Principal Consultant, Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) (Remote)

Remote; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Generous PTO

Medical/Dental/Vision

401K matching

FSA/HSA

Parental leave

Professional development

Job summary

Surefire Cyber is seeking a Principal Consultant in Digital Forensics & Incident Response to lead high-stakes engagements remotely in the USA. You will detect, analyze, and guide remediation of complex cyber incidents, including ransomware and email compromise, while mentoring a team of 3–4 consultants.

You will collaborate with clients and internal teams to refine incident response processes, develop best practices, and provide after-hours support as needed, ensuring rapid, high-quality

Qualifications

• Seasoned cybersecurity professional with extensive DFIR experience.
• Proven track record managing investigations of varying sizes.
• Strong mentoring and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead DFIR engagements for clients across industries.
• Detect and analyze intrusions with guidance to clients.
• Provide after-hours support during incidents.
• Mentor Forensic team of 3-4 consultants.
• Document incident findings with supporting evidence.
• Develop and refine incident response processes.
• Stay current with latest forensic tools and techniques.
• Communicate complex findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

DFIR expertise

Client-facing

Forensic analysis

Incident response leadership

Mentoring

Communication skills

Education

Cybersecurity degree

IT degree

Industry certifications

Tools

ELK

Axiom

Encase

FTK

Open-source tools

Job description

Defining the future of work & living globally

5,639 jobs · 6 companies

Principal Consultant, Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) (Remote)

Surefire Cyber is redefining the incident response model by delivering a swifter, stronger response to cyber incidents such as ransomware, email compromise, malware, data theft, and other threats. Our client-centric approach reduces stress and provides clients the confidence needed to prepare, respond, and recover from cyber incidents – and fortify their cyber resilience after an event.

Surefire Cyber’s approach and delivery are designed by industry veterans who have worked shoulder-to- shoulder with law firms, insurance carriers, brokers, law enforcement, and impacted organizations in responding to cyber incidents. We are marshaling this experience to address the industry’s persistent challenges of efficiency, predictability, and transparency.

Job Title: Principal Consultant, Digital Forensics & Incident Response

Location: Remote (USA)

Role: Full time / Exempt

What Makes You Stand Out

You are a seasoned cybersecurity professional specializing in Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR), with extensive experience, including client-facing roles, sophisticated forensic analysis, and a proven track record of independently managing investigations of varying sizes and complexities. Committed to continuous learning, you actively seek opportunities to expand your knowledge base, contributing to the team's collective expertise.

In addition to technical proficiency, you excel at forensically guiding engagements and prioritizing competing priorities effectively. Demonstrated through a consistent delivery of high-quality results, your passion lies in mentoring colleagues and navigating the dynamic landscape of security incidents, showcasing a deep understanding of the evolving threat landscape.

How You'll Make An Impact

As a Principal Consultant, you will represent Surefire Cyber as a skilled technical forensic and consulting expert for clients across diverse industries during active incident response engagements. Leveraging your extensive experience and technical skills, you will play a pivotal role in detecting and analyzing intrusions, offering clear guidance to clients navigating high-pressure response situations, and providing after-hours support as needed.

Your Role In Action

Demonstrate genuine curiosity, a commitment to continuous learning, and contribute valuable insights to support the team's knowledge growth.

Forensically leadincident response engagements, working with other team members to guide clients through the entire incident response lifecycle from detection to recovery.

Conduct advanced forensic analysis to identify the scope and impact of security incidents meticulously and precisely, including malware analysis and reverse engineering when necessary.

Independently manage investigationsranging in size and complexity such as Business Email Compromises and Ransomware engagements.

Provide career development for a Forensic team consisting of 3-4 Consultants/Senior Consultants, by investing in their professional development conducting regular one-on-oneconversations and providing guidance and recommendations on training opportunities.

Identify, articulate, and explain attack vectors, threat tactics, and attacker techniques to guide mitigation and prevention efforts.

Convey complex forensic findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders clearly and understandably.

Provide comprehensive supporting evidence for written reports detailing incident findings, and analysis.

Review, provide well thought out input, and provide guidance to other team members on forensic reports.

Collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and clients to refine and document incident response processes and best practices.

Spearheadresearch and development activities to stay up to date with the latest forensic tools, techniques, and methodologies.

Contribute to the development of internal processes and support broader organizational initiatives.

Provide after-hours (on-call/weekend rotational) support as required to address critical incidents and maintain continuous coverage.

Your Expertise

Experience in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, related degree, industry certifications, or former professional experience as a Senior or Principal Forensic Consultant, Senior or PrincipalCybersecurity Consultant, or as a Senior or Principal Incident Responder.

Hold industry certifications or showcase equivalent professional experience as a Principal Consultant, highlighting a profound mastery of Digital Forensics and Incident Response.

Previous experience in leading the forensic workstreams and teams ranging from 3-4 in size on complex investigations.

Demonstrate advanced proficiency in utilizing common digital forensic artifacts and tools such as ELK, Axiom, Encase, FTK (Forensic Toolkit), Open-Source, or comparable industry-standard tools.

Showcase professional experience in the effective use of network analysis and intrusion detection tools, exemplifying a deep understanding of their application in cybersecurity.

Possess in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity principles and best practices, underlining a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of the cybersecurity landscape.

Exhibit excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail, displaying an ability to navigate complex challenges with precision and thoroughness.

Demonstrate the ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple competing priorities, and consistently meet tight deadlines, reflecting resilience and efficiency in high-stakes scenarios.

Display exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, ensuring the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and comprehensively.

Express eagerness to mentor, share knowledge, and actively contribute to the expansion of the team's expertise, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.

Exhibit the capability to provide after-hours (on-call/weekend rotational) support as required, demonstrating a commitment to addressing critical incidents promptly and maintaining continuous coverage.

Interview Process

Preliminary phone interview with the Talent & People Team (approx., 30 minutes)

Virtual /Teams Technical interview with Engagement Leads (approx., 60 minutes)

Virtual/Teams interview with Chief Delivery Officer and an Engagement Lead (approx., 45 minutes)

Virtual/Teams interview with CEO (Chief Executive Officer) (approx., 30 minutes)

Please note that we reserve the right to modify the process at any time.

Benefits for Full-Time Surefire Cyber Team Members

Competitive compensation plan and equity for all team members

Generous paid time off plan and floating holidays

Employer paid premiums for both team members and their dependents for medical, dental, and vision

Comprehensive health, vision, dental, 401K matching program, disability, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Life and AD&D benefits.

Paid parental leave

Professional development and career advancement opportunities

We prioritize employee growth and development through a robust performance management platform to provide ongoing coaching, clear feedback, recognition, and opportunities for career growth

Surefire Cyber is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.