Cyber Policy & Strategy Analyst with Security Clearance

Cornerstone Defense; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Generous PTO

401(k)

HSA/FSA

Life and Disability Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Travel Assistance

Lifelock benefits

Fitness Reimbursement

529 Plan

Job summary

Cornerstone Defense in Arlington, VA seeks a Cyber Policy & Strategy Analyst to support the Office of the Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor. The role requires active TS/SCI clearance and focuses on policy expertise, cyber workforce readiness, and enterprise-wide cyber initiatives between the Pentagon and Mark Center.

You will analyze complex cyber mission areas, shape department strategies, evaluate readiness, and advise senior leadership on mission-critical decisions while coordinating across DoD

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 15+ years of relevant experience in public policy or national security.
• Bachelor's degree with 18+ years of relevant experience.
• Graduate of a formal DoW/Joint cyber planning course (JCPC, JPME, or advanced warfighting schools such as SAMS, SAASS, SAW, JAWS).
• Experience supporting DCDC, USCYBERCOM, DoW CIO, or Service Cyber Component headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Inform OPCA leadership on cyberspace operations resourcing and support development, review, and execution of USCYBERCOM's contributions to the PPBE process, including POM and Budget Estimate Submission activities.
• Conduct strategic analysis to inform development, implementation, and refinement of cyber workforce, readiness, and operational policies across the Department of War.
• Support ODPCA leadership by assessing cyber force readiness, mission requirements, workforce priorities, and execution of Department-wide cyber initiatives.
• Evaluate the effectiveness, compliance, and performance of COF programs against statutory, policy, and operational standards; provide recommendations to senior leaders.
• Apply readiness standards, force requirements, mission essential tasks, and relevant metrics to determine joint force preparedness across assigned cyber warfighting mission areas.
• Conduct detailed analysis supporting USCYBERCOM's Joint Cyber Training and Joint Force Coordinator responsibilities, including readiness reporting and mission requirement validation.
• Provide analytical and executive-level support to ODPCA oversight of USCYBERCOM's cyber force design, force structure, command and control initiatives, and readiness activities.
• Support policy development for the defense of critical infrastructure, operational technology, control systems, and information systems across the Department.
• Provide technical and strategic support for Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), including evaluation of policies, strategies, operational concepts, personnel requirements, and organizational structures.
• Develop executive-level briefings, assessments, and recommendations communicating readiness findings, policy implications, and strategic guidance to senior DoW and cyber leadership.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert supporting enterprise cyber mission objectives, workforce readiness planning, and Department-level strategy development.

Skills

Cyber policy

Strategic planning

Policy development

Briefing executives

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Title: Cyber Policy & Strategy Analyst

Location: Arlington & Alexandria, VA

Compensation Range: $180 -$210K

• Clearance:
• Active TS/SCI needed to apply
• Company Overview: Cornerstone Defense is the Employer of Choice within the Intelligence, Defense, and Space communities of the U.S. Government. Realizing early on that our most prized assets are our employees, we continually focus our attention on improving the overall work/life experience they have supporting the mission. Our Team is pushed every day to use their industry leading knowledge to provide end-to-end solutions to combat our nation's toughest and most secure problems. If you are looking for a place to not only be professionally challenged, but encouraged and supported by a company that cares, don't look any further than Cornerstone Defense.
• Benefits Overview: Cornerstone Defense offers a very comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited to: Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Generous PTO Policy
• 401(k)
• HSA and FSA options
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement and Training
• Perks at Work Discount Program
• Referral Program
• Leads Generation Program
• CollegeAmerica 529
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• Travel Assistance
• Norton Lifelock Benefit Solutions
• Life Planning Financial & Legal Services
• Position Description: The Cyber Policy & Strategy Analyst supports the Office of the Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor (ODPCA) by providing high-level strategic analysis, policy expertise, and technical guidance for cyber workforce readiness, DCO capability development, and enterprise-wide cyber operations initiatives. In this role, you will analyze complex cyber mission areas, shape Department-level strategies and policies, evaluate readiness across Cyber Operations Forces, and advise senior leadership on mission-critical decisions. Working between the Pentagon and Mark Center, you serve as a trusted advisor helping the Department of War strengthen its cyber posture, operational readiness, and long-term strategic direction.
• Core Tasks :
• Inform OPCA leadership on cyberspace operations resourcing and support development, review, and execution of USCYBERCOM's contributions to the PPBE process, including POM and Budget Estimate Submission activities.
• Conduct strategic analysis to inform development, implementation, and refinement of cyber workforce, readiness, and operational policies across the Department of War.
• Support ODPCA leadership by assessing cyber force readiness, mission requirements, workforce priorities, and execution of Department-wide cyber initiatives.
• Evaluate the effectiveness, compliance, and performance of COF programs against statutory, policy, and operational standards; provide recommendations to senior leaders.
• Apply readiness standards, force requirements, mission essential tasks, and relevant metrics to determine joint force preparedness across assigned cyber warfighting mission areas.
• Conduct detailed analysis supporting USCYBERCOM's Joint Cyber Training and Joint Force Coordinator responsibilities, including readiness reporting and mission requirement validation.
• Provide analytical and executive-level support to ODPCA oversight of USCYBERCOM's cyber force design, force structure, command and control initiatives, and readiness activities.
• Support policy development for the defense of critical infrastructure, operational technology, control systems, and information systems across the Department.
• Provide technical and strategic support for Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), including evaluation of policies, strategies, operational concepts, personnel requirements, and organizational structures.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis across technical and operational cyber domains, generating actionable recommendations that shape senior-level decisions and strategic direction.
• Develop executive-level briefings, assessments, and recommendations communicating readiness findings, policy implications, and strategic guidance to senior DoW and cyber leadership.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert supporting enterprise cyber mission objectives, workforce readiness planning, and Department-level strategy development. Qualifications
• Master's degree with fifteen (15) years of relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree with eighteen (18) years of relevant experience in public policy, national security, STEM, or related field.
• Minimum ten (10) years supporting Department-level cyber strategic planning, policy development, and cyberspace operations.
• Graduate of a formal DoW/Joint cyber planning course (JCPC, JPME, or advanced warfighting schools such as SAMS, SAASS, SAW, JAWS).
• Experience supporting DCDC, USCYBERCOM, DoW CIO, or Service Cyber Component headquarters.
• Expert-level experience developing or reviewing DoW/DoD-level policy documents, directives, instructions, and high-level guidance.
• Ability to interpret and apply Title 10 authorities and DoW 8500/8140 cybersecurity and workforce policies.
• Deep understanding of DODIN operations, DCO, cyber C2 models, and translating strategic guidance into operational constructs.
• Expert-level understanding of maneuver warfare doctrine, campaign planning, and cyberspace operations within the Joint Planning Process (JPP).
• Proven ability to conduct complex strategic analysis, develop actionable recommendations, and advise senior leaders.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical support and strategic guidance in policy, strategy, and cyber operations. Preferred:
• Alignment with Defense Cyber Workforce Framework roles:
• Primary: 752 - Cyber Policy and Strategy Planner
• Secondary: 332 - Cyber Operations Planner