber Network Forensic Analyst III

Nightwing; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401k plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Nightwing in Arlington, VA seeks a Network Forensics Analyst to support a U.S. Government client with on-site incident response, investigating breaches, assessing severity, and helping restore services.

The role requires active TS/SCI clearance, 8+ years in network investigations, deep CND, TCP/IP knowledge, and hands-on SIEM/PCAP analysis skills. Join a mission-driven team delivering critical cyber defense capabilities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of direct experience in network investigations.
• In-depth knowledge of CND policies, procedures and regulations.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP and common network protocols.
• Ability to analyze network traffic and identify anomalies.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the Government lead in preliminary incident response investigations.
• Interface with the customer on site and coordinate teams across locations.
• Determine actions in response to anomalous network activity discovered.
• Assess topology and device configurations for security concerns and best practices.
• Publish CND guidance and incident findings to appropriate constituencies.
• Collect network intrusion artifacts and enable mitigation of incidents.
• Analyze malicious activity to identify exploitation methods and impacts.
• Support real-time CND incident handling and remediation tasks.

Skills

U.S. Citizenship

Active TS/SCI clearance

8+ years network investigations

CND policies knowledge

TCP/IP protocols knowledge

HTTP/S DNS SSH

WiFi networking

Network topologies

Splunk

ATT&CK knowledge

Education

BS in Computer Science/Cyber Security/CS Engineering

Tools

Splunk SIEM

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.

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.

Nightwing is supporting a U.S. Government customer to provide support for onsite incident response to civilian Government agencies and critical asset owners who experience cyber-attacks, providing immediate investigation and resolution. Contract personnel perform investigations to characterize of the severity of breaches, develop mitigation plans, and assist with the restoration of services. Nightwing is seeking a Network Forensics Analyst 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
• Assists with the writing and publishing of Computer Network Defense guidance and reports on incident findings to appropriate constituencies
• 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
• 8+ 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 designing cyber security systems and environments in a Linux and/or Windows environment
• Proficiency with virtualized environments

Required Education:
BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, or related degree; or HS Diploma & 10+ years of network investigations experience.

Desired Certifications

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

Arlington, VA

Salary & Benefits

The salary associated with this position ($99,000-$206,000) is commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, and demonstrated level of expertise. Compensation will be determined based on these factors to ensure alignment with skills, responsibilities, and market standards.

Nightwingoffers medical, vision and dental insurance coverage in addition to a 401k plan, PTO, Holidays, and additional insurances.

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.