Incident Response Analyst

Leidos; Virginia, Arlington (MN, TX); Remote; USD 85,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a Senior Incident Response Analyst to join their dynamic team. This role is crucial in supporting the Department of Homeland Security's cyber defense efforts. You will coordinate investigations, analyze cyber incidents, and develop incident response processes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in incident response, operating systems, and scripting, along with excellent problem-solving and communication skills. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to national security while working in a collaborative and innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in incident detection and response, malware analysis, or computer forensics.
• Strong knowledge of the Incident Response lifecycle and cyber threats.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate investigation and response efforts throughout the Incident Response lifecycle.
• Document Investigation and Incident Response actions in Case Management Systems.

Skills

Incident Response Lifecycle

Operating Systems (Windows/Linux)

Cyber Kill Chain

Scripting (Python, PowerShell, Bash)

Problem-solving

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

EDR

IDS

SIEM

Job description

Description

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

The Digital Modernization Sector brings together our digital transformation and IT programs, allowing us to better serve our customers through scale and repeatability. Leidos has a critical need for an Incident Response Analyst to support DHS.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Security Operations Center (SOC) Support Services is a US Government program responsible for monitoring, detecting, analyzing, mitigating, and responding to cyber threats and adversarial activity on the DHS Enterprise. The DHS SOC has primary responsibility for monitoring and responding to security events and incidents detected at the Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) and Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) and is responsible for directing and coordinating detection and response activities performed by each Component SOC.

Leidos is seeking a Senior Incident Response Analyst to join our team on this highly visible DHS CISA SOC Program.

The Incident Responder will perform the following:

1. Coordinate investigation and response efforts throughout the Incident Response lifecycle.
2. Correlate and analyze events and data to determine the scope of Cyber Incidents.
3. Acquire and analyze endpoint and network artifacts, volatile memory, malicious files/binaries, and scripts.
4. Recognize attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures as potential indicators of compromise (IOCs) that can be used to improve monitoring, analysis, and Incident Response.
5. Develop, document, and maintain Incident Response processes, procedures, workflows, and playbooks.
6. Tune and maintain security tools (EDR, IDS, SIEM, etc.) to reduce false positives and improve SOC detection capabilities.
7. Document Investigation and Incident Response actions taken in Case Management Systems and prepare formal Incident Reports.
8. Create metrics and determine Key Performance Indicators to drive the maturity of SOC operations.
9. Develop security content such as scripts, signatures, and alerts.

The ideal candidate will possess:

1. In-depth knowledge of each phase of the Incident Response lifecycle.
2. Expertise in Operating Systems (Windows/Linux) operations and artifacts.
3. Understanding of Enterprise Network Architectures, including routing/switching, common protocols (DHCP, DNS, HTTP, etc.), and devices (Firewalls, Proxies, Load Balancers, VPN, etc.).
4. Ability to recognize suspicious activity/events, common attacker TTPs, and perform logical analysis and research to determine root cause and scope of Incidents.
5. Familiarity with Cyber Kill Chain and experience utilizing the ATT&CK Framework.
6. Scripting experience with Python, PowerShell, and/or Bash.
7. Ability to independently prioritize and complete multiple tasks with little to no supervision.
8. Flexible and adaptable self-starter with strong relationship-building skills.
9. Strong problem-solving abilities with an analytic and qualitative eye for reasoning.
10. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
11. Ability to communicate with all levels of audiences (subordinates, peers & leadership).

Basic Qualifications

1. All Department of Homeland Security SOC employees are required to favorably pass a 5-year (BI) Background Investigation.
2. Experience in the areas of incident detection and response, malware analysis, or computer forensics.
3. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Cyber Security, or related field and 4-8 years of related experience. Additional years of experience and cyber certifications may be considered in lieu of a degree.
4. Should have at least one of the following certifications: SANS GIAC: GCIH, GCIA, GCFA, GPEN, GCFE, GREM; CISSP, OSCP, OSCE, OSWP.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in cyber government and/or federal law enforcement FISMA systems.

Original Posting Date:

2025-01-24

While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $85,150.00 - $153,925.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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